Leon County Small Business Information

Through the generous support of FSU’s leadership and administration, the InternFSU: TLH Spring 2024 Pilot Program will select 20 local small businesses to each host one paid InternFSU: TLH student.

  • Local small business: submit your application to participate here, now until October 20th 
    • To qualify for participation in InternFSU: TLH, a company/business must:
      1. Be headquartered in Leon County;
      2. Meet the definition of a small business as detailed in Section 288.703(6) of the Florida Statutes.
    • Please note:
      1. After reviewing local business participation applications, selected internship sites will be notified no later than October 27th.
      2. Each selected 20 local small business internship sites will host 1 intern as a part of the pilot program.

A participating off-campus small business internship site will:

  • provide a quality off-campus internship opportunity*;
  • schedule regular, ongoing 1:1 mentoring and supervision meetings**;
  • fund 100% of the student’s $14/hour wage for a minimum of 120 hours spanning one semester.

          *An InternFSU: TLH experience cannot displace a regular employee position, or be predominantly clerical/administrative duties.

          **Supervisors must be full-time staff of the small business that are qualified to provide mentorship, guidance and leadership in the duties/responsibilities and functions of the work projects assigned to the student intern.

The InternFSU: TLH program will:

  • provide a hiring framework including job description creation and advertisement support;
  • provide a technology platform to facilitate learning objectives, supervision, and mentorship support, and student recognition through transcript notation recognition;
  • reimburse selected employers a total of $1,500 to offset participation costs at the conclusion of the semester

Pilot Program Dates:

  • Spring 2024 semester: January 8 - April 26

          *InternFSU students should not work during University official holidays, such as Spring Break, or finals week. 

Interested, but have questions?

To learn more about the details of participation in the Spring 2024 InternFSU: TLH Pilot Program, including parameters surrounding the intern recruitment process, expected hourly pay rate, work hours, internship supervision process, etc. we invite you to join us for one of our offered virtual employer information and interest sessions via Zoom, https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98270243148:

  • Monday, October 9th 3-4 PM
  • Tuesday, October 10th 9-10 AM
  • Wednesday, October 11th Noon-1 PM
  • Wednesday, October 11th 4-5 PM
  • Thursday, October 12th 9:30-10:30 AM

InternFSU: TLH Internship Position Criteria

InternFSU: TLH experiences must be a major or career-related experiential learning opportunity, outside of the traditional classroom setting, through which students build knowledge while developing transferable skills and abilities.

According to the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE),

An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths, and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.

An InternFSU: TLH experience must have a well-developed job description including the following:

  • Supervisor Name, Phone number and Email Address
    • Example: Brittany Armstrong, Program Assistant, (850) 644-9775
  • Company/Business Physical Address/Location (may not be mailing address)
    • Example:
      The Career Center, Dunlap Success Center
      100 S. Woodward Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32306
  • Company/Business Website
    • Example: http://www.career.fsu.edu
  • Company/Business Mission Statement/Overview
    • Example: The Career Center has creatively developed an effective, collaborative, interdepartmental array of career services for students and other University constituents. The Career Center is directly involved in instruction and research to support our mission. Although administratively located in Student Affairs, Career Center interventions impact virtually every facet of University life, including new student recruitment, employer/community relations, research, and alumni affairs. The Florida State University Career Center strives to be the preeminent career center model for designing and delivering comprehensive, innovative, and inclusive career and employment services. Our values of Inclusion, Compassion, and Respect play a critical role in our mission to: Provide comprehensive career services, train career service practitioners, Conduct life/career development research and disseminate information about life/career services and issues to the University community, the nation, and the world caring for and improving human life.

  • Internship Position Title
    • Select a descriptive title that resonates with the duties/responsibilities and function of the InternFSU: TLH experience
      • Example: Branding Intern or Digital Media Intern or Data Analytics Intern
  • Experience function (select all that apply):
Accounting Environmental/Sustainability Management
Administration Finance
Advertising, Media & Public Relations Fundraising & Event Management
Architecture & Planning General Management
Business Development Hospitality
Community Services Human Resources
Construction/Contracting Information Technology
Consulting Library Science
Counseling Operations/Production
Customer Support Purchasing
Data & Analytics Research
Education/Teacher/Training Sales
Engineering Writing/Editing
Entrepreneurship Other: _________________

 

  • Internship Position Description:
    An effective InternFSU: TLH experience description discloses the learning outcomes a student will gain. When students perceive value in the experience and understand the professional development opportunities available, your qualified applicant pool will grow. Taking the time to write a detailed experience description results in a much higher rate of views by qualified students!
    • Tip: Include the mission of your company/business, description of projects, and qualifications and skills necessary for students to apply. 

