Employers

The Academic Internship Program at Bellevue College (BC) provides an opportunity for students to earn college credit while working and learning in business, industry, government, and non-profit environments.

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Students apply knowledge and skills developed in the classroom to a work setting.

What is an Internship?

Internships empower students to practice existing skills, develop new ones, and gain valuable professional experience. By connecting with professionals in their field of study, students deepen their understanding of potential career paths while building networks that can shape their futures.

These structured, supervised professional experiences occur within approved organizations and are guided by clear learning objectives. Students earn academic credit while receiving support and mentorship from faculty members and workplace supervisors.

Steps to Attracting Qualified Internship Candidates

  1. Begin by downloading the Employer Handbook for Internships [PDF] which provides extensive information about developing internships and documents required for students who are earning college credit for their internships.
  2. When writing an internship position description, include the following:
    • Outline the scope of duties
    • State the preferred start and end dates
    • Indicate if the internship is paid or unpaid. If paid, include wage per hour or stipend amount (lump sum one-time payment usually intended to cover the cost associated with taking an internship course such as travel and tuition)
    • List the position’s required and preferred qualifications (education, knowledge, skills, and abilities)
    • Describe the documents required to apply and the beginning and ending dates that you will be accepting applications- e.g. resume, cover letter, portfolio, and/or unofficial transcripts
  3. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about hiring interns.
  4. We do not place students in internships; rather, we help them search and apply for internships. We cannot guarantee that you will receive applicants for your position.

Ensuring Students Register

Our internship program requires students to register for credit. Some students may not be inclined to register for credit if it isn’t needed for their certificate/degree.
We ask for your support in ensuring that students register. Here are the reasons why:

Liability Insurance

When an intern registers for credit through Bellevue College, part of the class fee covers liability insurance. If the intern causes any damage while on the job, the liability insurance will apply.

Learning Objectives

Interns are required to establish three learning objectives at the beginning of the internship. Research shows that when interns develop learning objectives, their engagement with their internship is more focused and enhanced.

More Reliable

Interns who are registered for credit are often more reliable because they are being held accountable by you (the employer) and by us (the college). They are therefore less likely to leave the internship unexpectedly.

After Hiring an Intern

Training Agreement

The intern and the supervisor must complete the training agreement form and return it to the Internship Coordinator. A sample training agreement is included in the Employer Handbook [PDF].

Meet Regularly

Establish a regular meeting time with the intern, preferably weekly. During the meetings, provide guidance, give feedback on performance, and answer questions.

Evaluation

During the last two weeks of the internship, you will be asked to complete a short evaluation of the student’s performance (form provided). Please meet with the student, and review your evaluation with them. This is a very important part of the student’s learning. A sample evaluation form is included in the Employer Handbook [PDF].

Contact

Tamara Pinkas

Tamara Pinkas

Internship Coordinator