Establishing Quality Co-op Internship Programs

10 Steps to a Quality Co-op/Intern Program

1. Establish clear co-op/internship program goals and objectives.
2. Solicit and maintain top management support.
3. Allocate resources to plan and implement the program.
4. Assign seasoned human resources representatives to champion the co-op/intern agenda.
5. Select functional areas appropriate to a true co-op/intern program and plan specific responsibilities, assignments/project criteria, and timelines. Don't disguise routine jobs or "grunt" work as a co-op or internship.
6. Determine when students will begin and end their assignments. Don't let co-op/intern positions keep going—give as many students as possible the opportunity to filter through.
7. Set up a budget for student salaries or a stipend based on current market demand and the complexity of work assignments.
8. Coach managers in effective supervision/mentoring techniques to maximize student training. Reward them for a job well done. Don't assign "green" managers to co-ops and interns.
9. Understand the dilemma of the academic vs. business cycle—respect the university's main goal of education and its academic schedules.
10. Institute a hiring process (point person, timing, evaluation criteria.)