All internship applicants must complete the online application found at this website, along with submitting a $35 non-refundable application fee. This fee allows the individual to apply for as many internships as he or she desires for the 2013 process, a subscription to the digital Talking Stick, digital Journal of College & University Student Housing, and access to all member benefits through October 1, 2013.
Adhering to the official ACUHO-I Internships timetable will help ensure a fair and smooth process. Once interns have successfully submitted their profile and resume, they should begin to prepare for the next steps in the process. It is our hope that candidates will be able to find the opportunity that is right for them, and ask that you think beyond your comfort level and consider any of the internship openings.
Each year ACUHO-I encourages interns to apply for a stipend offsets costs associated with travel to and from their internship host site. Stipend amounts vary and are awarded based on need and availability. Interns who apply for the travel stipend should not wait to make travel arrangements as awards are not guaranteed. Please direct questions about the travel stipend process to housinginternships@acuho-i.org.
- February 28 - Travel stipend applications available
- March 28 - Travel stipend applications due
- April 11 - Interns notified of stipend status
- Week of April 22 - Stipends mailed to recipients
GENERAL INTERNSHIP INFORMATION
Q. How do you apply to be considered as an intern?
A. To apply candidates must complete the online Intern Profile and submit a $35 application processing fee. Candidates must include all required information and upload a resume to be considered.
Q. What are the benefits of participating in the internship program?
A. Interns get a broader experience by accomplishing new tasks and being exposed to a different housing operation at a different institution. Interns learn about the administration of student housing and will be able to bring new ideas to contribute to the host institution. In addition, interns get a chance to interact with potential future employers and mentors.
Q. How long do the internships last?
A. Internships generally last between 8-12 weeks but vary depending on the academic calendar observed at the host institution. Most internships begin in mid-May and run through early August. Host Sites are often willing to work with interns to tailor specific dates in order to accommodate academic obligations, travel arrangement timings, etc. If, however, intern candidates only have four weeks or less of availability, we have found it less likely that they will be offered a position. It is critical that interns know when they need to be back at their respective institution for either training and/or the start of classes. By taking these obligations into consideration prior to accepting a position, interns can help ensure that their host site won’t be left in a bind.
Q. Who can apply?
A. Any currently enrolled student (undergraduate or graduate) can apply. Those who are scheduled to graduate in December or May are eligible to participate in this program as well. It is not necessary to be a member of ACUHO-I to apply as an intern. Host sites, however, must be institutional members of ACUHO-I.
Q. What is the likelihood that an undergraduate candidate will be offered an internship?
A. While some host sites offer positions to undergraduates and /or have no preference, many are primarily geared to graduate students. If an undergraduate candidate is interested in a site that is looking for a graduate student, it is recommended that they include a letter of support from a mentor or someone at their housing institution that can speak to their abilities, in additional to providing all other application information. Please note that undergraduate freshmen and sophomore candidates often find their chances of being offered an internship to be more difficult, especially if they have less than two years of residence hall experience.
Q. What are some of the typical assignments or projects in which interns participate?
A. While this will vary according to the host site, interns often work between 30-40 hours per week and have a wide range of opportunities. These opportunities may include serving on committees, developing publications, revising manuals, supervising summer student staff, creating programs, assisting with training development, and a wide variety of projects that are site and internship specific.
Q. What type of compensation is provided?
A. ACUHO-I requires that host sites provide their intern(s) with free room and board (or its equivalent) as a minimum. Given that the compensation packages vary significantly from institution to institution (and are dependent on many factors, including the length of the internship, number of weekly office hours required, etc.), we don't have a “typical” compensation standard for student interns. Some host sites are able to compensate their interns(s) with highly competitive stipends, while others are only able to offer minimum wage or non-paying internships. Whenever possible, many host sites will also provide enhanced compensation packages, offering benefits such as parking, recreation center usage, health insurance, family housing, travel reimbursement, access to local transportation, etc.
Q. I just submitted my application, now what?
A. At this point you have time to refine your resume and cover letter and upload them into the database. Once you've done this you are all set until the date designated on the timeline as Contact Period begins. In the meantime it will be helpful for you to determine what sort of specific experiences you would like to look for in your internship, types of schools you might be interested in learning more about, completing some mock interviews, etc. This way once the contact period begins in January, you will be prepared to enter the interview process to the best of your ability.
