students

PIRATE LINK

PirateLink is the Career Center’s e-recruiting platform for Hampton University students and alumni. PirateLink uses technology to help students to connect with employers to secure jobs and internships. Employers use PirateLink as a recruitment tool to identify qualified candidates for full-time jobs and internships.

View the STUDENT- ALUMNI PIRATELINK LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS on how to get started.

INTERNSHIP/COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (CO-OP)

The Career Center houses the Cooperative Education (co-op)/Internship Programs. In most academic programs at Hampton University, internships are part of the curriculum – students receive academic credit for the internship and/or the experience is required for graduation. The common thread is all internships is that the work experience is related to the student’s course of study. This combines the student’s academic studies with supervised real world work experience and learning. Both co-op and internship programs allow students, from all majors, the opportunity to integrate theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills developed, while on the job. During the co-op/internship, students develop personal and professional maturity that helps them build character and ethics of the highest standards.

Hampton University Career Center recognizes the National Association of Colleges and Employers Position of US Internships.

Hampton University Career Center follows the legal definition of internships (paid and unpaid) that are set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

What are the Benefits of doing an Internship or Co-Op?

Gain valuable work experience
Students gain real world experience and refine their hard and soft skills while on the co-op/internship.
Gain college credit
Hampton University decides if the student is eligible to earn academic credit based on the schools policy and criteria of the student’s specific major.
Earn a salary
Students can earn funds to finance their education
Give yourself an edge in the job market
Internship experience makes a college graduate more marketable as they usually require less training and can handle more responsibilities when they enter the workplace. You may also receive a higher starting salary than those who do not have internship experience and are entering the workforce or starting a new career.
Mentorship
Working as an intern may give students the opportunity to meet a potential mentor and establish a relationship that helps guide their career path.
Network with professionals in the field
The internship provides an opportunity for students to learn from professionals, to ask questions, and to build networks that may connect them to their future careers.
Gain confidence and Professional Experience
Internships allow students to test specific academic techniques learned in the classroom before entering the work world.
Transition into a job
Many companies use internships as a way to enhance their recruitment efforts. In some cases, a company may decide to hire an intern at the end of the assignment.

How do I get started?

The Career Counseling and Planning Center provides centralized programs and services that educate students on the process of obtaining an internship. In addition, the Career Center works with the employer, faculty advisor and the student to assure that the student has a successful transition from the classroom to the workplace. Specifically, the Career Center helps with:

Start freshman year with your career planning and looking to have that internship by the end of freshman year
Search for internships using the resources of the Career Center and job search resources. Look for internships that are tailored to your academic major, your interest and skills
Prepare the perfect cover letter and resume that will get you the interview
Attend the fall and spring career fairs to network with employers
Attend employer information sessions and workshops to network with employers
Get your Linked-in account. Most employers look for students on Linked-In
Make sure to sign-up for PirateLink
Networking with Hampton University alumni, family and friends can help you land that internship!

Receiving Academic Credit

Students may apply for academic credit for internships that meet Hampton University requirements. The student must take the initiative to get all necessary paperwork completed before going on the internship.

Requirements:

Must have full-time status, complete 30 academic house and be accepted into a major
Must maintain 2.5 GPA (departmental GPA requirement may differ)
Must complete all Internship/Cooperative Education required paperwork and return it to the Career Counseling and Planning Center
Must have approval from academic advisor, department chair and dean
Must pay tuition and register for the internship

Process:

Prior to the internship, meet with your academic advisor to outline your goals
Confer with your academic advisor, department chair and dean. Notify the academic advisor of your co-op/internship offer
Bring the signed offer letter to the Career Center and obtain the paperwork required to get academic credit for the internship. Bring your offer to the Career Center as soon as you get it (within 2 week after receiving the letter).
Pre-register/register for the co-op/internship and pay accessed tuition fees by the University’s deadline dates. Be sure to check with the Registrar’s office to verify that you are registered
Register during the same academic semester in which the co-op/internship is active
Contact the Office of Student Accounts for questions pertaining to your tuition payment for your internship

During the Internship:

Review the learning objectives with your supervisor and know the specific responsibilities for the internship
Maintain a positive attitude and perform to the best of your ability
Maintain a professional appearance and behavior
Learn and follow the rules, regulations and other requirements of the job
Immediately notify the Career Center (Internship Coordinator) of any changes or issues that may arise while on the internship
Work the appropriate number of required hours to earn academic credit

Hours Worked # of Credits Earned

075 – 150 1

150 – 225 2

240 – 300 3

Post Internship

All internship final paperwork must be completed to receive academic credit
Send a thank you letter to the employer to express written appreciation for making the internship experience possible
Please meet with the Career Center Internship Coordinator and Faculty Advisor to schedule a discussion on the internship experience

Final Employer Evaluation:

The work supervisor will evaluate the student at the end of the internship based on the students’ performance. The evaluation form will be sent to the student to present to the work supervisor towards the end of the internship. The work supervisor will send the Final Internship Evaluation Form directly to the Career Center Internship Coordinator.

Faculty Advisor

The designated faculty advisor serves as the academic connection between the Career Center, the employer and the student. The Faculty Advisor is available to assist the student in articulating the learning goals and objectives for the internship. The Faculty Advisor should:

Confirms the students eligibility to do an internship
Meet with the student to review and discuss the student’s goals and learning objectives for the internship
Review the internship offer letter
Make sure the internship relates to the student’s academic learning objectives
Review and approve the all internship paperwork
Review the final Employer Evaluation form and student Final Work Report and give a final grade

Student Review While on the Internship

Employer Visitation(s):

The Career Center Internship Coordinator and/or the faculty advisor may contact or visit the work supervisor to confirm the appropriateness of the work site and working conditions, informally evaluate the student progress, and stay apprised of the student’s development on the job.

The focus of the internship program is on the student’s ability to realize his/her responsibility. The internship student will become a functional part of the work environment, what the student does will reflect the policies and standards of Hampton University and the employer. REMEMBER: The Hampton University Code of Conduct applies while you are on the internship!

OUR STAFF

Bessie Willis
Director
757-727-5331
bessie.willis@hamptonu.edu

Acquanett Chance
Assistant Director & Coordinator
Internships & Cooperative Education
757-727-5331
acquanett.chance@hamptonu.edu