University of Colorado Denver

Join the Professional Development Online Discussion Forum

Connect with other UC Denver interns/co-ops and learn from each other’s experiences. Discuss your workplace, the training and supervision you are receiving, professional interaction, questions, issues, etc. The Forum is moderated by Internship Advisors who will post weekly professional development questions to stimulate your thinking and encourage healthy discussion of the many issues related to experiential learning and professional development

The way you approach your internship or co-op will affect the quality of your experience. Follow these guidelines to insure a good experience.

• Remember that first impressions are the ones that last, and supervisors and coworkers will establish their opinions of you and your work very quickly
• Maintain confidentiality regarding work-related personnel and projects at your site
• Understand what constitutes a permissible work absence and who to notify if absent
• It is important to remember that the company does not function on an academic calendar, so keep your supervisor informed of your schedule. Let your supervisor know if you will be absent from work during any UC Denver holidays and/or academic vacations
• Be prompt and on time to work
• Carry out assignments; give it your best effort
• Keep an open mind; avoid jumping to conclusions; become fully informed before you make judgments
• Do not conduct personal business during work hours – i.e., using work computers for personal reasons, text-messaging, or personal phone calls
• Remain drug and alcohol free at your internship
• Dress appropriately

Support and Resources During Your Internship/Co-op:

The University of Colorado Denver and the Experiential Learning Center (ELC) ensures that students who participate in internships and co-ops have a variety of support and resources:

• Your SITE SUPERVISOR oversees your work tasks and performance, and serves as a resource. This person provides training, guidance, and mentoring. They will also provide opportunities for you to meet your learning objectives listed on your Learning Agreement.
• Your INTERNSHIP/CO-OP ADVISOR provides support throughout your internship/co-op. They will contact you via email at mid-semester to inquire about your experience. For any issue that arises (i.e. workplace conflicts, problems with supervisors or co-workers, not getting the experience you expected or the agreed onsite hours, not being given the opportunity to complete the objectives outlined on your learning agreement, etc) contact your Internship Advisor immediately so they can work with all parties to address the issue.
• Your FACULTY SPONSOR (Internships only) also offers support, addresses all academic issues, provides the list of assignments, and is responsible for assigning your final grade at the end of the term. You will meet or otherwise correspond with your faculty sponsor throughout the term to address concerns, questions, or review assignments. The ELC sends copies of your site supervisor’s evaluation to your faculty sponsor, who uses that information as part of your final grade for the internship course.

Roles & Responsibilities

The Intern or Co-op Student will:

• Register his/her internship or co-op with the Experiential Learning Center by submitting a Learning Agreement prior to the start date of the internship or co-op
• Serve as a representative of the University of Colorado Denver, and as such, will have influence regarding the employer’s decision to host students from UC Denver in the future
• Approach internships and co-ops in a professional manner that is guided by courtesy, a desire to learn, and a willingness to receive feedback for improvement
• Act in a responsible and appropriate manner in accordance with the rules and regulations of the organization

The Site Supervisor will:

• Complete and sign the employer portion of the Learning Agreement (pdf) prior to the intern or co-op student’s start date
• Introduce student to the organization and employees
• Provide an orientation for new student
• Provide training, mentoring and supervision of student
• Encourage professionalism by assisting student in developing communication, interpersonal, decision-making, and other skills
• Provide opportunities for increasing responsibility; keeping student directed toward accomplishing his/her learning objectives
• Maintain an open channel of communication with regular meetings
• Complete a final evaluation. (The Internship Advisor will email the evaluation at the end of the term)

The Faculty Sponsor will (Internships Only):

• Address all academic issues related to the internship
• Assist students in creating appropriate learning objectives that must be met during the internship
• Provide students with appropriate academic assignments related to the internship placement
• Keep in contact with interns throughout the internship in order to appraise progress and address concerns and questions
• Upon request, meet with site supervisors to discuss internship placements
• Review the site supervisor’s evaluation and use as part of student’s final grade
• Award credit and a final grade based on interns’ completion of assignments

The Internship Advisor will:

• Act as primary liaison between the organization and the University of Colorado Denver
• Serve as liaison for any issues that arise during an internship or co-op – e.g. workplace conflicts or problems with supervisors or co-workers, injuries, not getting the agreed onsite hours, ensuring the opportunity to fulfill the requirements of the internship or co-op – number of work hours, learning goals, etc.
• Conduct site visits with intern or co-op student and site supervisor
• Collect employer’s final evaluation and send to the faculty sponsor