Internships
Welcome to the AFS internship site! Internships are an important part of overall education and learning and are either required or highly recommended for ALL students within the AFS degree program. Practical work experience is a necessary part of the learning process and a good internship program will expose you to the practical side of your career of interest. This exposure can assist you to tailor your education to meet your career needs and to understand how classroom theories and information are applied to real conditions. It is an excellent way to prepare for the transition from the classroom to the workplace. Internships also allow you to develop personal contacts which can lead to job placement opportunities and build self-confidence, leadership and good communication skills while working with others.
For Students
Students are ultimately responsible for locating and setting up their internship experience. Your advisor, other faculty, academic coordinators, bulletin board postings and peers are all possible sources for finding an internship that meets your particular interests and needs.
Once you have identified a host, it is important to begin working with both them and your academic advisor to get the internship set up. Make your expectations clear to all parties– the provided paperwork will document everyone’s expectations and be signed by you, the internship host, and your academic advisor.
Internships vary in duration and can be paid or unpaid. The important element that distinguishes a job from an internship is the intentional “learning agenda” developed by the student, advisor and internship host. A “job” may count as long as an educational component is incorporated and all appropriate learning agreements must be agreed on by all parties. All financial or other compensation should be made clear with your internship host before you accept the position.
Additional academic coursework is required in addition to the day-to-day activities of the internship. Specific requirements for students to earn academic credit during their internship must be determined with the student’s academic advisor prior to the start of the internship. Requirements may include a student journal, final paper, portfolio, participation in a seminar, and/or other requirements that you develop.
For Prospective Internship Hosts
It is expected that the student will be offered a true career-related experience that enhances academic learning. Although a student may perform the necessary “busy work” (data entry, filing, answering phone, etc.) as it relates to their field, it is only appropriate when balanced by meaningful professional responsibilities which should involve the student in decision making and learning with hands-on experience. The student, host and faculty advisor will work together to provide a learning environment that is beneficial to everyone.
Provide a position description (form attached) that will describe the internship. Even if you have been in contact with or know the student personally, you are expected to fill out this form. It will provide the opportunity for you and the student to clearly define the learning goals, job duties, and expectations of the internship and allow you to consider and document any housing, hour requirements unique features and rules on your farm/business/organization.
Appoint someone to act as a mentor/supervisor during the experience this person will be the main contact for both student and faculty advisor. Once at your farm/business/organization orient the student to the work site by introducing him/her to the organization, employees, the physical layout, and the order of responsibility. Be sure the student intern knows the general philosophy and procedures of operation for the organization as a whole. Inform the intern of rules and expectations to be followed.
Provide the intern with ongoing feedback and conduct a performance evaluation. If you are having difficulties with the intern, please contact the faculty advisor. At the end of the internship both student and employer will turn in a completed evaluation form.
Internship opportunities can be sent to the contact below or directly to the AFS Coordinator Heather Cochran heatherjlc@wsu.edu or the Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Education Coordinator, Kristy Ott kristy_ott@wsu.edu. These announcements will be posted to the AFS website.
Procedures and Forms
All forms and documents have been created based on the internship requirements of Washington State University and are intended to protect both the student and employer/internship host. All necessary forms are provided on this site for your convenience. Please use the provided checklist to make sure all forms are completed and necessary steps are taken before securing the internship position.
Please feel free to contact Agricultural and Food Systems for more information by emailing afs@wsu.edu or calling (509) 335-5779.