College Intern: Ethics and the Internsihp

Reporting ethical dilemmas:

• First choice - your academic mentor/professor
  
• Second choice - your mentor at the internship
  
• Third choice - the HR Department at the internship
  

College interns rarely find a need to report an ethical dilemma. But if the need arises, the first contact should be with the academic mentor or professor, assuming your internship is part of your college career. In addition to helping you on a personal basis, your campus contact will be able to manage the internship from the institutional point of view.

If you do not have an academic mentor (because you are not in a credit course for the internship), take your concern to the internship coordinator or mentor at the site. If that person is not available, consult with the Human Resources (HR) Department at the internship. The HR Department is part of the organization or business and represents the organization's interests. But HR professionals are also versed in legal and ethical practices that protect employees (and interns).

The content on this blog is not offered as legal advice or guidance. Consult your college, advisor, or internship supervisor for help with issues surrounding internships. © 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Dr. Bold is a co-author of the book Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. More about Dr. Bold can be learned at www.marybold.com