Hire MCAD Talent When you work together with MCAD students, everyone benefits: you, the students, and our communities. Your special projects and internships provide valuable real-world experience that help prepare students for professional life. And your permanent positions give them the opportunity to launch their careers. MCAD’s Career Development Office is the place where your jobs and MCAD's students and graduates meet. Hire an Intern Hire an Artist or Designer Although MCAD students regularly work with outside organizations on real projects, MCAD is unable to take requests from organizations wishing to incorporate their art/design needs into our curriculum. Projects with outside organizations are initiated by faculty members only. Hire an Intern Internships are academic learning experiences where students work under the mentorship of an experienced professional. Working on site, students apply their skills to real-world projects while learning about your industry, enhancing their skills, networking, and building their portfolios. In turn, you get the benefit of the fresh perspective, energy, and creativity of an MCAD student. Internships are coordinated through MCAD Career Development. Contact us at 612.874.3796 or careers@mcad.edu. Internship Sites Qualifications In order for an internship to qualify for academic credit, your business or organization must: Be established as having a history of professional industry activities Provide the student with the space/equipment necessary for the work Have time available to coach the student Have projects appropriate to the student’s abilities Expectations of Hosts Internship site supervisors are expected to provide direction, supervision, and feedback on the student’s work and work habits. As a mentor, you should assist the student in learning professional and ethical industry practices. Location In most circumstances, it is necessary for you to provide students with a suitable working space and equipment. You cannot rely on MCAD facilities. Occasionally, when appropriate to industry standards and the individual’s professional goals, students may earn credit working in a freelance capacity. Such freelance internship projects are possible only when the client who hires the intern is an established professional in the field. Hours Internship schedules are flexible to meet the needs of the business and the student. Most students work eight to sixteen hours per week during the academic year and eight to forty hours per week during the summer. If the business agrees, students may continue working once the required hours have been completed. Students earn one credit for forty hours of work. Most internships are 120 hours, equaling 3 academic credits. Starting the Internship Promoting an Opportunity Professional opportunities for students are posted on the MCAD Career Development website. You can set up an account and post internships and jobs that students and alumni have access to. They also receive weekly emails listing new opportunities. If you have a one-time creative opportunity, email the position description to careers@mcad.edu. Opportunity Description Descriptions of internships should include enough information to help connect you with the most appropriate candidates. This usually includes: position description estimated start and end dates preferred number of hours per week equipment or software knowledge required whether or not it is a compensated position how to apply Additionally, most companies ask candidates to email a resume, cover letter, and either a work sample or a link to an online portfolio. What Students Are Looking For Opportunities to apply their creative skills to professional projects. Guidance, mentorship, and feedback from established professionals. Opportunities to get involved with the organization and industry (e.g. attending company meetings, industry events, general networking opportunities). Compensation Internships may be paid or unpaid, but, historically, most are paid. Pay usually ranges from $9 to $18 hourly. If a wage is not available, we ask that you cover transportation or other expenses incurred by the student. Paid internships usually receive more applicants than unpaid internships. Selecting an Intern Things to consider include: Does the student have the technical skills necessary? Is the student able to make a weekly commitment that does not interfere with classes or a job? Is the student excited about the work? Meeting with the student, reviewing their work, and discussing the project will allow you to get a feel for how the intern would be to work with. Hiring an Intern Once you and a student have decided to work together, they need to complete an online learning contract. This simple form details the student’s responsibilities, internship time frame, and committed hours. After completion of the form, you will receive an email requesting your approval and you will then be asked to sign an Agreement for Internship Experience, which outlines the site's responsibilities throughout the internship. You may request a copy for your records by contacting careers@mcad.edu. Legal Matters Current law states that businesses are not required to pay unemployment insurance or provide workers compensation insurance for interns, provided that specific terms are met: The internship is a learning or training experience of primary benefit to the student and for academic credit The student is not replacing a regular employee or guaranteed a job at the conclusion of the internship The student is not working in the usual course of the trade The position is meant to be one time or infrequent rather than permanent or regular Upon request, you can be provided with documentation stating that the internship is educationally relevant and for academic credit. Companies should consult with their own legal counsel for specific guidelines, and contact Career Development with any questions. During the Internship At the mid-point of the internship, you will receive an email with a link to an online mid-progress evaluation. Should you have any concerns about the intern, notify us immediately at 612.874.3796 or careers@mcad.edu. If there are any changes to the internship while it is in progress, such as a new work schedule or end date, please ensure the intern notifies us. It is expected that the intern will report to work as spelled out in the learning contract except in the case of an emergency. Any unusual or prolonged absences should be reported. Ending the Internship At the end of the internship, you will be sent an email with a link to a short final evaluation to fill out about the student's technical, creative, and professional skills. This usually takes about five minutes and is done entirely online. Hire an Artist or Designer Looking for an artist or designer? Reach a highly talented group of trained artists and designers from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Please contact Career Development at careers@mcad.edu in order to be directed to the best posting option for your opportunity. MCAD Career Development is also happy to arrange on-campus interviews and the opportunity to host a table on campus. Please contact us four to five weeks before you plan to visit at 612.874.3796 or careers@mcad.edu. Below are some companies and organizations that have recruited MCAD students and alumni via MCAD Career Development. We invite you to add your name to the list: American Greetings Best Buy Carmichael Lynch General Mills The Nerdery Nickelodeon Popular Front Target