       Five Tips for an Effective Experience Description:

  1. Keep it concise!
  2. Use adjectives that accurately describe the work environment and culture (team-oriented, fast-paced, etc.).
  3. Incorporate a compelling (short) description of your Company/Business.
    FSU students may not be familiar with your operations, so adding details builds interest and excitement about your mission and community impact.
  4. Brag on the Supervisor – students want to know who will mentor them!
    Example: “The intern will work under a supervisor, with the opportunity for mentorship, that has 20+ years of experience running multimodal communication strategies for Fortune 500, large non-profits, and lobbying organizations.”
  5. Provide a description of any professional development opportunities available to students.
    Example: “Perks of working with our office include networking with a world-class team, attending meetings with high-level leadership, your own desk, and an occasional ice cream or coffee outing (maybe even lunch!).”

To help in the development of your position description:

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InternFSU: TLH Student Participant Eligibility

InternFSU: TLH student participants must:

 

InternFSU: TLH Company/Business Internship Site Eligibility

To qualify for participation in InternFSU: TLH, a company/business must:

  • Be headquartered in Leon County;
  • Meet the definition of a small business as detailed in Section 288.703(6) of the Florida Statutes.

InternFSU: TLH Posting & Recruitment

Small businesses, headquartered in Leon County: submit your request to participate in the Spring 2024 semester cycle here, now until October 20th, 2023.

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The InternFSU: TLH program will advertise all positions via NoleNetwork for students to apply.  It will use the Career Liaison model, Career Connect Newsletter, and campus partners network to advertise positions to students. 

Company/Business Intern Supervisor will be sent the student applicant packet to select a minimum of 3 applicants to interview.

iNTERNFSU: TLH Hiring Process 
Step Deadline
Small Business, headquartered in Leon County, submits an InternFSU: TLH online position request no later than October 20
 Career Center notification that company/business has been selected for an InternFSU: TLH       spot will be sent no later than  October 27
Company/Business Intern Supervisor attends one mandatory supervisor orientation session November 8, 9 or 10 @ 3 PM via Zoom
Student applicants packet sent to Company/Business Intern Supervisor no later than November 21
 Company/Business Intern Supervisor interviews a minimum of 3 applicants November 21-December 8
 Company/Business Intern Supervisor notifies Career Center  of selected Student Intern no later than December 11
 Company/Business Intern Supervisor notifies student interviewees not selected for the internship position no later than December 15
Company/Business Intern Supervisor works directly with selected Student Intern to complete the Company/Business hiring paperwork December 11-January 8
Student Intern begins work (first week of Spring 2024 semester) January 8-15

InternFSU: TLH InternFSU Supervisor Requirements

Orientation
The Career Center will hold required 45-minute virtual orientation session via Zoom for InternFSU: TLH on November 8 or 9 at 3 PM via Zoom, the link will be sent to all Supervisor directly from the InternFSU@fsu.edu email address.

Program Components
Supervise and mentor Intern(s) for the semester, including the following requirements:

  1. Confirm Intern(s) learning goals;
  2. Hold bi-monthly supervision meetings with their Intern(s). In these meetings discuss project expectations and progress, setting short-term work goals, workplace behaviors, etc.;
  3. Hold an in-person mid-semester evaluation. This presents an opportunity for both Supervisors and Intern(s) to provide structured feedback and recalibrate any project goals or deadlines for the remainder of the semester;
  4. Complete a written final evaluation and hold an in-person meeting. This written evaluation will not be shared with Interns(s) but should be used as a structured exercise to provide a framework for an in-person final evaluation.  The final evaluation meeting presents an opportunity to recap successes and highlight strengths while providing feedback on areas of improvement for professional development;
  5. Complete a brief InternFSU: TLH program evaluation survey at the conclusion of the semester,

Internship Agreement

All InternFSU Supervisors are required to review and sign a Supervisor Agreement.  New Supervisors will receive this document during Orientation.  These must be signed and returned to InternFSU@fsu.edu prior to the start date of the InternFSU student. 

