04/10/2018

Consider Columbus State Community College When Seeking Interns

Business and IT students are available to assist your organization

Internship programs provide a work force of experienced graduates for business and industry. An internship experience also provides employment screening - the employer has the opportunity to observe students and evaluate their suitability for full-time employment. Internships are completed for credit and most programs require internship completion for graduation. 

You will find that students at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) are motivated individuals who are committed to their career goals. State-of-the-art curriculums, which in many instances are taught by practicing professionals, provide our students with a practical education and help prepare them for the work environment.

Students are responsible for securing opportunities. The internship coordinator or faculty instructor can assist in identifying available opportunities; however, the student must apply, interview and be offered employment from the company to ultimately obtain a position. CSCC faculty members have final approval over the internship opportunity and are responsible with ensuring the position is a strong educational experience. 

According to the NACE Experimental Education Survey, more than half of interns are converted to full-time employees. Additionally, more than one-third of employers reported higher retention among those converted from intern to employee within the first year of hire, and nearly half said former interns had higher retention five years after hire.

An internship employer, referred to as a “mentor," provides CSCC students a needed measure of guidance in applying textbook theories and concepts to real world business situations. Feedback and praise should be provided to the student to help constructively build their professional skills. Ideally, internships should be project-oriented rather than job-oriented.

CSCC strongly emphasizes to all potential interns the importance of following all company policies and procedures. The college also stresses the importance of confidentially. It is important that the employer take the time to explain key policies and procedures at the onset of the internship. The intern should be treated as any permanent employee. Students should be above-average employees. It is expected they will exemplify dependability, enthusiasm, a sense of urgency, drive, maturity, leadership, and be a team player.  

The student must work a minimum number of hours a week to fulfill the course requirements. This varies based on the degree program, but most average 21 hours per week.  There can be flexibility in the hours; please contact Wendy McWherter, the internship program coordinator for more information at wmcwherter@cscc.edu. CSCC emphasizes to perspective interns the importance of flexibility and the importance of meeting the employer’s requirements, however, many of these students may be taking additional courses to work around. Please be sure to discuss the student’s availability as well as your acceptable hours when interviewing candidates.

To learn more about the program and see if it might fit your needs, please select this link to download a PDF that explains the program in much more detail.