STUDENT HANDBOOK
for the
INTERNSHIP
AND
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

University of Wisconsin-Madison
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Internship/Cooperative Education
116 Agriculture Hall/1450 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
608-262-3460
career@cals.wisc.edu

related information:
- Internship agreement form
- Current Internships
- Field Supervisor Fact Sheet

INTERNSHIP HANDBOOK

Almost all employers tell us that professional experience, communication and practical decision making skills are some of the most important factors they evaluate when hiring new personnel. It is the goal of the CALS Internship program to provide students with these skills for their chosen career. The program is designed to meet the diverse needs of the student body in the College. Internships can be set up for the summer, spring or fall semesters. Full and part-time programs are possible. This handbook is a guide to the purpose, procedures and policies for the CALS Internship program which will provide the framework for you to build a program that best fits your needs.

This booklet is divided into three sections from which you can pick and choose the parts most helpful to you. First is a checklist to help you keep track of the steps involved with the program. Next you will find a planning guide which will help to focus your search for an internship placement. The last portion of this booklet deals with specific policies for the Internship program and issues you need to consider before beginning your internship program.

The CALS Career Services Office in room 116 Agriculture Hall is available to help you plan your program. CALS Internships are academic programs so it is critical that you identify an advisor from CALS to work with as you plan and select your program. Remember the best internship opportunities require prior planning and will take some effort on the part of the student. This booklet is just the start of your planning process. Let us know how we can help.

CALS Career Services Staff 116 Agriculture Hall 1450 Linden Drive Madison WI 53706 (608) 262-3460

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• Step One: Develop a Target
  (2-3 semesters before starting an Internship)
  1. What is your Career Objective?
  2. What skills do you need to improve or strengthen to help you reach your career objective?
  3. How will an Internship help you improve your skills?
  4. What would be an ideal internship for you?
     
     
• Step Two: Prepare for your Internship Search
  (2 months before your Internship)
  1. Register with CALS Career Services using Disc Resume, if you are on campus E-Mail you will then receive updates of Internship Opportunities received by CALS Career Services.
  2. Take advantage of workshops on interviewing, resume writing, and other programs offered by CALS Career Services, your department or others to prepare for a job search.
     
     
• Step Three: Explore Opportunities
  (1-2 months before you Internship)
  1. Get suggestions from your advisor and others in your department
  2. Identify opportunities held by past intern students that may fit your target (hint: check CALS Career Services files)
  3. Check out posted Internship opportunities and agencies scheduled to interview on campus
  4. Use CALS Career Services Office files, Steenbock Library, and other resources to identify companies, agencies and organizations that may provide an opportunity for you. Remember many Internships are never formally posted! You can create opportunities!
  5. Attend the CALS Career and Internship Expo held each Fall
     
     
• Step Four: Set your priorities
  1. List in rank order the possibilities you have discovered
  2. Research your priority possibilities to the fullest extent
  3. Determine the best way to contact your best possibilities and make the contacts. Follow through on favorable responses. Be persistent with your priority possibilities.

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Internship Questions and Answers
A quick guide to Internship 399

What is an Internship?

An Internship is a cooperative learning activity to provide a student with non-classroom professional experience related to their career goals. An Internship is not the same as a part time job or other work experience. It is a course of study.

Why should I participate in an Internship Program?

• To gain practical experience in your professional area of training by bridging the gap between applied and academic worlds in your major and specialization areas. Intern students will often have opportunities to learn and participate in activities on the job which would not be possible under regular employment.
• To "try on" a career to ensure your career plans are on track.
• To develop communication, interpersonal, leadership and other important skills that employers and graduate schools seek when selecting new employees or students.

What students are eligible for the Internship Program?

An Internship is an academic program open to all CALS students with at least 24 credits. Programs may be established for any academic term on a full or part-time basis.

How is academic credit earned?

Academic credit for an internship is related to the hours of work experience, learning objectives and the needs of the individual student. Credit for a given internship is by agreement between the student and the faculty advisor within the following policy guidelines for the program:

• Students must have at least 80 hours of work experience for each credit earned. CALS Career Services will monitor internship agreements to meet this minimum standard.
• It is recommended that credit be assigned on the basis of one credit for each 80 to 160 hours of work experience. Total credit awarded is by agreement between the faculty advisor and the student as long as the minimum standard above is met. Example: A student doing an internship which has a total of 360 hours of work experience can register for 1 to 4 credits.
• A maximum of 8 credits can be applied toward your graduation. Your major department has the option to determine where the credit can apply. Consult you advisor if you have questions on application of internship credits

Who determines the academic requirements for an internship?

As with any other academic program the Internship requires the development of learning objectives for the program, activities to allow the student to obtain the objectives and a method of evaluation to determine if the objectives have been accomplished. The Intern program is unique because it is designed around a "Team" concept. "The Team" rather than the instructor has the responsibility for the development of the program within guidelines established by the College. The Team consists of the student, a faculty advisor from CALS and a field supervisor from the cooperating work site.

What are the student's responsibilities for the internship program?

