Employer Information

Starting Out

One of the best ways businesses can partner with higher education to ensure students are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the workplace is to offer internships. If you are considering bringing on an intern for the first time or are new to North’s program, take a few minutes to review the Employer Internship Overview. If you have additional questions after reviewing the information in the packet and on these pages, please send an email to the Internship Office for a follow up contact.

Posting an internship

If you already know you want to bring on an intern and would like to advertise a position, you can self-post your opportunity on our Seattle Colleges job board, Handshake.  Select Seattle Colleges as the institution and follow the instructions.  It is straightforward, but if you have questions or issues arise when posting, contact Career Services for assistance. 

If you have further questions about internships at North before posting, send your inquiry to: NorthInternships@seattlecolleges.edu. Provide as much detail as possible so we can connect you with the appropriate person. 

Supporting Your Intern

As a site supervisor, you play a vital role in helping to shape the student intern's experience. Whether this is a student's first time in the workplace, or the intern wants to gain additional experience in a new field of study, your contributions and support help to shape that student's professional development. Internships are an extension of a student’s education, and you,  the employer, have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to show students what and how they can best apply the skills they’ve learned in the classroom to your workplace. 

During the internship you will help students set learning objectives and evaluate their work performance and professional interactions.  Your feedback is critical for students to gain confidence in areas where they excel and to strengthen areas where they need improvement.  

Your assessment of student performance is part of the grade each student receives for credit bearing internships.  In addition, interns have academic responsibilities to the college while they are interning.   All students should also receive an exit interview, which includes feedback on their performance at the end of the internship.  This exit interview can also help you evaluate your internal internship process and make adjustments as necessary.

Documentation

There are several documents you will need to sign at the beginning of the internship and at several points throughout.  These include an Internship Training Agreement and Learning Objectives for the internship.  Students will also ask you to sign time records and complete performance and competency  evaluations.  All required forms are supplied by the college. 

Compensation

Offering paid internships are always best practice.  Compensation helps students defray costs, places value on the work they do, and motivates students to apply for opportunities.  Unpaid internships and Volunteer assignments can also be valuable.  See the Employer Internship Overview for more information about paid and unpaid internship opportunities. 

Reviewing regulations from the Department of Labor and Washington State Labor and Industries is also strongly recommended.