Protecting the Co-op/Internship Investment:
A Guide for Supervisors

• Provide company/departmental and technical orientation for interns/co-ops as you would any new employee.
• Plan and organize work assignments and projects in advance of the student's arrival.
• Develop clear and specific job descriptions, expectations, and time schedules. Discuss work assignments in the context of the larger project or department goals.
• Consider student's skills and interests in relation to tasks and develop mutually beneficial and measurable learning objectives.
• Create an atmosphere receptive to "supervised learning." Students will progress quickly where questions are expected and encouraged.
• Include students in meetings and problem-solving sessions.
• Assign projects of increasing responsibility and challenge over time.
• Establish criteria for performance evaluation at the beginning of the assignment and provide regular and ongoing feedback.

Keep in mind that as a co-op/intern supervisor you are the student's daily contact, source of valuable information, teacher/mentor, motivator, and leader. You personify the organization!