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Employer Information

Employer shaking hands with employeesEmployer Resources 

Employer Handbook

Internship Position Description Form

Partner Letter of Agreement

If you are interested in developing a CWE-Based Internship Program for your business or agency, contact us and we’ll work together!

  • Contact Maria Ramirez-Camacho, CWE Specialist, at 1-805-922-6966 ext. 3421 or maria.ramirezcamacho@hancockcollege.edu
  • The CWE program will assist you in creating an Internship Education Program specific to your workplace, helping assure that you are not in violation of labor laws regarding uncompensated employees (the Fair Labor Standards Act).
  • A cooperative relationship between the College, the employer and the intern will maximize the educational value of the internship.
  • Allan Hancock College will market your workplace as an internship site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE?

Will you send me an intern immediately?

Academic Calendar:  http://www.hancockcollege.edu/admissions/calendar.php

How many hours can an intern work?

Employers will be expected to provide the intern with a minimum of 60 hours per semester for an unpaid internship, and 75 hours per semester for a paid internship.  The minimum hours are set by the state and directly correlate to the number of units the intern registers for.  The details can be worked out at the time of the candidate interview.  Refer to the chart below for required hours.

MINIMUM HOURS REQUIRED
Units Enrolled
Unpaid Internships
Paid Internships
1
60 hours
75 hours
2
120 hours
150 hours
3
180 hours
225 hours

What Kind of Schedule can I expect an intern to work?

Interns are students first and have other life commitments.  It is wise to be flexible.  Most employers provide a two day schedule such as “Tuesday and Thursday” and a few ask for a three day schedule such as “Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”  It’s reasonable to ask for a 4-6 hour shift, but ultimately the intern will identify a schedule they can work.  If hours are not flexible, write the schedule requirement in the job description.

What types of projects are best suited for interns?

Employers should provide interns with opportunities to understand important concepts, develop essential skills, and apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world problems and opportunities.  Supervisors should offer challenging projects and tasks, which would be recognized within the business/industry as a valuable experience.  Whenever possible, the intern should be included in meetings and organization events.  Interns should be mentored and are expected to learn generally accepted business principles, standards and work ethics.

How long do internships last?

Since internships are offered through a college course beyond work site hours, naturally the internship start and end dates surround the length of the semester/term.  Below is a chart with the typical semester/term length.  Internships typically last the entire semester/term but ultimately conclude when the intern has completed their hours.

Summer Semester

Registration begins in April
8-week terms begin in June
Term ends in August

Fall Semester

Registration begins in May
17-week term begins in August
13-week term begins mid-September
8-week term begins mid-October
Terms ends in December

Spring Semester

Registration begins in November
17-week term begins in January
13-week term begins mid-February
8-week term begins mid-March
Terms end in May

How do employers benefit by partnering with Cooperative Work Experience Education

  • An internship allows an employer to assess the intern as a potential employee, without obligation of hiring the intern
  • If the intern becomes an employee, employer training costs and employee turnover are minimized. Nationally, 60 percent of interns go to work for their internship employers.
  • Employers establish a cooperative relationship with the college, providing an opportunity to influence vocational education and address industry training needs.
  • CWE students are often more motivated, enthusiastic employees because their work is evaluated and translated into college units.