Career Internship Certification Program (CICP)

• Are you unable to get (or want) academic or DIS credit for your internship?
• Did you miss the Career Center’s deadline to register or there is not a course on file for your major to receive “University Recognition” (a notation) on your transcript?
• Did you complete your internship last semester or even two semesters ago?
• Do you want to be "recognized" for successfully completing an internship?
• Does your employer require formal approval or supervision by an official representative of FSU before hiring you?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you might want to consider the Career Internship Certification Program (CICP) sponsored by the FSU Career Center.

What is an internship?

An internship is typically a single-semester or at least six week, paid or unpaid major or minor related work experience designed to help students understand the professional applications, theories, ideas, principles and concepts of their current academic studies. An internship differs from a short-term job or volunteer experience in that the student enters in to it with intentional learning goals and a plan for reflection on learning. They also allow students an opportunity to identify and strengthen skills needed in their current field of study and to gain professionally relevant experience.

Internship Certification Criteria:

• Major/minor or career-related duties and responsibilities must be clearly outlined
• Minimum of 6 weeks in duration
• Minimum of 10 work hours per week
• Currently in an internship or completed within last  two semesters or up to one year after graduation
• Approved by the Career Center

Benefits of participating in the CICP:

• Offers you the opportunity to have your internship officially recognized by the FSU Career Center.
• Receive a Certification of Completion for a current or past major/minor related internship experience.
• Reflection and feedback on workplace learning, performance, and accomplishments.
• No tuition fees or other costs to participate in program.
• Open to all degree-seeking FSU students, recent alumni and all majors/minors.
• An achievement to include on your resume or career portfolio.
• Eligible to be nominated for the Florida Career Professionals Association (FCPA) and Cooperative Education & Internship Association (CEIA) Student Intern of the Year Award.

How to Apply to Participate in the Career Internship Certification Program (CICP)

Step 1
Complete the Co-op/Intern Student Placement Report  (Application). Within two (2) business days, you will receive an e-mail to continue the internship certification process, given you meet all of the minimum criteria.

Note: Do not proceed to Step 2 until you have received approval via e-mail to do so.

Step 2
Complete and submit online the following Career Internship Certification Program (CICP) reports and evaluations.

Note: If you have already completed your internship, please submit all 3 of the student reports immediately. If you are just starting or will begin your internship shortly, please follow the submission timelines provided. Each report/evaluation is used as one tool to assess "intentional learning" and knowledge gained during your internship experience. Your receipt of a Certificate of Completion is linked directly to the content recorded on these reports. Therefore, you should provide clear, sufficient, thoughtful, and meaningful responses.

A. Learning Objectives (Due within 2 weeks after starting the internship).

Sample Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely Learning Objectives
1. "Increase sales and event awareness in the Children's Department by keeping all displays current and stocked."
2. "Learn how to effectively use equipment necessary to produce and air a top-notch TV news sportcast show."
3. "Design an internal structural configuration for simple trusses, beams, columns, and shafts in order to meet specified leading and deformation criteria."
4. "Solve a system of linear equations using matrix inverse and matrix calculations."
5. "Learn what is entailed in editing and producing lifestyles magazines and improve my writing skills that will prepare me to work for this type of publication."

B. Follow-up Report (Due within 2 weeks after starting the internship)

This report tells us about your initial arrival at your internship assignment and that you "settled-in" and received an appropriate orientation or overview of the organization/company. It also gives you an opportunity to discuss your first impressions of your internship and worksite.

C. Student Final Performance Report (This report is due by the last day of classes of the current semester.)

This is a prime opportunity for an overall reflection of your work experience in its entirety. Reflection is a strategy that sets internships apart from part-time or other student jobs. Reflecting will help you understand and articulate what you have discovered about yourself as well as your skills, values, career and personal interests. It also helps you to make informed decisions about your career choices and your place in the world of work.

Answer all of the questions with thoughtfulness. A yes/no or a one word response does not provide adequate information to assess your learning experience and it will not be accepted as a complete report. A well written report is an excellent way to pull together your thoughts on your experience, while developing good, clear communication skills, which are valued by all employers.

D. Supervisor Performance Evaluation (This evaluation is due by the last of classes of the current semester.)

This is another tool used to get feedback about what you learned, new skills and knowledge acquired and your overall work performance during your internship from your supervisor’s perspective. This report will be e-mailed directly to your immediate supervisor 1-2 weeks prior to the last day of classes. Please provide an accurate e-mail address for your supervisor on the Follow-up Report. It is your responsibility to alert your supervisor that this evaluation will be e-mailed to them by the Career Center.

Step 3

A Career Internship Certification of Completion will be awarded to students who "successfully" complete each component in Steps 1-3 and received a minimum Satisfactory evaluation by their supervisor. Please e-mail or call 850-644-3459 to verify your Certificate is ready and arrange a time to pick it up at the Career Center, 100 South Woodward Avenue, Tallahassee, FL. You may also request it be mailed to you. However, please allow 2-3 weeks from the date all paperwork is received and reviewed by our office.

IMPORTANT: All reports and evaluations must be submitted on or before the last day of classes in the semester in which you are applying for a career internship certification of completion.

Semester	Final Deadline
Fall 2011	Friday, December 9, 2011
Spring 2012	Friday, April 20, 2012
Summer 2012	Friday, July 27, 2012

For questions or additional information, call the Career Center at 850.644.3459