Are you new(ish) to hiring interns?
If you have never hired interns before, or haven’t done so in a long time, this guidance from Indeed will help walk you through the things you need to think about
Typical internship length and commitment
- Internships can be either semester-long, or shorter “project internships” meant to last only a few weeks to a month
- The hours a student can work per week will vary based on your needs and students’ availability
- Many students are available to work full-time (30-40 hours/wk) in the summer and part-time (8-20 hours/wk) during the academic year
Recruiting international students
International students are eager to learn and eager to experience work in the US. Please click this link for guidance from our International Student Services Office on all you need to know to make giving an opportunity to an international student easy!
What La Follette students bring to your organization
- Academic knowledge and practical skills in statistical analysis, microeconomic policy analysis, public management, policy analysis, performance management, and much more
- Contextual knowledge of the U.S. policy process or international governance
- Writing and presentation skills; and
- A drive to improve the US and the world through the work they do whether it’s behind the scenes or in advocacy roles
What can you expect from La Follette interns?
La Follette students can hit the ground running. Our rigorous curriculum spans several disciplines including a professional development program that hones job readiness skills. Internships provide an opportunity for you – the employer – to benefit from the skills of a highly trained La Follette School student, while the student gets the opportunity to apply skills and insights gained in academic coursework. Over the years, La Follette students have interned throughout Wisconsin, the United States, and overseas at all levels of government, in NGOs, and in the private sector.
Academic credit for internships and the issue of pay
Students may wish to receive academic credit for their, and we have a formal process in place for this which is outlined on the links below
Please note: Receipt of academic credit should not be used in lieu of pay. If pay is possible for your organization, we hope that you will provide students with an hourly wage or stipend suitable to their educational level and capabilities. Academic credit is not free, and many students already struggle to afford their education. Thank you for supporting the proffesional growth and success of our students! You can also review the FLSA act here.
- Undergraduate Students:
- Students pursuing our Certificates in Public Policy, Health Policy, or our new undergraduate major are required to complete one formal internship with a corresponding 3-credit academic course. Ideally internships should be no less than 10 hours/week in fall or spring but can be up to 40 hours/week in the summer (esp if paid). You can learn more about the process from their side here if you are intersted
- Graduate Students:
- Our MPA and MIPA students are not required to complete a credit-bearing internship, but, with school approval, may earn up to three graduate credits for their internship, using these minimum work hour guidelines