The internship program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to relate current theory from the college classroom to practical experience under the direction of professionals in extended work assignments.

Although many students choose to perform internships during the summer months, you may intern any semester you choose. Those who plan to work at winter sports resorts during ski season usually intern in the spring semester. Those who desire employment in winter "sunbelt" areas intern in the fall or spring semester. You can also intern locally during any semester you are enrolled in classes.

Some students complete their final intern requirements after they have completed all course work. They find a permanent position with a firm that meets all program criteria. Following completion of the required employment hours and all reports, the intern coordinator and the employer jointly arrive at a grade, as in any internship. But instead of returning to campus, these students continue as permanent employees, and at the appropriate time will receive their diplomas.

The Students Obligation

To satisfy requirements in the MDM major, each student must secure employment from a tourism, meetings, or hospitality-related firm which has been approved by the intern coordinator. Each student is required to complete a resume, letter of application, and make appropriate personal, telephone, or mail contacts which lead to interviews an ultimately to employment. After completion of the internship period and submission of required reports, a pass or fail grade is awarded through the joint efforts of the internship coordinator and the employer.

An internship is meant to be more than a work experience. This is not "another Summer Job." By the end of the internship, you should be competent in all job tasks that have been assigned. But, in addition, you should have developed an understanding about your employer, your employer's place in the immediate market served, and how your employer is faring in the industry.

Review the assignments required for your internship before you sign your agreement. If there are any questions, resolve them before you leave campus. You are expected to adhere to the intern report schedule and failure to do so will have a negative effect on your final grade for the internship. Any variance in the prescribed outline must be in writing and signed by the intern coordinator. AS a student intern, you are a representative of Northeastern State University. Your conduct and behavior should be professional at all times to personify the appropriate student/University relationship. In the event you involve yourself in practices unsuitable for a NSU student, the university will take the necessary disciplinary action.

The Employer's Obligation

• (1) Meaningful professional experience is the primary goal of the internship program.
• (2) The internship must include a minimum of 100 paid working hours for each credit hour earned. Payment will be at least the current prevailing minimum wage in the geographic location in which the intern is working.
• (3) The student will be placed in an appropriate employment situation which provides an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired in collegiate training.
• (4) The employment arrangement should be mutually beneficial to both parties. It is expected that the intern will receive sufficient training in order to adjust rapidly and become a productive employee.
• (5) In order to provide a basis for grading each intern's performance at the end of the internship, contacts will be made by the internship coordinator. These may be by mail, telephone, or in person. The employer plays a key role in the evaluation which helps determine the final grade for the course.

GRADING

The grade assigned will be wither a pass or a fail. A pass grade will not have any effect upon your overall grade point average (GPA). A fail grade will impact your GPA in the same way as a F, and it cannot be removed by retaking the internship. Fail grades will be given for unsatisfactory performance including any of the following:

• 1. Reports not submitted on a timely basis.
• 2. Poor evaluations from employer supervisor.
• 3. Poor communication with your intern supervisor.

In the event it is impossible for you to complete your internship requirements during the academic semester, an incomplete grade will be given. The usual reason for an incomplete grade is the inability to work the required number of hours before the date for submission of semester grades. All interns are required to submit an incomplete grade from before they begin their internship. If all requirements are completed within the specified time period, the incomplete grade form will be destroyed.

Northeastern State University Internships
Meetings & Destinations Management

1. Course Identification
1. Course Number and Title: MDM 4431, MDM 4432, MDM 4433. Internship.  One to six hours credit.
2. On-the-job training at hospitality tourism industry sites with emphasis on management level assignments.
2. Policy Statement
1. To complete the internship program a student must work a total of 300 hours for approved hospitality or tourism industry firms. The internship experience earns one semester credit hour for each 100 working hours. Any deviation from this requirement must be approved by the MDM department chair.
2. The student is responsible for identifying a place of employment and securing the internship position. The Meetings and Destination Management Department will supply advice and guidance, but cannot be expected to act as an employment agency.
3. Before a student is allowed to enroll in the internship, all of the following requirements must be met.  He or she must have:

