The PAVE Internship Program offers deserving students the opportunity to network and gain exposure to aspects of the retail industry they had never even considered or knew they existed. The program will help students build their resume and portfolio while gaining valuable industry experience. This industry-supported program will also give students the opportunity to apply classroom principles in a professional environment.
PAVE Internship Program Benefits
• Students will receive professional guidance and potential career opportunities.
• Students will receive hands-on professional work experience in their field of study.
• Industry organizations will have access to an up-and-coming talent pool in their geographic location.
• Companies can offer internships at any time during the year.
Company Participation
Many companies have expressed interest in offering internships through the PAVE Internship Program. To get started, please complete the Company registration form. This form allows companies to list the specific details of the internship available. After a registration form is completed, the internship position will be posted in the Available Student Internship Section. This section will be updated weekly. Applications from students applying for the internship will be forwarded to the company contact by PAVE.
Student internship listings are free, though PAVE does request a donation. The donation will be accepted at the end of the registration process.
Student Participation
If interested, please complete the student registration form and apply to the company offering the internship, providing all the requested application materials. Please note: you must include the name, email, and phone number of an educator who can provide a personal reference for you.
For students interested in participating in a retail environment internship, please click on the desired internship and complete the student registration form. Be sure to include all the information and collateral requested in the position description, which way vary from company to company.
Please note that, based on the HR policies of the company offering the internship, applicants may be required to take a physical and/or a drug test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Q. How do we post a position?
A. Posting a position is easy! Just complete the Company Registration Form. A donation to PAVE is suggested.
Q. We already have an internship program. Why should we go through PAVE?
A. An enhancement to any existing program, the PAVE program gives our industry partners access to an enormous range of available talent that they might not otherwise find.
Q. As an educator, how can I verify that an individual qualifies for an internship?
A. The student application form includes space for an educator reference. The educator will be contacted before PAVE forwards the student’s application to the company offering the internship.
Q. Will PAVE assist in developing job descriptions?
A. Yes, PAVE will provide samples of internship job descriptions that may be helpful to employers.
Q. When are positions posted and updated?
A. Positions are posted on the PAVE website weekly. Positions are removed after the application deadline has passed or when the position has been filled, based on the company’s preference.
Q. How does the application process work?
A. After a company completes a Company Registration form, PAVE will post the position on the PAVE website. The position will be promoted in an email to educators to share with their students, as well as on the PAVE Facebook page. Students apply for the position by completing a Student Registration form. PAVE will contact the educator reference for each student applicant before submitting the form to the employer. It is the employer’s responsibility to contact applicants for interviews.
Q. Will PAVE provide employee and salary guidelines?
A. PAVE will not address individual state or college requirements for paid or academic (non-paid) internships. Employers’ minimum and maximum intern hour guidelines and compensation must comply with all applicable labor laws.
Q. Are students evaluated about their internship experience?
A. Yes. PAVE will provide the student interns with an evaluation survey to complete about their experiences. Employers also will receive an evaluation survey.
Q. Will students receive school or course credit for successful internship results?
A. PAVE’s involvement is to serve as a clearinghouse to connect students to opportunities within our industry. Each school establishes its own criteria and learning objectives and determines academic benefit for a student’s internship position after review and approval of a student’s application.