Post a Job or Internship

What is Cooperative Education?
Commonly known as a “co-op”, it provides academic credit for a structured job experience which is supervised by a Faculty Program Coordinator. It is a college experience in which students work part-time, acquiring academic credit along with on-the-job training directly related to their academic major and career interest. Students will register and pay for a Co-op.

What is an internship?
An internship is a career-related work experience during which a student assumes a meaningful, challenging role outside the traditional college environment. Internships are mutually beneficial to both employer and student, however, there must be a mentoring component to fulfill the requirements of a college internship. Internships are more flexible than Co-ops since they are not tied to an academic semester. Start date and end date is determined by employer and student.

What are the advantages of hiring a college intern?
RVCC interns bring the latest skill sets to the workplace, along with their enthusiasm and motivation. In combining college coursework with hands-on experience in their chosen career, they develop abilities in not only their specific field of study, but also in communication, critical thinking, and the ability to work in a team environment. The internship experience provides a win-win for both the employer and the student.

There is never any charge for an employer to post an internship or job opportunity with RVCC.

Criteria for Internship Positions:

• Job duties must be quality-based, for the purpose of practical instruction in the student's chosen field of study/career. Menial work is not acceptable.
• A mentoring component is essential to the internship experience.
• Student interns will be expected to follow established company rules and regulations which have been clearly stated and presented to the student in writing.
• Hours of work and rate of pay will be decided between the intern and the company and clearly stated in writing.
• Placement can be short-term, long-term, and indefinite or internship-to-direct hire.
• Interns will never be asked to skip a class in order to meet employer demands.
• Should any problems arise with the intern, the company must immediate notify Alicia Hermo-Weaver at 908-526-1200 x8213 or Alicia.Hermo-Weaver@raritanval.edu.

Employer Benefits

1. Academically trained, enthusiastic students who are amenable to training and criticism
2. Quality candidates for temporary or seasonal positions.
3. Establishment of a relationship with RVCC Career Services and receive assistance with other placement needs.
4. Reduced training and recruitment costs.
5. Provides the opportunity to evaluate potential employers with long-term commitment.
6. Helps employers with seasonal needs, short term research studies and special projects.
7. Frees up professional staff to maximize their contributions and pursue other projects.
8. Open opportunities for future college/employer collaboration.
9. Year round source of highly motivated pre-professionals.
10. Students bring new perspectives to old problems.
11. Marketing tool for your company enhancing visibility of your organization.

First Steps:

• Determine the needs of your organizations and obtain employee buy-in
• Familiarize yourself with legalities surrounding student interns
• Develop a position description and compensation plan for the student intern
• Post the position on Handshake
• Interview students for internship positions just as you would potential employees
• Provide candidates with a comprehensive job description
• Once an offer is extended, discuss and make available in writing pay rate and frequency, benefits/perks.
• Provide orientation for student interns with a check list to ensure essential points of company operation and job duties are addressed.

Key Items to Cover with New Student Intern:

• Introduction of intern to staff
• Office equipment operations
• Confidentiality and security agreements
• Safety issues
• General code of conduct
• Dress code, normal business hours, lunch and break times
• Parking arrangement

Introduce intern to his/her mentor/supervisor, who will:

• Work with student to arrange weekly schedule
• Schedule meetings with student on a regular basis
• Develop clear expectations and provide timely and constructive feedback on a regular basis
• Provide student with challenging, meaningful work. Menial tasks may be a portion of intern’s assignment, but the bulk of the work should provide the student with practical, hands-on experience in their field
• Treat student intern as a valuable member of the company team
• Educate intern on the history, operation and mission of the company
• Invite intern to attend appropriate meetings and presentations
• Ensure mentor/supervisor is available and open to questions. Remember this is a learning experience for the student. Regular meetings are highly suggested.
• Keep an on-going performance file on each intern for future reference

Did you remember to?

1. Complete an evaluation and review with the intern upon completion of internship.
2. Remember to address any issue that may arise with both the intern and RVCC’s Internship Coordinator.
3. Go to your College Central Network Employer Page and let us know if you hired an RVCC Student!
4. Let the Internship Coordinator know when your position has been filled, when the internship has ended, and if you have other internships you would like to post.
5. Answer a brief survey for our office about the satisfaction of your experience.

To register and post your position:

1. Go to Handshake
2. Instructions for setting up your account

Reserve a Recruiting Table
Employers -- Talk to and recruit potential employees on the Raritan Valley Community College campus. Tables are conveniently located in a high traffic area (usually adjacent to the cafeteria or bookstore). To reserve a table on Campus, contact the The Career Services Office at Saiusa.kongsakorn@raritanval.edu or 908-526-1200 x8934.

Internships
Alicia Hermo-Weaver, Ed.D., GCDF
Manager, Office of Career Success and Experiential Learning
908-526-1200 x8213
Alicia.hermo-weaver@raritanval.edu

Full & Part-Time Positions
careerservices@raritanval.edu

Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination & Safety Reporting Policy for Students in the Work Environment

HARASSMENT & DISCRIMINATION

RVCC is committed to engaging students in a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. RVCC will not tolerate any form of harassment, sexual harassment, intimidation, discrimination or retaliation. RVCC students have a right to a work in an environment that is safe, free from discrimination, discriminatory harassment and/or retaliation of any kind. The "employer" agrees to provide such a work environment to RVCC students. RVCC will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of or by anyone at the worksites. 