InternFSU: TLH Student Requirements

Orientation

The Career Center will hold a mandatory one-hour virtual orientation for InternFSU: TLH Students January 10, 11 and 12 via Zoom.  InternFSU students will receive an invitation link from InternFSU@fsu.edu

Program Components

InternFSU students will:

  1. Submit three learning goals at the beginning of the semester through the Experience Recognition Program (ERP): "InternFSU: TLH program participants ONLY" option / or submit to their supervisor for approval if receiving academic credit;
  2. Meet with their Supervisor for bi-weekly supervision meetings. In these meetings, project expectations and progress, setting of short-term work goals, workplace behaviors, etc. should be discussed. These meetings allow the Supervisor to guide, correct, and advise Intern(s) on a regular basis;
  3. Complete a written mid-semester evaluation. The written evaluation will not be shared with the Supervisor, but Supervisors will hold an in-person mid-semester evaluation meeting.  This meeting presents an opportunity for both Interns and Supervisors to provide structured feedback and recalibrate any project goals or deadlines for the remainder of the semester;
  4. Complete a written final evaluation. This written evaluation will not be shared with the Supervisor, but Supervisors will hold an in-person final evaluation meeting. This presents an opportunity for both Intern(s) and Supervisors to recap successes and highlight strengths while providing feedback on areas of improvement for continued professional development;
  5. Complete a brief InternFSU program evaluation survey at the conclusion of the semester.
InternFSU: TLH Program Requirements for students
Enroll in the Experience Recognition Program (ERP), "InternFSU: TLH program participants ONLY", or Receive Academic Credit for your InternFSU: TLH Experience

To facilitate learning goals and both the mid-semester and final performance evaluation process, InternFSU student(s) must enroll in the Career Center’s Experience Recognition Program (ERP), "InternFSU: TLH program participants ONLYoption. The exception to this requirement is receiving academic credit for the InternFSU: TLH experience from an academic department.  To find out if your InternFSU: TLH experience qualifies for academic credit, please contact the appropriate academic department prior to submitting your ERP, InternFSU: TLH program participants ONLY application. 

The Experience Recognition Program: "InternFSU: TLH program participants ONLY" is an online course that facilitates eligible FSU degree-seeking students the opportunity to earn transcript notation for engaging in experiential learning opportunities:

  • ERP is a non-credit ( 0 credit hour) bearing course, SDS 3802: Experiential Learning.
  • Students must submit their ERP: "InternFSU: TLH program participants ONLY" application through their NoleNetwork account prior to the close of the official DROP/ADD period for the current semester. Once the Career Center receives your application form, it will be reviewed and students will be enrolled in the SDS 3802 course.  
  • SDS 3802 is a hidden course; students are unable to self-register for SDS 3802 through Student Central. The Career Center automatically registers students for SDS 3802 after their ERP," InternFSU: TLH program participants ONLY" application has been processed and approved through NoleNetwork.
  • SDS 3802 is graded on the S/U system and is administered through Canvas.
  • Students cannot drop on their own, so you must communicate with the the InternFSU staff via InternFSU@fsu.edu
  • Find more information at - http://career.fsu.edu/ERP

NOTE:

InternFSU: TLH Business Reimbursement Process

Step Deadline
A Small Business, headquartered in Leon County, submits an InternFSU: TLH online position request no later than October 20
Career Center notification that Leon County Small Business has been selected for an InternFSU: TLH pilot program participation will be sent no later than  October 27
Leon County Small Business completes Florida State University's Supplier Registration Process, including a Substitute IRS Form W-9 and Vendor Authentication, to be registered as a Vendor with FSU no later than November 3
Leon County Small Business electronically signs the InternFSU: TLH Internship Agreement contract no later than. Please note: this will be executed through FSU's Contract Module, but a Company/Business must first be registered as a Supplier to receive the contract. A PDF version of the InternFSU: TLH Internship Agreement can be viewed here. November 3
Leon County Small Business employs an InternFSU: TLH student intern at a minimum hourly rate of $14/hour for a minimum of 10 hours per week during the Spring 2024 semester. January 8-April 26
Leon County Small Business invoices Florida State University for payment after the semester has concluded within 14 days after the end of the semester. The invoice must specify InternFSU: TLH and state the Student Intern's name, hourly rate, total number of hours worked and total amount due, $1,500 no later than May 10

