Internship Program

Internships are mutually beneficial to employers, students, and the Elkhart Area Career Center.

Employer benefits

• Complete project work that may be on the back burner
• Increase productivity
• Reduce recruiting costs
• Bring fresh, innovative perspectives to your organization

Hosting an intern can allow employers to:

• Provide a candidate with a rich learning experience
• Influence school curriculum
• Encourage talent to stay in the community
• Gain short-term talent
• Increase diversity within the organization
• Offer management experience to employees working as intern supervisors
• Remain competitive within their industry
• Market their company via word of mouth
• Begin training potential full-time employees
• Build enthusiasm within the organization

Student/intern benefits

• Apply academic coursework in a professional setting
• Explore and confirm career interests
• Build a résumé and portfolio
• Fulfill high school graduation requirements
• Observe various departments within an organization
• Discover personal talents
• Earn possible college credit
• Identify ideal job characteristics
• Develop responsibility and transferable skills
• Grow a professional network
• Potential for full-time employment at the internship site

EACC benefits

• Strengthen partnerships between school and community
• Improve student retention through real-world relevance
• Enhance curriculum through industry input
• Support program growth through student and community interest

Students who wish to complete an internship must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be recommended by their EACC instructor
• Complete all prerequisites as defined by their instructor
• Maintain a grade of C (75%) or higher in the first year of their EACC program
• Have completed a Project-Based Learning project
• Have no suspensions or expulsions on their high school discipline record
• Have reliable transportation to and from the internship site
• Be covered under parent/guardian automotive and health insurance

Some internship sites may have additional requirements based on company policy, such as health screenings, vaccinations, uniforms, and/or background checks.

Each program's curriculum aligns with state-established CTE/NLPS (Career Tech Ed / Next Level Program of Study) pathways, PLUS:

• Program advisory boards with local business representatives
• Guest speakers from within each program's industry
• Career field exploration and work site field trips
• Employability skills panel with local business representatives
• Mock interviews with local business representatives
• Student organizations provide additional hands-on experience

• An internship is more than “an extra hand” in the workplace. While students may assist with administrative or routine tasks, the majority of their time should focus on learning occupational skills. Worksite learning should be an extension of what they have learned—or are currently learning—in the classroom.
• Host a site visit with the instructor or career coordinator to review company policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Collaborate with the instructor and student to complete the internship application, including an Internship Learning Plan that outlines the scope of the experience.
• Establish an internship supervisor to oversee the student, provide guidance, and serve as the point of contact for questions and support.
• Prepare the student through a formal employee orientation process.
• Approve weekly time sheets submitted by the intern.
• Participate in a mid-internship review and complete a final evaluation in collaboration with the student and instructor.

An Internship Learning Plan serves as the guiding document for each student’s internship experience. It is included in the internship application and must be signed by the student, instructor, and employer. Each plan is customized to the individual student and outlines the specific objectives and expectations of the internship. A complete Internship Learning Plan includes the following components:

• Schedule – Specifies the days and times the student will be at the internship site.
• Occupational/Trade Skills and Competencies
  • Each EACC program follows learning competencies established by the Indiana Department of Education through the Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS).
  • The student, instructor, and worksite supervisor should review the relevant NLPS competencies and identify those to be addressed during the internship.
  • Competencies should be selected across three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. The plan must include three from each level.
  • The list of NLPS competencies for each program is available on the Next Level Programs of Study website.
• Employability Skills Framework
  • Focuses on skills in three areas: applied knowledge, effective relationships, and workplace skills.
  • The student, instructor, and supervisor should identify how these skills will be demonstrated or developed during the internship.
• Safety Training — Outlines how the intern will be trained in safety procedures, including the employer’s safety protocols, safe storage and handling of tools/equipment, and how to report safety concerns.
• Timelines — For each section—Occupational/Trade Skills and Competencies, Employability Skills Framework, and Safety Training—timelines should be defined to indicate when the student is expected to learn or complete each item.