In this episode of The Adjunct Files, hosts John Roth and Maggie Hohne are joined by Ashleigh Droz, Director of Internships and Cooperative Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University, interim leader in Career Development Services, and fellow adjunct faculty member.

Ashleigh pulls back the curtain on why internships are one of the university’s most powerful high‑impact practices—and why adjunct faculty are uniquely positioned to lead them. Drawing on her experience working with employers, students, and faculty across disciplines, she makes the case that adjuncts aren’t just instructors—they are co‑educators who already live at the intersection of theory and practice.

The conversation explores:

Why adjunct faculty make exceptional internship supervisors
How internships differ from service learning—and when one should become the other
The importance of clear expectations, meaningful work, and experienced supervision
Why internships function as a “long interview” and a talent pipeline for employers
How internships help students test, refine, or even rethink their career paths before graduation

Ashleigh also shares practical advice for adjunct faculty interested in hosting or mentoring interns, including how much lead time to plan, what students actually need to learn beyond technical skills, and how internship design mirrors good course design—with learning outcomes, feedback, and reflection at its core.

This episode is a must‑listen for adjunct faculty who want to deepen their impact, strengthen connections between campus and community, and play a direct role in preparing students for life after graduation.

https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/internships/employer-resources

Wings up—and stay connected.

Theme music composed, performed and produced by James Husni.

Adjunct Nation is a collaborative podcast under the auspices of The Lucas Center for Faculty Development at FGCU. You can learn more by clicking on this link:

https://www.fgcu.edu/lucascenter/