     (1) Completed at least 60 semester credit hours.
     (2) Completed at least six semester hours of courses with a Meetings and Destination Management (MDM) prefix.
     (3) A declared major in Meetings and Destination Management.
     (4) A grade point average of 2.25 or above.
     (5) A copy on file in the MDM office of your valid driver's license and (if you drive a personal vehicle) a current copy of your proof of Oklahoma liability insurance coverage.
     (6) The approval of the intern coordinator before any job commitment or course enrollment is allowed.
     (7) Completed and submitted the signed eligibility form for the semester in which you are interning.

4. A student must be enrolled in MDM 4431, MDM 4432, or MDM 4433, Internship before undertaking the work experience or have signed permission from the intern coordinator.
5. Students will pay the regular tuition fee for the internship course and will be responsible for room, board, and travel expenses.
6. The student shall be compensated by the cooperating firm at a rate no less than the currently prevailing minimum wage in that geographic location.  In the event that the employer offers services in lieu of part of the wages (i.e. room and board), exceptions may be made to this policy with the approval of the intern coordinator.
7. If a student is unable to complete the internship because of justifiable circumstances, the college rules concerning withdrawals will apply.
8. A student may not receive credit for more than three (3) semester hours of credit from a single employer unless there is written approval by the NSU internship coordinator.
9. The internship coordinator or a representative will personally visit or contact the student employee and/or the supervisor by telephone during the internship.
10. Grades will be determined by the intern coordinator and the student's immediate supervisor.  Grades awarded will be either pass or fail.  In the event a fail grade is given, the student must begin a new internship, including enrollment and payment for the appropriate number of credit hours.
11. The student will be expected to submit several written reports, a resume, cover letter, and time sheet to the intern coordinator at dates specified in the report schedule.  The reports will cover the following areas:

      (1)  An intern data sheet.
      (2)  A copy of the student's resume.
      (3)  A copy of the cover letter submitted with the resume.
      (4)  Personal objectives, job description, and an analysis of the firm's organizational structure.
      (5)  Reports describing on-the-job problems encountered and their resolutions.
      (6)  Situation analysis covering the student's place of employment during the internship.
      (7)  Intern time sheet signed by the supervisor.
      (8)  Photocopies of check stubs to verify working hours
      (9)  In certain instances, additional reports may be required or changes may be made in the requirements.  These agreements must be in writing between the student and the intern coordinator.

    
      Each of these reports must be mailed or delivered to the MDM office within three days after the completion of a predetermined number of working hours according to the report schedule.
          Late reports will be penalized.  If reports are repeatedly late, a fail grade will be awarded.  Postmark dates will be used to determine promptness.
          There are no exceptions to the deadline policy without prior approval of the intern coordinator.  If a circumstance arises which causes you to be late with a report (illness, emergencies, etc.), it is your responsibility to notify the department as soon as possible.

12. Interns are reminded that they are representatives of Northeastern State University, and it is imperative that good work habits, a cooperative attitude, and a good work record be maintained for good rapport between the intern, the university, and the employer.

    III.  PROCEDURE
     A. Obtain approval from the internship coordinator for enrollment in the course.  You must have an eligibility form signed by you before approval can be given.  A personally signed (not stamped) trial study will serve as written approval and will be placed in your file.
     B. Enroll in MDM 4431, MDM 4432, or MDM 4433, Internship.  If you are not sure which internship is appropriate, see Mr. Thompson for assistance.
     C. Make contacts with prospective employers.
     D. Secure approval of prospective employer from the intern coordinator.
     E. Complete employer agreement, obtain signature and submit to intern coordinator
     F. Submit all reports on a timely basis.
     G. Before leaving NSU for the internship, be sure you have:

      1. Paid all enrollment fees
      2. Signed and placed on file an eligibility form for the semester in which you are interning.
      3. Signed and placed on file an incomplete grade form for the semester in which you are interning.   4. Have a copy of your birth certificate or original social security card and a photo ID to complete the employer's I-9 form.