FAQs

Can companies headquartered in the Greater Tallahassee area participate in the InternFSU: TLH program?

Only companies headquartered in Leon County are eligible to participate in the InternFSU: TLH program.  However, if you would like to talk more about hiring FSU students for part-time or internship opportunities outside of the InternFSU: TLH program, contact the Career Center at HireANole@fsu.edu

Are graduate students eligible?

Graduate students are not eligible to participate in the InternFSU: TLH program. Graduate students have other opportunities for funding, detailed on the Graduate School’s Funding & Awards page.

Is internship pay negotiable?

InternFSU: TLH student participants must be paid a minimum wage of $14.00 per hour. As a participant in the InternFSU: TLH pilot program you are able to set the hourly wage at any rate you would like to be competitive. The InternFSU: TLH program will reimburse participating employer a total of $1,500 for the semester to supplement participation costs. Please contact the InternFSU program at InternFSU@fsu.edu to discuss further questions regarding pay.

Can InternFSU: TLH student participants receive academic credit?

Academic credit is always at the discretion of the student’s major department. The InternFSU: TLH program does not disqualify students from seeking academic credit when possible.  If an InternFSU: TLH student elects to enroll in a for-credit internship course, the InternFSU: TLH program must be notified immediately at InternFSU@fsu.edu

What if an InternFSU: TLH student is not working out?

The  Company/Business Supervisor should contact the InternFSU: TLH program at InternFSU@fsu.edu with any concerns regarding the InternFSU: TLH student's performance and attendance. However, as with any other employee if concerning behaviors are addressed and improvements are not made, InternFSU: TLH students can be terminated as with any other employee.

Can InternFSU: TLH students work outside of the traditional 8 AM-5 PM business hours?

InternFSU: TLH students are not limited to working only during normal business hours of 8 AM-5 PM. However, the alternative work schedule should have been advertised in the internship position description and disclosed during the hiring process. 

Are interns expected to work over FSU observed holidays?

InternFSU: TLH students should not work over FSU observed holidays. The FSU Academic Calendar, including observed holidays, can be found online at https://registrar.fsu.edu/calendar/

Are international students eligible for the InternFSU: TLH program?

Any service or product you provide in exchange for compensation (i.e. money, housing, academic credit, transportation) is considered "work." Any work you do must be authorized in advance.

Unauthorized employment can result in the termination of your F-1 or J-1 visa status. Some examples of unauthorized employment include, but are not limited to:

  • Inappropriate work off-campus (employee at a gas station, waitress at a restaurant, cashier at a grocery store)
  • Babysitting, private tutoring, private language lessons, Uber driving
  • Home or internet business
  • Off-campus internship or job with no Curricular Practical Training (CPT)Optional Practical Training (OPT), or Academic Training (for J-1) authorization
  • Working over 20 hours/week on campus in Spring or Fall semester

More information is available on the Center for Global Engagement’s Employment Page.

Is participation in the InternFSU: TLH program limited to small businesses?

To qualify for participation in the InternFSU: TLH program, businesses must be headquartered in Leon County and meet the definition of a small business detailed in Section 288.703(6) of the Florida Statutes. 

Can a Supervisor or Business/Company have more than one InternFSU: TLH student?

The Pilot Program of the InternFSU: TLH program is limited to 20 positions.  As a result, each selected participating business/company is only eligible to receive one InternFSU: TLH position eligible for reimbursement at the conclusion of the semester.

Can my intern start before the Program start date?

InternFSU: TLH students will start work the first week of classes in the Spring 2024 semester, January 8-11, 2024.

Questions? Email InternFSU@fsu.edu