Information for Employers Offering Internships to SUU Students

Establishing A Partnership With SUU

We have a talented student body with 150+ majors eager to participate in internships. To connect with our students and share your opportunities, email us at cpdinternships@suu.edu.

Sharing Your Internship With Students

To get the widest reach possible across campus, sign up for our online recruiting system called Handshake. To join Handshake and connect with SUU, please visit app.joinhandshake.com and create a new account.

Additionally, we host a Career and Internship Fair each fall and spring semester, offering a great opportunity to engage with students in person. If you're interested in attending one of these fairs, you can sign up on Handshake or reach out to careercenter@suu.edu. 

If A Student Wants To Earn Credit For An Internship

Step 1:

If your internship is a paid internship, no formal agreement is needed. (Move to step 2)

If your internship is an unpaid internship, you will need to follow these steps:

• Complete the Master Internship Agreement to formalize your partnership with SUU.
• If you are unsure if your company/entity has completed this form, reach out to cpdinternships@suu.edu

Master Internship Agreement Form

Step 2:

• Once you have offered a student an internship opportunity, encourage them to begin the application process by speaking with their SUU Academic Internship Coordinator. 

Step 3:

• As part of the application process for internship credit, the site supervisor will receive the Internship Learning Agreement form, which must be signed by the Site Supervisor, the SUU Academic Internship Coordinator, and the Student.
• Additionally, the Site Supervisor will work with the student to establish clear learning objectives that align with the student's academic goals and provide a well-defined job description.

Step 4:

• Site Supervisor must provide supervision as a professional with expertise in the field, ensuring that students receive mentoring, guidance, and feedback throughout the internship that aligns with the learning objectives.

Compliance 

To be compliant with Internship Criteria, the internship experience must meet several educational criteria to be eligible for academic credit:

• Extend classroom learning into a practical, real-world setting.
• Create learning objectives in collaboration with the student.
• Ensure that the skills and knowledge gained are transferable to other employment settings.
• Define the internship’s start and end dates, along with a job description and desired qualifications.
• Offer regular feedback and student evaluations as requested by the university.
• Provide the necessary resources, equipment, and facilities to support the learning objectives.

If A Student Does Not Want To Earn Credit For An Internship

There is no formal agreement or paperwork required.

• The Internship Provider and Site Supervisor do not need to sign a formal agreement with SUU or complete any university paperwork.
• General Employer Responsibilities:
  • While no formal university agreements are needed, employers must still provide a safe work environment and comply with all relevant labor laws and non-discrimination policies.

Unpaid Internships

As a general rule, we recommend offering paid internships to ensure that all students, regardless of their financial situation, have equal access to valuable work experiences. Paid internships help to attract a wider and more diverse pool of applicants, increase student engagement, and generally result in higher levels of commitment and performance.

However, if your organization is considering offering an unpaid internship, it's crucial to ensure that the internship meets the legal requirements set forth by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This includes adhering to the "Primary Beneficiary Test," which is used to determine whether the intern or the employer is the primary beneficiary of the internship arrangement.