Spring on the York College campus

York College Internship Program

Everything employers need to know about the York College internship program. Please take time to go through all of our resources and use Handshake, our primary method of connecting students with internships and job opportunities with your organizations.

Internship Requirements and Resources

  • Internships

    Welcome to the York College Internship Program

    Each semester, York College students complete internships with local, regional, and national organizations. Employers who are interested in working with YCP interns may share job postings on our campus job board, Handshake. Please contact careerdevelopment@ycp.edu to learn more about hosting an intern at your workplace. 

  • Student eligibility/requirements

    Student eligibility and requirements

    Please note that students who are interested in receiving academic credit for an internship must:

    • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
    • Have earned a minimum of 60 credits
    • Initiate, complete and receive final approval of an Internship for Academic Credit Application for the appropriate academic term

    Students must complete a minimum of 120 hours on-site to earn 3 credits in a given semester. A student may earn a maximum of 6 credits (two 3-credit internships) of internship credit as part of a bachelor's degree program, but the two experiences that comprise the 6 credits must be significantly distinct learning experiences.

  • Internship supervisor resources

    Resources and guidelines for internship supervisors

Internship FAQ

  • Do you have to pay interns?

    The U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which applies to all companies that have at least two employees directly engaged in interstate commerce and annual sales of at least $500,000.00, severely restricts an employer's ability to use unpaid interns or trainees. It does not limit an employer's ability to hire paid interns.

    You do not have to pay interns who qualify as leaders/trainees. The U.S. Department of Labor has outlined six criteria for determining trainee status:

    • Interns cannot displace regular employees
    • Interns are not guaranteed a job at the end of the internship (though you may decide to hire them at the conclusion of the experience)
    • Interns are not entitled to wages during the internship
    • Interns must receive training from your company, even if it somewhat impedes the work
    • Interns must get hands-on experience with equipment and processes used in your industry
    • Intern training must primarily benefit them, not the organization
  • What about workers and unemployment compensation?

    Workers compensation boards have found that interns contribute enough to a company to make them employees. It is wise to cover interns under your workers compensation policy even though you are not required to do so. Student interns are not generally eligible for unemployment compensation at the end of the internship.

  • What if the student is taking the internship for credit?

    Even if a student is working through a school program for which he or she is being given college credits, the student still has the right, under the FLSA, to be paid unless the employer is not deriving any immediate advantage by using him/her (see six points above). Paid interns make ideal workers because they are hungry to learn, eager to make a good impression and willing to perform a multitude of tasks. The relatively small amount of money employers spend on intern wages and benefits is a good investment because it often produces future, long-term employees.

    The employer should identify the specific terms and conditions of employment (e.g., dates of employment as an intern, including date the internship will end; compensation; organizational and/or reporting relationships; principal duties, tasks or responsibilities; working conditions; confidentiality; any other expectations of the employer), and should discuss these with the prospective intern so that there is no misunderstanding regarding the relationship.

    Also, it may make good sense to document such a discussion with a written agreement. Please note that compensation for internships is not regulated by York College in any way.

  • What other advice can you give about having interns?

    Remember that interns must be treated fairly by your organization. If an intern is harassed at your organization and you do not do anything about it, your organization opens itself to the risk of lawsuits. Take time to advise your interns of appropriate workplace behavior, the organization's harassment policy and complaint procedures and other items that they may need to know while interning with you.

Contact Us
Career Development Center
Main Office Info
Campbell Hall, Room 200
Phone: 717.815.1452
careerdevelopment@ycp.edu

Semester Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday until 6:00 p.m.
 
Summer Hours
Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.