RVCC students have the right to expect professional conduct from all those with whom they work, be it supervisors, peers or subordinates. Likewise, the "employer" and its employees have the right to expect professional conduct from RVCC students they employ and mentor. 

Harassment consists of unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical or visual, that is based on a person’s protected status, such as race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, civil union status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law or regulation. It can consist of conduct or communication that is pervasive enough to make a reasonable person believe that the working environment has become hostile or offensive. The conduct does not have to be sexual in nature and does not have to involve physical contact. It can include, but is not limited to, inappropriate sexual remarks, unwelcome sexual advances, pressure for sexual activity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks, racial or religious slurs, innuendos, verbal abuse disguised as humor, or any comment or conduct that makes you feel anxious, or demeaned or threatened in any way. Harassment can take many different forms, but whatever form it takes, no RVCC student should tolerate it. RVCC has policies and procedures in place for handling harassment issues on the student’s behalf. 

Sexual Harassment is discriminatory behavior that a reasonable person would perceive as demeaning, aggressive, and/or threatening. It is not just the actions of others; it is how these actions affect an individual personally, and affect work performance, location, assignments and other areas. 

Behaviors that may constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Pressure for sexual activity
• Unwelcome sexual advances
• Unnecessary brushes or touching
• Disparaging remarks about one’s gender
• Sexual innuendos or persistent use of sexually suggestive or offensive language
• Verbal abuse disguised as humor
• Obscene gestures
• Offensive remarks about clothing, body parts, or activities
• Making an educational or employment decision/benefit based on submission to sexual conduct. It may be perceived that one must tolerate sexual advances or engage in a sexual relationship in order to continue the placement, to achieve advancement, or to avoid adverse consequences such as poor evaluations. Similarly, it is unlawful to condition favorable treatment such as preferred assignments on acceptance of sexual advances or relations. 

Harassment may take different forms. Whatever form it takes, it will not be tolerated in the workplace. 

SAFETY 

All RVCC students have the right to work in an environment that is safe. Students’ physical and emotional safety are of the utmost concern. No student should be exposed to any physical, biological or chemical hazards or risks. During the course of a student’s work placement, there may be risks related to the experience and uncertainty of future events. Following are examples of some potential hazards or risks: 

• Outdoor exposure to weather, pollution, noise, or other hazards
• Potential exposure to infectious disease
• Unsafe neighborhood or being sent to unsafe locations
• Remote, poorly lit, or unsecured parking areas
• Dangerous intersections or roadways
• Being left alone in a building or at the work site
• Indoor exposure to machinery, extreme temperatures, or other structural hazards
• Dangerous, infected, or contagious animals, plants or other hazards
• Office or laboratory equipment and chemicals (toner, chemicals, cleaning products) 

There are four basic steps in assessing and managing risk: 

1. Identify potential hazards, risks, or concerns.
2. Understand guidelines and expectations of the internship or job site and supervisor.
3. Consider solutions to potential problems.
4. Follow the procedure for reporting an incident or concern as stated below. 

REPORTING AN INCIDENT OR CONCERN 

No RVCC student should feel unsafe or uncomfortable at his/her worksite. Students are required to report any incidents of discrimination or harassment or any safety concern or discomfort at the worksite. If you feel that your safety and/or well-being are at risk or that you are being harassed, please leave the Site immediately and report the situation immediately to: 

1. Human Resources at the worksite AND
2. Dr. Alicia Hermo-Weaver, Manager of Career Success & Experiential Learning at 908-526-1200 X8213, alicia.hermo-weaver@raritanval.edu AND
3. Cheryl Wallace, Vice President of Human Resources at 908-526-1200 ext. 8260,  cheryl.wallace@raritanval.edu

This allows both the "employer" and the College the opportunity to promptly respond. Report the incident and your concerns after you have removed yourself from possible harm. RVCC would never expect a student to stay at any site that is, or has the potential to be, an unsafe environment. Document all facts including, but not limited to, date, time, and persons involved, and the situation as you observed it. RVCC will work with the student to remedy same and/or remove the student from any unsafe environment immediately. Know that RVCC will act as soon as possible in accordance with the College’s procedures and with the student’s protection as a priority. 

Students reporting an incident or concern under this policy are assured that such a report shall have no impact on the student's grade or academic standing within the College. All reports can be confidential.

Personal counselors are available for assistance in the Advising and Counseling Office and can be reached at personalcounseling@raritanval.edu.

STUDENT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND JOB EXPECTATIONS 

• During this work experience, you are representing yourself, RVCC, its students, faculty, staff and alumni.
• Your performance and attitude will have implications beyond you and beyond this internship/job.
• You are governed by the internship/job site’s employment policies, procedures, dress code, privacy or confidentiality agreements, and standards of conduct. It is recommended that you obtain clear guidelines from your employer before you begin your internship/job.
• For experiential learning opportunities, your commitment to on-site work is important. You are responsible for notifying the RVCC Department Coordinator of absences according to their policies and procedures. Any changes in your status (layoff, cutback of hours, or dismissal) must be reported immediately to the RVCC Department Coordinator.
• You may not withdraw from the placement without prior authorization from the RVCC Department Coordinator except in severe and justifiable circumstances, which is determined by the RVCC Department Coordinator in consultation with the site.