• Initiating the internship program.
• Working out a program of learning with the field supervisor in cooperation with and approval of the faculty advisor.
• Following through with a written Internship Agreement Form for all participants to sign prior to registration for the 399 course.
• Registration for the course and paying all applicable tuition and university fees.
• Once the internship has begun, students are responsible for two types of reports:
  
  Progress Reports: A required progress report will be due at the end of the first two weeks of the Internship using form provided by CALS Career Services. This report will provide your advisor and Career Services with some key information to help us assure that your internship is off to a good start and you will be able to accomplish your goals for the program. Additional progress reports may be assigned by your faculty advisor. The recommended guideline is one report per credit or per month - whichever is most.
  
  Final Report: You will be expected to submit a final report at the end of the internship to your faculty advisor for evaluation and grading of your experience. You will also be asked to provide copies of the report to your field supervisor and to CALS Career Services for student reference. Due dates for the final report are set by agreement between the student and the faculty advisor. Special Note: in order for a grade to be recorded for a given academic period your grades must be submitted within regular class guidelines. Students who take incomplete for their internships will not be eligible for Dean's List for that semester. An incomplete taken in your final semester may also affect graduation.

What are the responsibilities of the faculty advisor?

The faculty advisor is usually your regular academic advisor, however you may have any CALS faculty advisor work with you on your internship if that person has expertise in an area more in line with your objectives and agrees to do so.

Advisor responsibilities include:

• Assist in planning your program and approving the learning objectives, number of progress reports and due dates, and the final report format and due date.
• Observe the intern's progress by making on-the-job visits and/or phone contacts during the internship.
• Evaluate your experience and submit the course grade to the appropriate University Office.

What is the role of the Field Supervisor?

The Field Supervisor should be the person who will supervise you on a daily basis throughout your Internship. The role of the business or agency field supervisor is to:

• Help plan and assign your on-site work to allow you to meet your learning objectives and opportunities.
• Provide the student with thorough training in the proper operation and maintenance of any equipment or machinery to be used during the internship.
• Complete an evaluation of the student's performance (the form will be supplied by CALS Career Services). Field supervisors are encouraged to review the evaluation form with the student.

What role does CALS Career Services play in the Internship program?

CALS Career Services is responsible for providing any needed assistance to students, the faculty advisors and the field supervisors in developing a good internship plan and in maintaining program integrity.

As the program facilitator, CALS Career Services functions as the contact point for program participants. The office assists students with job searches, career counseling, and other special items. Faculty advisors can get assistance with identifying intern opportunities for students and in making field contacts to check on performances of the students and their internship learning opportunities. The office also serves as a clearing house for organizations seeking intern students.

What other items may you need to consider before beginning your Internship?

• How to Dress: An internship is a professional experience. Clothing appropriate for a student going to regular classes may not be acceptable on your internship.
  A good rule of thumb: dress like your supervisor or ask what is acceptable.
  
  
• Housing: If your internship is not in Madison or near your home, housing is generally the responsibility of the student. However some off campus internship sites are often willing to assist with finding temporary housing.
  Try to be as flexible as possible in regard to housing. Your best opportunity may not be located near Madison or close to your hometown.
  
  
• Transportation: It is suggested that you discuss the status of your transportation when interviewing. Some agencies presume that an intern will have a vehicle for use during the internship. If you will be using you own vehicle for company business be sure to check on insurance coverage.
  
  
• Insurance: As a participant in the Internship program, you need to be aware of some insurance concerns. Please note the items listed below:
  1. Health and Accident Insurance. This is the responsibility of the student, as in any classroom course. Normally, family policies are used by the students. Group medical insurance is available through the University. Intern students have access to the regular Student Health Service Outpatient Services if they are located within reasonable distance.
  2. Liability and Malpractice Protection. The Office of Risk Management extends coverage to all properly enrolled students working within the scope of their internship agreement. Coverage is above and beyond any coverage carried by sponsors and other sources.
  3. Unemployment Compensation. Normally internship students are not covered since their programs are defined as a limited term appointment with the cooperating agency.
  4. Worker's Compensation. Employed interns are covered under regular guidelines of the Act. Rulings have generally stated that unpaid students with formal intern agreements on file should be covered under the concept of training in lieu of pay.
     
     

Compensation: In internship experiences, compensation generally depends on the cooperating agency. Academic credit is awarded for the professional learning experience not the level of pay.

Safety: To avoid possible accidents and injuries, you are encouraged to read applicable handbooks, instructions and operators manuals when at the field site, and request adequate safety instruction. If you are unsure of any procedure, ask questions! You may also be required to obtain special certification or training in order to participate in certain internships.

Confidentiality: When special proprietary information, materials and/or procedures are a part of a student's internship experience; the college's staff request that intern agreements be amended in writing to have the sponsoring field supervisor edit all student reports before they are submitted to the University. Regular professional ethics are always to be observed. The CALS Internship program does not want to violate professional trust.

What UW-Madison policies may affect the Internship program?

Discrimination and Sexual Harassment. Any company, agency or individual involved in the internship program will do so in accordance with the provision of Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act, Wisconsin's Fair Employment Practices Statutes, Sections 111.31 et. seq., and UW-Madison Faculty Document 542, 5 December, 1983. These provisions prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, color, handicap, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, arrest record or conviction record. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. Copies of these documents may be obtained in all UW-Madison placement offices or the Affirmative Action Office, 175 Bascom Hall or by writing to these offices.

rev. 4/98

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College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Career Services
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Drive
Madison WI 53706
(608) 262-3460
fax (608)265-5905
career@cals.wisc.edu

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