Employer Academic Project Guide
This guide provides employers and stakeholders with a set of guidelines and expectations of the Computer Science (CS) Internship students and their contribution to the assigned project. It will help inform the workflow and set expectations between the employer and the student.
Projects
Projects can take on many different forms. This includes investigating new technologies, deploying new systems, maintaining or improving existing systems, prototyping new software, or designing new solutions.
Project development process
Students follow an Agile methodology, working in short cycles called sprints. Each sprint ends with a demo or prototype for stakeholder feedback. Stakeholder involvement is important, especially during requirements gathering and review sessions. Employers do not need prior Agile experience, as students will guide them through the process.
Success Criteria
Students will aim to complete the project to the best of their ability according to the employers’ requirements. However, students are not required to complete the project or deliver a functional product to successfully complete the internship.
Evaluation
The student’s supervisor will be asked to complete an evaluation form at the end of the internship. This evaluation focuses on the student’s behavior, professionalism, and ability to work with employers to achieve the project’s goals.
Computer Science Faculty Mentors
Each academic project will be assigned a CS faculty mentor. The mentor will assist in filtering student applications and conducting interviews. Students have access to a CS faculty member for the duration of their internship. The mentor will help guide students with issues related to their projects.
Working Hours
Students are expected to complete 225 hours of work during the 7-week internship period. Therefore, students are available for 32 hours of work per week.
Working Environment
Supervisors can determine the working environment, whether in person, remote or hybrid, provided that effective communication channels are established and maintained between the student and the project team. CS Faculty mentors must also be able to communicate with supervisors.
Hiring Process
Job Post
Employers will create job posting(s) that appear on a student job board. The posting should clearly describe the project, the team, and its objectives. Since it will be listed alongside other opportunities, it should be engaging and informative to elicit interest. Internship coordinators are available to help craft the posting.
Applications
Students will apply for the role through the job board. The computer science mentor associated with the project will filter CVs and select candidates for interviews.
Interviews
Interviews are conducted jointly by the project supervisor and the CS faculty mentor. This allows students to learn more about the project, gives supervisors a chance to assess the candidates, and enables the mentor to assist the supervisor in evaluating their technical skills. If you feel confident in assessing the technical skills of candidates independently, participation from the CS faculty mentor in the interview is optional.
Selection
The supervisor, with input from the faculty mentor, selects the student or students they wish to hire. There is no obligation to hire any applicant or to follow the mentor’s recommendations. The supervisor has complete discretion to make the selection.
Project Checklist
Ensure you have completed the following:
- Job description that explains the project, your team, and objectives.
- Identify a supervisor who interacts students and faculty.
- Define a communication method for students and faculty.
Additional Information
- Academic Internship Placement Information: /computer-science-technology/academic-internship-placement/
- Submit a job post: