Resources
Find an Intern
WSU Tri-Cities promotes a range of internship options for students. These include internships:
- For pay
- Not-for-pay
- For academic credit
- Not-for-credit
PAY STATUS
- Internships for Pay
Internships for pay are an employment arrangement between the student and the employer. These internships or student employment opportunities may be with a for-profit company, a public agency or not-for-profit organization. The student and employer are responsible for negotiating job responsibilities, day/hours/location of employment, compensation, and other customary employment parameters.
- Internships without Pay
- For-profit companies: The Department of labor considers there to be no employment relationship between a for-profit company and a student intern, and the Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime provisions do not apply to the intern, if six criteria are met:
- The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;
- The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern;
- The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;
- The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded;
- The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and
- The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.
- Public agencies and not-for-profit organizations: Individuals who volunteer or donate their services for public service, religious or humanitarian objectives, not as employees and without contemplation of pay, are not considered employees of the organizations that receive their service, according to the Department of Labor. Under the FLSA, a public agency volunteer cannot receive any compensation, but may be paid “expenses, reasonable benefits, or a nominal fee, or any combination thereof.” As a general rule, the Department finds that a fee (apart from expenses) paid is nominal as long as it does not exceed 20 percent of the amount that otherwise would be required to hire a permanent employee for the same services. If a stipend exceeds $600 in a calendar year, it must be reported as 1099 income. It is recommended that all nonprofits using volunteers have these individuals sign agreements at the beginning of the volunteer relationship to clearly establish that there is no expectation of compensation and that the work they are performing is ordinary volunteerism and not related to any commercial enterprise.
ACADEMIC CREDIT STATUS
Students may work with their academic advisor and a faculty member to identify the options for receiving academic credit for their internship experience. It is recommended that the student, faculty member, and employer sign an agreement that documents the scope of the student’s work, deliverables, and duration of the internship.
Services offered to employers by the Career Development Center:
The CDC can assist employers and organizations, if so requested, by collecting resumes and providing limited screening for required qualifications related to an applicant’s academic status such as a specific degree (i.e., accounting majors only) or academic year (e.g., juniors and seniors only). The CDC is not able to verify GPA or provide other confidential student information.
- Internships for Pay: The CDC can post and promote paid internship opportunities for employers using communications methods similar to promoting other paid employment opportunities. The CDC will request specific information from employers to ensure that students can accurately evaluate potential opportunities.
- Internships without Pay: The CDC can post and promote unpaid internships for organizations who provide an authorized submission ensuring compliance with DOL requirements. The CDC will request specific information from employers to ensure that students can accurately evaluate potential opportunities.
Career Services for Employers
The WSU Tri-Cities Career Fair provides recruiters with the opportunity to connect with top students from a major university with academic programs ranked among the best in the nation. WSU Tri-Cities students from all majors and all grade levels, WSU alumni and the general public attend looking for employment, internship, and graduate school opportunities. Click on this link to get additional information and to register: Career Fair
Hire a Student
Does your business or organization seek to hire part-time, seasonal, temporary, and internships for current students?
Or, are you seeking a student who is near graduation or has already received a degree?
Click on this link for our free posting service that reaches all WSU students: WSU CareerLink
For additional assistance in promoting your job or internship opportunity on campus, contact the Career Development Center at careers@tricity.wsu.edu or 509-372-7600.
Find a Work Study Student
For more than 25 years, Washington employers have turned to the State Work Study program to help with their part-time staffing needs. Employers like you can hire bright, energetic college students while previewing talent for future hire. To encourage employers like you to participate, the state will reimburse 65% to 80% of the student's wages. You save money on wages, on-the-job training, and save again on future recruitment and hiring costs. Also, as a participating employer, you're not the only one who benefits. You help students explore career options, hone skills, and gain practical experience while they earn money for college. For more information on becoming a participating employer, contact Dallas Barnes.