Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Internship Sites
What are the advantages of hiring a Futures and Options intern? We have never hired high school students.
Futures and Options works with a dedicated and motivated group of students. Our program staff pre-screens and interviews all candidates, and takes great care to hand match students with business partners that best fit their interests and skills. During their internships, students receive ongoing work-readiness and career development training. Each business supervisor is matched with a Futures and Options site monitor, who supports both the student and the supervisor throughout the duration of the internship.
Business partners overwhelmingly choose Futures and Options because of the opportunity to have an impact on the interns' career and educational aspirations.
How has Futures and Options programming been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic?
Futures and Options is continuing to monitor the developments around COVID-19 and its impacts on our programming. Futures and Options has remained open since the pandemic began, but our staff is working remotely and has been delivering our programming remotely. The majority of our internships have been virtual, and going forward in-person internships will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
What is the process to hire an intern?
1. The simplest way to participate in the internship program is to fill out the business partner application here or email a member of our business engagement team.
2. Upon receiving either the application or an email, a Futures and Options staff member will respond to connect with you. If it is a remote internship, a member of our team will reach out to schedule an informational call with you. If the internship is in-person or a hybrid (in-person/virtual), a business engagement team member will visit your work site for an informational meeting.
3. You send us a job description—a brief summary of the role and responsibilities, and if there are any skills required for a successful internship. Should you need help in crafting a job description, the Futures and Options business engagement team can assist you.
4. Futures and Options will send you our "Employer Agreement," a non-legal document outlining the details of the program, dates, including the total number of hours the intern will be working.
5. Futures and Options hand matches prospective interns to internship opportunities, sends you candidate updates and resumes, and will help coordinate interviews and communicating the hiring update.
What does the typical work schedule look like and how long is the program?
The intern's work schedule is based on your needs and the intern's availability. Summer interns work 3 to 5 days for a total of 25 to 40 hours per week. After-school internship schedules vary depending upon office hours and need, but most interns work 3 to 5 days per week for a total of 8 to 15 hours each week.
Typically the internship program runs between 6-12 weeks, with students working 100-150 hours in total.
What kinds of tasks do interns handle?
Interns handle a variety of administrative tasks such as typing, mail delivery, filing, spreadsheet maintenance, online research, among others. In some cases, interns work on assigned projects. Futures and Options business engagement team is available to help our partners develop job descriptions and/or define projects benefitting both your business and your intern.
What does the typical work schedule look like?
The intern's work schedule is based on your needs and the intern's availability. After-school internship schedules vary depending upon office hours and need, but most interns work 3 to 5 days per week for a total of 10 to 15 hours each week. Summer interns work 3 to 5 days for a total of 25 to 40 hours per week.
What is the compensation for an intern, and who handles payroll processing?
Futures and Options requires that students receive $15/Hr, the NYS minimum hourly wage throughout their internship in accordance with New York law. You are welcome to bring your intern onto your internal payroll, or Futures and Options can handle the payroll processing. If we handle payroll, all interns are required to submit a timesheet signed by their supervisors. You will receive monthly invoices based on your intern's hours on the job, plus 12% to cover payroll taxes and processing.
Will I be able to interview and select an intern for my business?
Yes, your team will interview the candidates and make the final hiring decision. Futures and Options forwards selected student resumes and you choose the students you would like to interview in person. Our program staff coordinates interviews, which occur at your office or on video, and communicates your hiring decisions to the students.
As a supervisor, will I receive back-up support from Futures and Options staff?
Futures and Options program staff are available to offer advice and support throughout the internship. In addition to the initial meeting at your office, job description development and screening/hiring assistance, our program coordinators conduct site visits and check in with the supervisors via phone and email regularly. Each intern and supervisor are matched with a site monitor, who is available to address needs and answer questions. Link here to our Supervisor Handbook with more details.
What are some key factors that make the experience rewarding for the supervisor and intern?
Futures and Options' individualized, supportive approach is the heart of our Internship Program. Great care is taken at every step to ensure the best fit and highest potential for success for both supervisor and intern—90% of our internships are successful, meaning the intern completes the internship's designated hours, attends Futures and Options career development workshops, and receives a positive performance review from their supervisor. Interns gain a sense of accomplishment, enhanced workplace skills, and the beginnings of a professional network. Supervisors help develop the next generation of talent and make a memorable impact on a student's life.
What kind of tasks do interns handle?
Interns handle a variety of administrative tasks such as typing, mail delivery, filing, spreadsheet maintenance, online research, among others. In some cases, interns work on assigned projects. Futures and Options business engagement team is available to help our partners develop job descriptions and/or define projects benefitting both your business and your intern.
Click here to review our Sample Job Description Template and see examples of internship role details.
Am I guaranteed an intern(s) if I apply to participate? How many candidates are sent to me?
If you are an employer partner who is funding the intern's wages/fees, you are guaranteed an internship, and at least 5 candidate resumes per internship position.
If you are an employer partner who opts for a subsidized intern, in which Futures and Options pays the intern wages, you are not guaranteed an intern and it is a 1:1 match—you will receive one candidate resume per position, and should you choose not to proceed with hiring your intern, we cannot guarantee a rematch.
Are there any limitations to the work minors (under 18 years old) are allowed to do?
New York State labor laws require minors to present working papers proving eligibility to work and specify limitations on work hours during school months and over breaks. Futures and Options ensures that students have working papers and the necessary documentation to work in the United States.
Please see, linked here, the New York State Labor Department for information about permitted working hours for minors under the age of 18 and general child labor laws.
What is the travel policy for my intern?
- Interns are responsible for their travel to and from their place of employment.
- Interns are permitted to travel independently during scheduled working hours if the job description stipulates walking and travel by public transportation are required for the job. All required travel needs to be within the New York City Metropolitan area and paid for by the employer.
- Signed parent permission forms are required for any supervised travel within the New York City Metropolitan area for trips not previously described in the job description. Permission forms must include all details of travel and full itinerary of the planned trip, including date, time, place, mode of transportation, and purpose of trip.
- With prior approval from Futures and Options and a signed parent permission form, interns are permitted to:
-------Travel outside of the New York City Metropolitan area using the public transportation system (MTA, Path, LIRR, NJ Transit, MetroNorth, etc.), a private car, taxi, or car service*
-------Attend a work-related event outside of their scheduled working hours
-------Travel on an overnight trip
* If traveling in a private car is approved by Futures and Options, the driver(s) and accompanying adults need to provide their driver's license numbers and the license plate number of the car(s) that will be transporting the intern(s).
CONTACT US
If you have any further questions, please contact our Employer Partnerships Program Manager Jean Bucaria or call her at 212-601-0002.
