Monitoring and Feedback
Procedures for dealing with issues during the Internship
The internship experience should attempt to mirror, where possible, a normal working environment. This also means that issues may arise regarding the intern, the work being undertaken or changes to the original agreement. As the time for the internship is relatively short, any problems that arise should be addressed as quickly as possible.
As in all working situations, problems should be addressed at the lowest level possible in the first instance. Students are therefore encouraged to take any concerns to their nominated work supervisor. You should likewise initially attempt to resolve problems directly with the intern if possible. This may necessitate the reviewing of the original agreement, to remind both the employer and the intern of their expectations and responsibilities.
If this is either unsuitable or unsuccessful, you are encouraged to contact the lecturer-in-charge of the Internship Program as soon as possible. The contact details are in the Internship Agreement and on page 5 of this document. Please feel free to call either the lecturer-in-charge or the Internship Administrator at any time to discuss any issue.
Feedback Process
Student/employer discussions during internship
Students learn in many different ways, however a practical experience, such as offered by this Internship Program, provides many opportunities for students to learn new skills while reflecting on the concepts they have been studying. While students learn simply by being in a particular environment, the most effective learning occurs when this experience is guided by a supervisor and discussed with the supervisor and the lecturer-in-charge.
You are therefore encouraged to meet with your intern on a regular basis to discuss the tasks and responsibilities, and to reflect on performance and learning. You are strongly encouraged to give verbal feedback to students throughout the internship experience. When that feedback is given will depend very much on the structure of the internship, however a recommended timing is after each 40 hours of experience.
The Learning Agreement signed at the beginning of the internship can provide a good basis for the discussion. Progress can be measured against the intended learning outcomes and tasks set out in the Agreement. This discussion may lead to the reinforcement of, or changes to, the learning outcomes and tasks, in order to strengthen the overall learning experience and the interns contribution to the organisation.
To maintain the currency of the learning agreement, one-on-one sessions between the student and the lecturer-in-charge have been scheduled. If changes are proposed, it is expected that this will already have been discussed (and agreed) between the employer and the student, and be supported by evidence from the students journal or other documentary materials.
Students are required to complete a reflective journal during their internship. While it is not necessary for them to show this journal to the employer, the student should be encouraged to share some of their individual reflections with you during these feedback sessions. This will provide an opportunity to reinforce or change the learning outcomes and tasks.
Internship Evaluation (Final)
The University requests that you provide written feedback to the student and the University at the end of the internship experience. A very simple evaluation form is provided which should be completed considering your expectations of the agreement.
In respecting your time, this evaluation section has been deliberately kept brief. Additional comments are not necessary, but always welcomed if you would prefer to provide more detailed feedback. The completed form can be given to the student or forwarded to the lecturer-in-charge or Internship Program Administrator directly.
This written feedback is considered significant in giving students the opportunity to reflect on their strengths and limitations. Accurate and honest feedback to the students is therefore very important.
Feedback to the employer at the completion of the Internship
Some employers also appreciate feedback from the student regarding their thoughts about the internship experience and the organisation. This can occur in a number of ways and should be discussed with the student.
In its most simple form, you can ask the student for verbal feedback during the final discussions with the intern. You may also be interested in a copy of the final written report, which is submitted by the student for assessment. You are also invited to attend the students presentation to the class and should liaise with the student about the date, time and place. Another alternative would be to ask the student to deliver one or both of their seminar presentations in the workplace.
Employers will also receive an invitation to a "Thank you / debriefing session" usually held as a breakfast meeting around mid-October. We will advise you of the time and place.