Internships at Florida Gulf Coast University
Thank you for considering Florida Gulf Coast University for your internship opportunities! Internships allow students to gain valuable experience that validates their education while learning from a seasoned professional in their field of study. Not all students are required to complete an internship in order to graduate, however most programs highly recommend an internship.
The Process for Employers The student will apply directly to the employer through College Central Network. FGCU Career Services does not "place" students into internships. Interested candidates will apply directly to you, just as they would for a job. The employer will then arrange interviewing times and make a determination for an intern. Students will complete the application process and any paperwork that may be required by their college. A short description of that process is detailed below for your information. Please be aware that time can play a large factor in recruiting interns. Students must be approved for the internship at least one week before the academic semester begins.
Please look over these Internship Basics[.pdf] to determine if your position will qualify as an internship.
We use a free web-based job listing and internship listing system, hosted by College Central Network, Inc. Before you are able to post internships in the system, all employers must register and be approved by the Career Services staff. Instructions for registration are available by clicking here. All employers must have a valid email address to post internships. If you have questions, contact Career Services at (239)590-7946.
The Process for Students
**Students access our College Central Network for listings in their field.**
1. Meet with College Advisor
· Student must schedule an appointment with their college advisor to begin the approval process.
· At the initial meeting, the advisor explains the guidelines for an academic internship and gives initial approval based on the student's academic history.
2. Prior to Beginning the Internship
Student meets with the Organization/Company offering the internship to complete the Internship Agreement and attaches a copy of the internship position description.
Student then meets with the Faculty Internship Supervisor to:
* submit internship position description
* review the academic requirements for the internship
3. DEADLINE for completion of the first three items is one week prior to the first day of classes for the semester the student wishes to register for the academic internship.
Does the law require an organization to pay its interns?
In order for your intern to qualify as an “unpaid trainee” the intern must pass the 6 factor test:
The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school.
The training is for the benefit of the trainee.
The trainees do not displace regular employees, but work under close supervision.
The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainees and on occasion the employer’s operations may actually be impeded.
The trainees are not necessarily entitles to a job at the completion of the training period.
The employer and the trainee understand that the trainees are not entitled to wages for the time spent in training.
If any of the 6 factors are not present, the intern is considered an employee and must be paid as an employee.
May we consider our interns to be volunteers?
Individuals who serve as unpaid volunteers in various community services (public service, religious, or humanitarian objectives) are not considered employees for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act provided they meet the guidelines. However, employees may not volunteer at a for-profit employer. Therefore, for most private sector employers, it is not acceptable to consider interns to be unpaid volunteers, unless they otherwise qualify as an “unpaid trainee”.
