1. Background
Internships have a long tradition in the US University environment as part of a vocational training experience. Internships are similar but slightly different to "work experience" in the UK. Whereas work experience is usually part of the secondary education experience in the UK, in the US internships take place in university environment and are intended to be more developed vocational opportunities. They work best for students whose idea about their chosen career path is well-advanced.
2. Expectations of Student
That the internship will be a valuable educational experience that may help them clarify their career goals and get a sense of the industry and skill set of the sector in which they have elected to specialise (marketing, finance, sales etc); and that the internship is a part of their university education in the broadest sense.
3. Expectations of Employer
That the intern is energetic and willing to participate in a professional environment, to be supervised and to be receptive to learning from the internship experience
4. Expectation of the University of California
That the internship takes place in a safe and professional working environment and that the outcome of the internship is mutually beneficial to the student and employer and that the student should be willing to accept some routine clerical tasks but these should not form the majority of the work
5. Salary and Remuneration
at the discretion of the employer but not mandatory
6. Duration of the Internship
Typically three types: term long (ie 10 weeks), seasonal (typically over the summer) or annual (academic year ie September to June)
7. Hours Per Week
At discretion of employer (maybe 6 hours per week, maybe more)
8. Visa Situation
Students with appropriate student visa may work 20 hours per week while on that visa during term time and full time in the holidays.
9. National Insurance number
The responsibility of getting a NI number is that of the student themselves. We can supply P38S forms for the Employer to sign for the Inland Revenue. This essentially relieves the employer of paying tax on the student's wages below a threshold of £4,745 per annum.
10. Further questions?
Please don't hesitate to contact us at California House on 020 7079 0567. If your organisation has internship opportunities, please give us the details using our questionnaire.