Internships, Co-ops & Externships

Internships

An internship is a career-related work experience usually lasting one semester. Students learn by carrying responsible roles in an organization. Internships are found in all types of organizations, including non-profit agencies, corporations, government, policy institutes and neighborhood centers. Some internships are paid, while others are completed on a volunteer basis. Students may choose to obtain credit through their academic departments.

Strategies for Recruiting Interns

Position Listings

  • Post any internship opportunities your company has to offer on Gator CareerLink, our online job database.

On-Campus Interviews

  • Call to set up a date for the visit. Rooms are limited, so submit your request early. Contact our Scheduling Coordinator, at 352-273-2300 to make arrangements.

Attend Career Showcase

  • Held in September and January of each year. Find out more about Career Fairs or call (352) 273-2331.

 Make Campus Connections with Key Populations

  • Schedule an Information Session the evening before your on-campus recruitment visit to inform students about your company and begin screening candidates.
  • Reach out to Student Organizations
  • Faculty: Connect with College Contacts to learn more about academic departments.

 Maintain Contact with the Experiential Education Staff

  • Check in periodically with the Experiential Education Staff in the CRC to ensure that everything is going well regarding your internship recruitment strategies. Please notify us if UF students are selected for internship positions within your organization.

Cooperative Education (Co-op)

Cooperative education is an educational program blending classroom learning with practical work experience. It provides structured and progressive work experience. Co-op consists of students working more than one semester for your organization. These positions are paid and students receive one academic credit hour for each semester worked. The Cooperative Education Program offers two work options:

  • Alternating Plan: Students alternate between full-time semesters of work and full-time semesters of academic study. To complete the program, three alternating semesters of work are required for undergraduate engineering students; two are required for undergraduate students in non-engineering majors and graduate students. Consecutive semesters of work are considered to be a valuable work experience, but are not recommended as part of a student’s co-op program. Back-to-back semesters of work eliminate the necessary academic experience for a student. The consecutive semesters of work are considered as extended internships.
  • Parallel Plan: Students work a minimum of 20 hours per week within commutable distance of the Gainesville area, while continuing to attend class. To complete the program, six semesters of parallel experience are required for undergraduate engineering students, and four are required for undergraduate students in non-engineering majors and graduate students.

Strategies for Recruiting Co-Op Students

1. Determine your needs:
Identify the positions and academic disciplines you require. Obtain additional information on academic majors through the Career Resource Center as needed.

2. Prepare job descriptions:
The Co-op Program requires job descriptions for each academic major requested. These are reviewed by faculty Co-op coordinators in appropriate departments to ensure that the duties are academically and major related.

3. Approval and Position Postings:
Send your postings to an Experiential Education staff member so they can forward them to all relevant faculty members. Once approval is granted, an Experiential Education Staff member will let you know so you can start posting your positions on Gator CareerLink.

4. Consider these recruiting strategies:
Position Listings:

  • Post all approved Co-op opportunities your company has to offer on Gator CareerLink, our online job database.

On-Campus Interviews:

  • Call to set up a date for the visit (rooms are limited-submit request early). Contact our Scheduling Coordinator, at 352-273-2300 to make arrangements.
  • Attend Career Showcase:
    Showcase is held each September and January. Visit Career Fairs or call (352) 273-2331.

 Make Campus Connections with Key Populations

    • Schedule an Information Session the evening before your on-campus recruitment visit to inform students about your company and begin screening candidates.
    • Reach out to student organizations
    • Connect with College Contacts to learn more about academic departments.

 Maintain contact with the Experiential Education Staff

  • Check in periodically with the Experiential Education Staff in the CRC to ensure that everything is going well regarding your Co-op recruitment strategies. Please notify us if UF students are selected for Co-op positions within your organization.

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