Work-Based Learning: Information for Employers

To provide a quality internship opportunity for a Skagit Valley College student, employers should be prepared to meet the following requirements:

Creating your Internship Position

• Provide meaningful, field-related work: The internship must provide meaningful work that relates to the student’s academic program or career goals and allows the student to apply knowledge and skills gained through their coursework.
• Offer an educational experience: The internship should provide opportunities for learning and skill development beyond routine tasks or work performed solely to support the employer’s day-to-day operations.
• Define the internship position: Provide a written position description outlining the scope of duties, projects, responsibilities, qualifications, and expected learning opportunities.
• Establish a defined timeframe: Identify the anticipated start and end dates and the expected number of hours the student will work.
• Provide qualified supervision: Assign a workplace supervisor with appropriate professional experience, education, or expertise in the field who can provide guidance and support throughout the internship.

Welcoming an Intern

• Complete required Learning Contract: Work with the student and SVC to complete and sign the required Learning Contract agreement before the student begins the internship.
• Establish clear Learning Objectives: The student, employer, and college will identify learning objectives that describe the knowledge, skills, and competencies the student is expected to develop during the internship. 
• Provide regular feedback: Communicate regularly with the student about their progress and provide constructive feedback throughout the internship. SVC requires a supervisor evaluation at the conclusion of the experience.
• Provide appropriate resources: Make available the equipment, technology, facilities, materials, and other resources necessary for the student to successfully complete their assigned work and learning objectives.
• Support a professional work environment: Provide appropriate onboarding, workplace expectations, training, and working conditions consistent with the responsibilities of the position.
• Coordinate with SVC: Collaborate with the student and appropriate SVC personnel to ensure the internship meets academic requirements and provides a meaningful connection between classroom learning and workplace experience.
• Abide by SVC Employer Guidelines: Review and abide by SVC’s Recruitment Policies and Employer Guidelines throughout the recruitment, hiring, and internship process.

1. Start by downloading the Employer Handbook for Internships (coming soon), which provides detailed guidance on developing an effective internship and outlines the documentation required for students earning academic credit.
2. When creating your internship position description, be sure to include:
   • Scope of duties: Clearly describe the projects, responsibilities, and learning opportunities the intern will complete.
   • Start and end dates: Provide the anticipated dates of the internship. 
   • Compensation: Indicate whether the internship is paid or unpaid. If paid, include the hourly wage or stipend amount.
   • Qualifications: Identify required and preferred education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
   • Application requirements: Specify the materials applicants should submit, such as a resume, cover letter, portfolio, or unofficial transcript.
   • Application timeline: Include the dates you will begin and stop accepting applications.
3. For additional guidance, please review the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this webpage. If you need additional support after reviewing the FAQs, please contact our Cooperative Education Coordinator at coop@skagit.edu.

Please note: Skagit Valley College does not place students directly into internships. We support students in identifying, applying for, and securing internship opportunities. While we promote available positions to eligible students, we cannot guarantee that an employer will receive applicants.

Students who register for an internship for academic credit through Skagit Valley College are covered by college-provided liability insurance. A portion of the course fee supports this coverage.

Coming Soon: This fall, Skagit Valley College is excited to launch Handshake as its centralized recruitment platform for connecting employers with SVC students. To ensure a smooth transition, we are providing time for employers to create accounts or connect existing ones to SVC, prior to our student launch of the platform. Students will gain access to begin searching and applying for jobs/internships in November. All SVC students have a free account, and employers can create a free account as well.  Learn more about getting started on Handshake below.  

If you have roles that you need to fill prior to November, please visit our current SVC student job board and follow the instructions listed there for posting. 

To attract qualified SVC student interns, employers are encouraged to post opportunities 3–4 months before the anticipated start date. This allows students sufficient time to explore opportunities, apply, interview, and complete the college’s internship approval process.

Create Handshake Employer Account Log in to your Employer Account

Want to learn more about using Handshake? Visit our Link to Hire SVC Students & Graduates Webpage.

Skagit Valley College is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to academic internships and meaningful opportunities to apply their skills in the workplace. Through Disability Access Services (DAS), students can receive support in identifying reasonable accommodations that provide access to the internship experience while maintaining the essential requirements and academic standards of their program.

Employers may be asked to work collaboratively with the student and SVC to identify and implement reasonable accommodations at the internship site. Accommodations are intended to support access to the learning experience and do not change the essential functions or expectations of the internship.

Students are encouraged to connect with DAS as early as possible when planning an internship. Students may also choose whether, when, and how to disclose a disability to an employer. Employers should respect the student’s privacy and direct questions about academic accommodations or SVC support to DAS when appropriate.

Learn More

Questions About Accommodations: Employers who have questions about accommodations and support during an internship are encouraged to contact the SVC Cooperative Education Coordinator or the Disability Access Services team.

1. There are many ways employers can engage with Skagit Valley College beyond hosting an intern. Connecting with students through career and professional development activities can help employers build relationships, share industry knowledge, and introduce students to career opportunities.
2. Ways to partner with SVC include:
   • Post employment and internship opportunities through SVC’s career resources and job board.
   • Engage with faculty and academic programs to help connect classroom learning with current industry practices and workforce needs.
   • Host a campus visit or worksite tour to give students a firsthand look at your workplace, industry, and career opportunities.
   • Attend the SVC Career Fair to connect with students and promote your organization, career opportunities, and open positions.
   • Participate in employer panels to share your professional experience, industry insights, and career advice with students.
   • Provide job-shadowing or career exploration opportunities that allow students to learn more about specific careers and workplaces.
   • Collaborate on Learning into Action projects by providing students with real-world projects or challenges that align with their academic learning.
3. Whether you are looking to recruit talent, strengthen connections with an academic program, or support the next generation of professionals, SVC welcomes opportunities to partner with local employers and organizations.

