1. Center for Transformational
Learning and Leadership
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, HUMAN,
AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES
The Center for Transformational
Learning and Leadership
I N T E R N S H I P

2. The CAHNRS Center for Transformational Learning and Leadership
(CTLL) provides students with opportunities to gain industry-relevant work
experience while allowing industry personnel to connect with members of
their future work force. The CTLL creates a bridge between your organization
and talented students. By creating an internship you facilitate a win-win
scenario for CAHNRS graduates and for your business.
INTERNSHIP BASICS
What You Should Know
■ An internship is an on-site, pre-professional experience providing
exposure to career options and work responsibilities.
■ Internships provide students with opportunities to gain practical work
experience and to identify essential skills for professional success.
■ Internship length can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months depending
on the position.
■ Students are often required to enroll in college credits for internships as
part of the curriculum requirements of their major.
INTERNSHIP GUIDELINES
Establishing Your Internship Program
■ Consider your organization’s ability to provide meaningful work assign-
ments, and to invest time in interns through training and supervision.
■ Begin by locating a staff member who would enjoy and benefit from
working with an intern.
■ Ensure that the intern supervisor is a professional in the field, and is
committed to, and capable of, providing structure and constructive
feedback to the intern.
■ Develop goals and learning objectives for the intern and identify the
intern’s projects and activities.
■ Consider your ability to accommodate the
presence of an intern into your work
environment.
■ Assess whether it is feasible for you
to provide financial support for the
intern and the experience.
Provide an
Opportunity
Working at Northwest Farm Credit Services
has reinforced coursework, given me valuable
insight into what I will look for in a full-time
position, and helped me gain experience that
will assist me in my future career.”
» Jenica Hagler
Junior, School of Econimic Sciences
“
This program is designed
to be mutually beneficial.
The intern will acquire
significant life experience
and gain insight into your
business or workplace.
In return, you will have
access to an energetic,
enthusiastic, and creative
student, who may become
a future employee or
colleague.”
» Kimberlee K. Kidwell
CTLL Director,
Executive Associate Dean CAHNRS
“

3. Having a good internship
is so important. We need
to experience our work in
the real world. Having a
position with a company
during college helps
make WSU students more
competitive and helps us
begin our careers.”
STEP 1: Gaining Access to WSU Students
■ The first step is to create a company overview, job description, and qual-
ifications for the position. Include a brief description of projects, tasks,
compensation, location, and time commitment required.
■ Several options are available for recruiting WSU CAHNRS students:
• Register on CAHNRS CougLink, our online internship portal
(ctll.cahnrs.wsu.edu/internship/employer-link)
• Attend the annual CAHNRS Networking Night
• Create a Customized Recruitment Event with our CTLL staff
The CAHNRS CTLL staff can assist you with the recruitment process. Please
contact us at (509) 335-2243 or email ctll.leader@wsu.edu.
STEP 2: Preparing for the Internship
■ Review the CAHNRS CTLL Internship Handbook and the Internship
Mentor Checklist for tips, information and documents for mentors to
complete before the internship starts.
http://ctll.cahnrs.wsu.edu/internships/handbook/
■ Meet with your intern to discuss the job description and expected
outcomes, decide on start and end dates, and finalize any required
documents for signatures.
■ Orient the intern to your work site through a tour and acquaint them
with the mission, goals, and policies of your company.
■ Provide your staff with background information about the intern’s project
and responsibilities.
STEP 3: Evaluating Your Intern
■ Evaluation is a key component of a successful internship. The constructive
feedback that you provide will guide the student’s professional develop-
ment. We provide opportunities to enhance the experience for you and
your intern by participating in a guided evaluation process.
■ During the internship period, the supervisor and intern should meet
frequently to discuss progress and expectations as related to the job
description and learning objectives.
■ Mentors should complete the midway and final mentor evaluation surveys
(located in the CAHNRS CTLL Internship Handbook, see link above).
■ An exit interview should be conducted with the intern to review their
overall performance and accomplishments.
The CTLL is here to assist you with tools and support through every step of the process.
To create an internship or advertise your current internships with CAHNRS, contact the
CTLL at (509) 335-2243 or by email at ctll.leader@wsu.edu.
“
» Tom Jensen
Horticulture
Poulsbo, WA
Creating a Bridge from
College to Career
Internship

4. • Agricultural and Food Business
Economics
• Agricultural and Food Systems
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Agricultural Education
• Agricultural Technology and
Production Management
• Agriculture and Food Security
• Animal Sciences
• Apparel Merchandising, Design
and Textiles
• Economic Sciences
• Environmental Science
• Field Crop Management
• Food Science
• Fruit and Vegetable
Management
• Human Development
• Integrated Plant Sciences
• Interior Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Landscape Design and
Implementation
• Landscape, Nursery, and
Greenhouse Management
• Natural Resource Sciences
• Organic Agriculture Systems
• Turfgrass Management
• Viticulture and Enology
• Wildlife Ecology
L E A R N I N G I N T E R N S H I P L E A D E R S H I P C A R E E R N E T W O R K I N G
Support these CAHNRS
AREAS of EXCELLENCE
Contact us today to find out more.
509-335-2243 • http://ctll.cahnrs.wsu.edu