Wise Works Internship

Thank you for considering an internship through the UVA Wise Works internship program. This program provides paid internships for eligible UVA Wise students interested in working for technology companies.

This program is made possible by the University of Virginia’s Strategic Investment Fund.

Apply for an Internship

Eligibility

To be eligible for WiseWorks internships, students must:

• have completed a minimum of one semester at UVA Wise;
• be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program at UVA Wise;
• have an overall GPA of at least 2.5*
• be in good standing at UVA Wise; and
• be able to meet the health, age, academic, security, and/or related internship criteria of the internship provider (employer)
• Seniors in their last semester at UVA Wise (who are not already in the Wise Works program) are not eligible to apply

*Exceptions considered if a recommendation letter is provided by a faculty member from the student’s area of study.

International Students

International students must be “employment authorized” by holding a valid F-1 Visa. For information about your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion) or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT), please contact your academic advisor or Sass Sheppard (sss7y@uvawise.edu).

Time Commitment

The Wise Works internship program requires students to commit to a minimum number of hours worked per week.

Important

• Students can participate in only one Wise Works internship at a time.
• Students must complete at least one semester or one summer of a Wise Works internship, or the Wise Works internship must have ended, before they are eligible to apply for a different Wise Works internship.
• Seniors in their last semester at UVA Wise (who are not already in the Wise Works program) are not eligible to apply.

Application Process

1. Submit resume, cover letter, and any other required documents to Wise Works. Wise Works staff will forward your application materials to the internship provider; students may not apply directly to the internship provider.
2. If chosen for interviews, participate in person, by phone, or via video.
3. If chosen for internship placement, sign letter of commitment within seven (7) days.
4. Participate in mandatory WiseWorks orientation.
5. Begin internship.
6. Complete a midterm internship review with WiseWorks staff.
7. Complete internship.
8. Submit an evaluation form for the internship process, internship itself, and the internship provider.

While every effort will be made to match students with available opportunities, an internship cannot be guaranteed, due to a variety of factors, such as the timing of student applications, the strength of the applicant pool, employer needs, and funding. For students not matched in the WiseWorks Internship Program, the Office of Career Discovery and Planning will provide advising and resources to assist students in searching for internships through secondary resources.

Information for Employers Offering Internships

Thank you for creating opportunities for students to learn and apply their skills, knowledge and education.

Recruiting Guidelines

Employers are encouraged to adhere to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines as well as Principles for Employment Professionals from National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Organizations are responsible for the ethical and legal conduct of their representatives throughout recruitment for internships and should make a full and accurate presentation of all relevant information.

The Process

Students registered with Wise Works will submit resumes, cover letters, or other required documents to Wise Works staff. We will forward these materials to your organization. Employers may not contact students directly.

On-Campus Interviews and Activities

When conducting on-campus interviews or other activities related to the recruitment of interns through the Wise Works program, employers must coordinate visits to the College at Wise through Wise Works. This process ensures employers will have space reserved and that their activities comply with College guidelines and policies.

Internship Best Practices

• Provide interns real work related to their major that is valuable and challenging.
• Hold an orientation session for managers, mentors, and interns. This ensures that everyone understands expectations and roles.
• Provide interns a handbook that answers FAQs and communicates company rules, such as appropriate attire, use of smart phones, etc.
• Encourage your employees to support the socialization and professional development of the interns.
• Make sure interns have resources to complete their assignments, such as space to work, office supplies, and access to technology.
• Give interns a lot of feedback and be open to feedback from them.
• Conduct exit interviews with interns.

If you do not have an established internship program and would like to learn about Wise Works partially subsidized internships, contact Kayla Baker at 276-376-1081 or kb5kr@uvawise.edu.