Internships at Penn State Greater Allegheny are more than just work experiences—they are academic learning opportunities that prepare students for professional success. As a faculty member, instructor, or adviser, you play a key role in helping students connect classroom knowledge with real-world experience.

This guide outlines your responsibilities before, during, and after the internship, as well as tips for fostering academic and professional growth.

Your Role in the Internship Learning Network

As part of the student's learning network, you collaborate with:

  • The student-intern

  • The host site supervisor

  • The campus internship coordinator

  • The registrar’s office

Your role bridges the academic and professional sides of the internship, ensuring the experience meets University expectations while supporting each student’s growth

Before the Internship: Laying the Foundation

  • Clarify Academic Expectations
    Help students build strong learning objectives that connect to their coursework and align with NACE Career Readiness Competencies.

  • Review and Approve the Internship Agreement
    Use the online system to review student submissions. Offer feedback and request revisions as needed before approving.

  • Ensure Eligibility
    Confirm that students meet the minimum credit and GPA requirements, and have completed the Internship Prep Course.

  • Encourage Reflection and Planning
    Ask questions that prompt students to think about how this internship fits into their long-term goals.

During the Internship: Providing Ongoing Support

  • Maintain Regular Communication
    Stay in touch with your student-intern, offering support and academic guidance throughout the experience.

  • Conduct a Mid-Semester Site Visit
    This meeting with the student and site supervisor is essential. Use it to:

    • Assess progress toward learning objectives

    • Review the supervisor’s feedback

    • Ensure the internship is providing meaningful, relevant experiences

    • Strengthen the partnership between the host site and the University

  • Evaluate Student Work
    Use multiple academic assignments such as journals, reflections, and progress updates to assess learning. Combine this with input from the site supervisor for a well-rounded evaluation.

  • Foster Professional Development
    Encourage students to take initiative, reflect on their growth, and build connections within the field.

After the Internship: Wrapping Up and Reflecting

  • Conduct a Debrief Meeting
    Meet with the student to review their experience, discuss takeaways, and identify growth areas.

  • Support Final Deliverables
    Students are asked to submit a final presentation and record a short video reflection to share their experience with future interns. Help them shape these materials to showcase their learning and impact.

  • Assign a Final Grade
    Evaluate the student’s overall performance based on academic deliverables, engagement, and feedback from the host site.