Employer Resources

Internship FAQ

A practical work experience or project, given by a designated supervisor
An opportunity to observe, contribute, and rotate through the different parts of the department/organization
Career connections, mentorship, and networking opportunities within the organization/industry
Training, either “formal” or on-the-job along with constructive, ongoing feedback for personal and professional development

Find future employees: An internship program is a year-round recruiting tool. With fall internships,
summer internships, semester internships, and quarterly internships, implementing an intern program means you have an ongoing pipeline of future full-time employees.
Cost-effective: Hiring an intern is a cost-effective opportunity to evaluate potential future employees. An internship program allows you to benefit from added manpower while more accurately assessing candidates.
Increase visibility: Recruiting and hiring for an intern provides enhanced visibility and branding to the 46,000+ students on the University of Houston campus. If your organization impresses one class of interns, word will quickly spread. Enthusiasm for your field and your organization will increase.
Foster leadership skills in current employees: Mentoring and guiding others often motivates employees to hold themselves more accountable and become effective leaders. In this way, adding interns to your company can enhance and multiply leadership.
Give back to the community: Creating an internship program is an excellent way to give back. Hiring interns not only helps students in your community get started; it enhances the local workforce as a whole.

Completed during an academic semester or summer; at least 6 weeks
Summer internships traditionally run from the middle of May/June to the beginning/middle of August

Starting at minimum wage (TX 2020 rate: $7.25 per hour) to $25 per hour
- Average - $15-$20 per hour
- NACE internship salary information
Unpaid interns
- NACE statement on unpaid internships
- S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division

Assess the needs of your organization and determine what you hope to achieve from an internship program
Define the aspects that will make an internship an educational, interesting, and rewarding experience
Draft a job description that clearly explains the duties and the role the intern would play as part of your organization

Treat the job posting as an opportunity to showcase the internship and your company.
Provide an accurate overview of the internship position’s responsibilities, work assignments, and time frame.
Include: Position title, location, hours required, primary duties, necessary qualifications, compensation, how to apply, and deadline.
Example internship job description

Send a welcome email prior to the first day, welcoming them and providing 1st-day expectations
Orient the intern to your organization; provide a tour, go over organizational structure or culture and discuss expectations
Identify goals for the intern or tangible deliverables
Provide the intern with an evaluation and feedback on their performance

Additional Internship Resources:

coming soon

coming soon