As you get settled in to your internship or co-op this semester, you may have noticed some "rules of the road" which prevail at the organization in which you are working.  Depending on the company, some rules may be documented and posted for you to see, and others may be unspoken but important nonetheless. 

 

The principles outlined below are designed to serve as guidelines for professional conduct.  Following these principles will benefit all those involved in the experiential learning process, and will reduce the potential for problems. 

 

1) During the work period, you are subject to your employer‘s rules and regulations regarding work hours, holidays, dress code, email/internet policies, etc.  If you have any questions about these items, be sure to check with your supervisor.

 

2) Personal business conducted during work hours is strongly discouraged.  This includes doing homework, using your cell phone for personal calls, or surfing the web.  This also includes using employer resources such as photocopy machines, fax machines, telephones, and computers. 

 

3) The use of controlled substances (alcohol or drugs) prior to or during work is prohibited.  Some companies perform random and unannounced drug testing throughout the year, so using illicit drugs anytime you are employed anywhere is not only illegal, but it may result in termination. 

 

4) Strive to be fair, considerate, honest, trustworthy, and cooperative when dealing with others at work.

 

5) All tasks should be carried out in a reliable and efficient manner.

 

6) A professional work ethic should be adopted which is in line with your personal values and the basic tenets of the field in which you are working. 

 

7) Your effectiveness will be enhanced by your efforts to improve skills and acquire new knowledge.  Therefore, during down times, ask yourself: "what could I be learning or doing?"  "How can I contribute to the goals of my employer?"

 

8) If your supervisor approaches you with corrective feedback regarding your performance, realize this is a part of his or her job.  Suggestions should be met with acceptance, and attempts should be made to improve performance.

 

9) Should any problems arise on the job (communication with supervisors or co-workers, conflicts between school and work, etc), notify your Experiential Learning coordinator immediately to help solve the problem in a timely and professional manner.

 

10) If you anticipate a change in your employment status, notify your Experiential Learning coordinator immediately.