1. Skagit Valley College is committed to ensuring students with disabilities have equitable access to experiential learning opportunities. If an intern requests an accommodation, employers are encouraged to work with the student and SVC’s Disability Access Services (DAS) to help identify reasonable accommodations that support the student’s success at the worksite.
2. What employers should know:
   • Accommodations are individualized. The appropriate accommodation will depend on the student’s needs and the requirements of the internship.
   • You do not need to determine the accommodation on your own. DAS can work with the student, faculty, and appropriate workplace partners to help identify reasonable accommodations.
   • Focus on the accommodation, not the disability. Employers generally should not ask a student to disclose or explain the nature of their disability. Discussions should focus on what support is needed for the student to perform the essential functions of the internship.
   • Maintain confidentiality. Information about a student’s disability or accommodation should be treated as confidential and shared only with individuals who need the information to implement the accommodation.
   • Communicate with SVC. If you have questions about how an accommodation may work in the workplace or whether a requested accommodation is feasible, SVC can help facilitate the conversation.
3. Employers do not need to navigate the process alone. Disability Access Services is available as a resource to help students and internship partners understand the accommodation process and support an accessible, successful internship experience.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), an internship is a form of experiential learning that connects classroom knowledge and theory with practical application and professional skill development.

Internships provide students with opportunities to apply what they have learned, develop career-ready skills, explore potential career paths, and build professional connections. For employers, internships provide an opportunity to mentor emerging talent, contribute to student learning, and assess potential future employees.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), an internship—whether conducted in person, remotely, or virtually—should provide a structured, educational experience that connects academic learning with professional practice. To be considered a legitimate internship, the experience should meet the following criteria:

• Connects to classroom learning: Provides an opportunity for students to apply knowledge and concepts gained through their academic coursework.
• Provides meaningful learning opportunities: Goes beyond routine work or tasks performed solely to support the employer’s day-to-day operations.
• Develops transferable skills: Helps students build knowledge and skills that can be applied in other professional settings.
• Has a defined structure: Includes established start and end dates, a clear position description, and identified qualifications.
• Includes learning objectives: Establishes clearly defined learning objectives or goals aligned with the student’s academic and professional development.
• Provides qualified supervision: Includes supervision from a professional with relevant expertise and educational and/or professional experience in the field.
• Includes regular feedback: Provides students with ongoing guidance and feedback from their supervisor.
• Supports student learning: Provides access to the resources, equipment, facilities, and experiences necessary to achieve the established learning objectives.

• Create an employer profile on Handshake, Skagit Valley College’s career and internship platform. Once your profile has been approved, you can create and post internship opportunities for SVC students to view and apply for. If you have questions about creating an employer profile or posting an opportunity, please contact careerconnections@skagit.edu.
• Develop a Clear Internship Description – A well-developed internship description helps attract qualified candidates by clearly communicating the opportunity, expectations, and qualifications. The description should outline meaningful work that can be completed within the internship period and should include:
  • About your organization: Provide a brief overview of your company, organization, or industry.
  • Internship responsibilities: Describe the projects, duties, and learning opportunities the intern will complete.
  • Internship timeline: Include the anticipated start and end dates and the expected duration of the internship.
  • Compensation: Indicate whether the internship is paid or unpaid. If paid, include the hourly wage or stipend.
  • Qualifications: Identify the education, knowledge, skills, and abilities you are seeking.
  • Application requirements: Specify required materials, such as a resume, cover letter, writing sample, or portfolio.
  • Application process: Provide a link or instructions for submitting application materials.
  • Contact information: Identify the appropriate contact person for questions about the position.
  • Application deadline: Include the date applications will close.

• Skagit Valley College strongly encourages employers to offer paid internships whenever possible. Paid internships can help employers attract a larger and more diverse pool of qualified candidates while providing students with greater access to experiential learning opportunities.
• For paid internships, employers should offer at least the applicable minimum wage. Employers may also consider offering a higher wage based on the student’s experience, skills, education, or responsibilities.
• Paid internships can benefit both employers and students by:
  • Attracting more qualified candidates and increasing the number of students who can participate.
  • Expanding access to internship opportunities by reducing financial barriers for students who may not be able to accept unpaid work.
  • Encouraging student engagement and commitment by providing compensation for their contributions.
  • Supporting talent development and recruitment by allowing employers to evaluate interns for potential future employment opportunities.

Employers may offer unpaid internships when the internship meets the requirements established by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), whether an intern may be unpaid is generally determined using the DOL's “primary beneficiary” test.

Employers considering an unpaid internship should review the DOL's guidance, including Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act | U.S. Department of Labor to determine whether the position qualifies as an unpaid internship under federal law.

Students earn academic credit by enrolling in Cooperative Education Experience at SVC, a college course designed to connect classroom learning with practical, supervised work experience. Employers do not award academic credit or assign course grades; academic credit is awarded by SVC based on the student’s successful completion of course requirements.

Students may earn 1–5 academic credits, based on the number of hours completed:

• 33 internship hours = 1 academic credit
• 66 internship hours = 2 academic credits
• 99 internship hours = 3 academic credits
• 132 internship hours = 4 academic credits
• 165 internship hours = 5 academic credits

Students pay the applicable course fee, which includes college-provided liability insurance coverage for their internship experience.

The course structure is flexible and can be coordinated with the employer’s scheduling needs. Before the internship begins, the student, employer, and college representatives must complete and sign the required Learning Contract. At the conclusion of the internship, the workplace supervisor completes an evaluation of the student’s performance and learning.

For sample forms and additional information about the internship process, please refer to the Employer Handbook for Internships (coming soon).