What is Expected of Me as an Employer?
For both the Internship and Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) programs, employers will participate by:
- Signing the CWE Application/Agreement form indicating you are willing to participate in the cooperative effort.
- Signing the CWE Performance Objectives form indicating you are in agreement with the tasks developed for providing new or expanded learning opportunities or responsibilities that will improve the intern or employee's job performance during the term.
- Allowing two short meetings between the instructor and the student's supervisor (one must be on-site, in person) to discuss the student's progress towards the measurable objectives.
- Signing a CWE Time Sheet (which the employee must complete) verifying the student's work hours.
What is the Criteria for an unpaid internship?
The Department of Labor has six criteria to determine if a student is a learner/trainee (i.e. Intern) and therefore doesn't have to be paid. Not all six factors have to be present but the position should ultimately be more of a training experience than a job:
The training, though it may include actual operation of the employer's facilities, is similar to training that would be given in a vocational school.
The training is for the benefit of the student.
The student does not displace regular employees, but works under close observation of a regular employee.
The employer provides training and derives no immediate advantage from activities to the student.
The student is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period.
The employer and the student understand that the student is not entitled to wages for the time spent training.
How Long Do the Programs Run?
Both programs are offered through a college course. Start and end dates for unpaid internships surround the length of the academic term. Paid interns and employees may begin working their hours upon course registration and will begin earning college credit(s) upon the start of the term. Internships typically last the entire semester, but ultimately conclude when the intern has completed their project.
TYPICAL TERM LENGTHS*
SPRING
| February
| March
| April
| N/A
| June
|
SUMMER
| N/A
| N/A
| June
| N/A
| August
|
FALL
| August
| September
| October
| N/A
| December
|
WINTER
(Continuing Interns Only)
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| January
| February
|
*Term start and end dates fluctuate up to one week each year.
How are College Units Awarded?
| MINIMUM HOURS REQUIRED
1
| 60 hours | 75 hours | 2
| 120 hours
| 150 hours | 3
| 180 hours
| 225 hours
| 4
| 240 hours | 300 hours
|
|
|
How Do I Get Started?
Contact Santa Ana College's internship coordinator at
internships@sac.edu or
714-564-6761 to enroll your company or receive more information.
Your company is a likely candidate to participate if it can provide:
- The minimum work hours required for interns and CWE students
- Someone to mentor the student
- A meaningful learning experience
Thank you for your consideration.