Internships give students the opportunity to explore careers, make valuable contacts in an industry, and learn about themselves and the types of jobs that are available. For an employer, it has many significant advantages also:

• Builds your potential employee pool.
• Receive additional staff assistance during peak times/special projects, etc.
• Provides supervision experience for future managers in your company.
• Mentor a student.

The employer determines how many hours per week it will take to fulfill the duties listed on the Employer Internship Request. This information is shared with the students who meet the internship eligibility criteria and are able to work the requested number of hours. Each student will register for an internship course based on the number of contact hours they will work weekly:

1 credit = 10 hours per week; total 80 hours per term

2 credits = 20 hours per week; total 160 hours per term

3 credits = 30 hours per week; total 240 hours per term

4 credits = 40 hours per week; total 320 hours per term

Students may register for up to four credit hours while at Valencia. For example, students may register for a two-credit-hour internship twice. Or, they may opt to register for one four-credit-hour internship course at the end of their term. We encourage students to determine their ability to intern based on their educational objectives and life commitments.

Yes. We encourage employers to compensate interns since many community college students must give up another job to complete an internship. In addition, students who register for an internship pay an additional $10 for an internship course. Companies that cannot afford to pay an intern may offer scholarships, stipends or partner with another company. Contact the Internship and Placement Office for creative solutions.

We expect each employer to provide meaningful duties for the student to perform that would enhance the student's understanding of his/her career/program area. In addition, we solicit your feedback about the intern's job performance and our responsiveness to your request. This will help us provide guidance to the student as well as strengthen our program.

Valencia encourages educational opportunities that translate into employment. Internships are no exception. We only ask that employers do so in a manner that would not impede the student's ability to complete their educational program.

1. Log into (or create) your account.
2. Read and accept the Memo of Understanding (MOU) terms.
3. Create a new Employer Internship Request (EIR).

Sample MOU

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Janice Callaway at 407-582-3220 or email jcallaway5@valenciacc.edu.