Recruiting Talent
Career Services is dedicated to connecting employers with bachelor and master degree seeking students. We are pleased to offer our employers Handshake, the fastest growing career management system to post full or part-time jobs and internships. Click here to join Handshake.
In addition, we offer a variety of ways for organizations to increase their visibility on campus, such as mentor programs, information sessions, employer-sponsored workshops, job shadowing and job fairs. For more information about how you can meet with a diverse and talented student population, contact Career Services at 941-359-4703.
Thank you for your interest in partnering with the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus!
We are excited to send talent your way. Please review the FAQ below to learn more about internship programs, expectations and legalities. Feel free to contact Career Services with any additional questions at any time: Sar-Careers@usf.edu / 941-359-4703.
Internship FAQ for Potential Employers
What is an internship?
An internship is an entry-level training experience related to the student's major with defined start/end dates that will allow the student to apply academic knowledge and skills in a hands-on environment. This provides the student with the opportunity to learn, gain experience, and grow as a professional. Positions must be degree-related and skill-building, with less than 20% of the time devoted to performing general clerical duties.
An assigned mentor/supervisor is required to provide a meaningful and challenging work experience, culminating in a final evaluation of the student's performance.
How many hours can interns work?
Students who are receiving academic credit for an internship will be required to meet a specific number of working hours, as determined by their program. Hospitality Management, for example, requires a capstone internship totaling 300 working hours; whereas Interdisciplinary Social Sciences students must complete 100 working hours. Also, for-credit internships typically coincide with a semester, which would begin either in January (Spring), May (Summer), or August (Fall). When in doubt, please ask the student or the Internship Coordinator for clarification.
Students who are not receiving academic credit for an internship should work reasonable hours that do not interfere with their academic schedule.
Is compensation required?
Paid internships, statistically, lead to gainful employment for students after graduation. While compensation is not required for an internship, it will add legitimacy to the student's experience and assist them in transitioning out of their other part-time jobs. If you cannot compensate an intern for their services, please ask the Internship Coordinator how you could potentially find funding so you can create a paid internship.
While students recognize the value of internships, the applicant pool is small, and the number of hours per week they can work is limited. According to the Department of Labor, unpaid internships should be designed strictly for the benefit and education of the student and be similar to training in a vocational setting. It is the responsibility of the employer to adhere to the criteria defined by the Department of Labor.
How can we get started?
Please advertise your internship on Handshake for maximum on-campus exposure.
If your intern is receiving academic credit, their faculty supervisor will ask you to complete contract paperwork specific to their program.
However, if your intern is not receiving academic credit, please obtain contract paperwork from Career Services at Sar-Careers@usf.edu or 941-359-4703.
We look forward to partnering with you!
Micro-Internships
Micro-Internships help organizations get immediate support while identifying and evaluating candidates for future hiring needs. Unlike traditional internships, these paid opportunities typically range from five to 40 hours of work, can be completed year-round, and help teams scale up seamlessly -- with no unnecessary expense.
Tips for managing successful internships during the coronavirus outbreak
COVID-19 has changed the landscape of work. What does that mean for internships? Read USF Sarasota-Manatee's campus top five suggestions for intern projects in summer and fall 2020.