THE INTERVIEW PROCESS
Q. How do you request an interview?
A. In terms of contact, it works two ways, host sites will contact those candidates that they think might be a good match for their position. Candidates are also encouraged to contact those host sites that they are most interested in. Ultimately, it is up to the host site to review applications, check references, and contact candidates to extend an interview opportunity. Contact between hosts and candidates should be initiated through the application database. Follow-up contact after the initial introductions may be via email or phone or whichever mode of communication the host site prefers.
NOTE: Host sites already have access to the candidates' applications and resumes. DO NOT fax or mail additional items unless specifically requested to do so.
Q. How are interviews conducted?
A. Interviews are done primarily as phone interviews. These phone interviews are done as either a conference call or as a one-on-one phone interview. Candidates that have never experienced a phone interview before should speak with a supervisor or mentor about how to adequately prepare and what to expect. There are a handful of institutions that may have the capacity to utilize a webcam for their interviews, but should notify candidates of this opportunity at the time they offer the interview.
THE OFFER PROCESS
Q. How are the offers made?
A. Once it is time for offers to be made, they will be done through the internship database. Host sites will be required to log-in to the system to extend an offer formally (although they are also encouraged to make contact in person first). Once the host site has “offered” through the system, candidates will need to log-in from their end and “accept” the offer. It is imperative that both host site coordinators and internship candidates follow all instructions provided, so that ACUHO-I has accurate records of who will be interning at each location. Please note that the internship selection process will continue until all of the positions are filled, so candidates and hosts alike may go through multiple rounds of the information review and interview process.
Q. What if I’m offered a position I’m not really interested in? I don’t want to burn any bridges by declining a position.
A. As student affairs professionals we understand that “fit” is important for both the candidate as well as the host site and we expect for people to turn us down every now and again. The important part of maintaining healthy networking connections in the field is to be honest and timely in letting a host site know that you are not in a place to be able to accept their offer. The sooner they know, the sooner they can move on to the next candidate on their list that might be a great fit.
Q. Can I decline a position that I have already accepted? Something unexpected has come up and I won't be able to participate in the program.
A. In this situation, candidates need to contact their host site coordinator and explain their situation. Host site coordinators do understand, but please be aware that accepting a position is a commitment and do not take the decision lightly.
FINAL STEPS
Q. Is there an opportunity to request assistance in paying for my travel expenses for my internship?
A. If selected as an intern, candidates have the opportunity to apply for a travel stipend from the Housing Internship Committee. The Travel Stipend Request Form is not available until early spring, after the offer process has begun. Information regarding the specifics of this process will be available at a later date.
Q. Is there an intern listserv that is accessible to other candidates?
A. As part of the application process for the upcoming year, candidates can opt to have their contact information shared with other candidates upon request. The ACUHO-I Summer Intern List-serve will allow interns the opportunity to interact with one another, share their respective experiences and network within their region for reasons of professional development. Interns will receive more information about this opportunity after offers have been made.
Q. Will interns get an opportunity to evaluate the internship process and experience?
A. The process is evaluated at the end of the summer via an online survey generated by the Internship Committee. ACUHO-I depends on feedback to help make this program and its processes better, so all interns are asked to participate in the survey when the time comes.
Q. What if I no longer want to be considered as a candidate, can I withdraw?
A. Candidates can withdraw at any time. Every year there are candidates that withdraw from the process due to a number of reasons. Candidates will need to logon to the internship database and edit their profile. At the bottom of the profile, there is a checkbox labeled: “Disable Profile”. This box must be checked to withdraw the candidate from the process. This will ensure that candidates do not continue to receive reminder e-mails and that host sites that are searching for candidates will no longer be able to see that candidate’s name. To re-enter the process, the same steps should be followed to uncheck the box referenced above. This is the process that should be used if candidates have not been offered a position yet. Those who have been offered and/or accepted an offer should follow the steps listed here but also see the question below.
Any questions about the Housing Internship Program can be directed here or by calling the ACUHO-I central office at 614.292.0099.