Information
for Employers
Thank you for considering participation in the Applied Study Term Program at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Without you, there is no Applied Study Term.
Use this link to submit an internship or job description.
We are grateful for your help, most especially for the time and attention you give the student.
To learn more about how you can get involved in the AST experience, please consult the information below.
For further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact Jan Kirkham, 
Placement Development Coordinator, at 217-206-6645.
Three different ways you can provide an internship or applied study experience
Ways you can provide an
internship:
- Pay them directly yourself.
- Provide a volunteer placement.
What can the AST program do for you and your business?
- The opportunity to employ a qualified college student to assist with the daily operations, special projects or assignments.
- Gain someone who brings a fresh perspective to your organization, who is committed to success, and who can expand an organization’s capacity.
Interns are eager to help and they bring to the internship the academic preparation of an almost-completed degree. They also tend to be well-read in current theory and practice as a result of their coursework.
- Successful interns create a walking advertisement for your organization. They are natural advocates for your organization on campus. They will soon be members of the professional world within which your organization operates.
- You may find a well-qualified new employee. By definition, an internship does not provide a guarantee of future employment, but internships often serve as a cost-effective strategy for identifying and training potential new employees.
- You may help increase talent retention within the region, which strengthens the overall economy.
- You help the University of Illinois at Springfield produce better-prepared employees for the future.
- You may increase the diversity in your company’s workforce.
- Through your intern’s connections back to the university, you may also gain new access to informational and technical networks and resources, faculty expertise, and research facilities.
- The greatest benefit of hosting an intern is likely to be the educational benefit for both you and the intern.
As a full, active partner in setting learning goals and helping the intern achieve those goals, your organization becomes the kind of learning environment which will lead to future success in the global information economy.
Flexible Internship Scheduling
Fall or spring semesters:
20 hours per week for 16 weeks, or
10 hours per week for 16 weeks
Summer semester:
40 hours per week for 8 weeks, or
20 hours per week for 8 weeks
Keep in mind that students begin looking for a placement during the semester before they will enroll for Applied Study Term.
UIS Academic Schedule (approximate time periods)
Spring Semester:
mid-January to early May
Summer:
June to July (internships may begin in May and end in August)
Fall Semester:
mid-August to mid-December
Hosting an intern: a win/win situation
An intern can be a dynamic and profitable addition to company or organization of any size. Not only are most interns highly motivated and quick learners, but they can bring new life into a company in the form of fresh ideas and the latest trends in technology.
You won’t be disappointed, and you can be sure your interns will love the opportunity to be a part of your workplace.
We know that people who supervise internships are busy people. You want to help the intern succeed, but you have limited time and resources to support them. We would like to make this a practical, easy-to-do experience for you.
We have developed The AST Partners Handbook for your use. It contains answers to frequently asked questions, tips for setting goals and defining duties or projects, developing work activities and measurable goals, discusses legal issues, and contains thoughts from interns. Please download this PDf or caontact us and we will send you a hard copy.
