The Business Internship Program provides degree-seeking students with the opportunity to apply classroom skills and competencies in a work-based setting. During the internship experience, students perform entry-level tasks that expose them to basic elements and the environment of their chosen career field.

The Internship Office was established in the Business and Public Services Division to serve Business students. We work with ongoing career-related jobs, as well as one quarter positions, depending on what an employer has to offer regardless of what the employer calls it. Positions can be paid or unpaid, as long as it is related to the student’s academic major.

The objective of the Business Internship Program is to provide students with real-world learning opportunities where they can apply academically developed skills in a workplace environment. Internship jobs are generally considered temporary employment, do not provide benefits such as health insurance, paid time off or tuition reimbursement, and are made available with no intention of a full-time, ‘permanent’ employment offer upon graduation. Even though a student does not receive a full-time job offer, employment opportunities are greatly broadened with other employers because of the work experience gained.

Job opportunities are part-time – 15-20 hours per week – and tend to be ongoing.  If the arrangement is satisfactory to both the student and employer after the first quarter, the student may continue to work on a quarter to quarter basis. However, continuation in a job is dependent upon the employer’s need and budget, as well as the student’s performance. Students may work more hours per week if the employer and the student agree; employers are generally flexible in scheduling work hours around class times.

One quarter unpaid internship sites are available for Business students who are required to complete an internship course (270 or *291-293 series) in order to graduate from their academic program, such as in BIS, *HMT,  and TNT. Students work approximately 15 hours per week for one entire academic quarter (10 weeks). Students must apply and interview for all positions; employers make the decision.

Internship opportunities are developed for each academic program, not specific students. Jobs involve entry-level tasks related to the base of skills and competencies that students have developed during the successful completion of their academic coursework. Assignments may not include specific tasks that align with a particular student’s specific or long-term career goals but will be in the career field. Students are given the opportunity to apply basic skills, gain work experience, and develop professional references that will enhance their transition to the workplace after graduation.  It is important that students remain flexible, open-minded, perform at their best, and use the work experience to begin developing a professional network, no matter how basic the job responsibilities. Employers view strong job performance with a positive attitude as one of the most important factors in hiring interns, as well as full-time employees. It is the key to new opportunities and long-term career success.

Students must register and pay for at least one 270 or  291-293 series internship course. Whether the student continues to register for internship credit depends upon the requirements for his or her specific major. All Business programs allow students to register for a 3-credit hour 270 or 291-293 series Internship course while working 15-20 hours/week.  Some programs allow students to register for 6-credit hours while working 30-40 hours per week.

Students may apply to use a current worksite for internship requirements, as long as the assignments will be in the career field. However, all internship credit must be based on new learning opportunities and is documented through a structured series of academic assignments, including a work/learning contract, a final report and project and evaluation by both the supervisor and faculty instructor assigned from the academic department. Academic credit is not earned purely for working. Job responsibilities act as the foundation from which learning objectives are developed and performance is evaluated. Students earn a letter grade (A-F) based upon completion of the all assignments, faculty assessment, and job performance.

The Internship Coordinator assists students in their search for an appropriate Internship site, however, the Coordinator does not place the student at a site. This is the responsibility of the student. Getting an internship is a competitive process. Employers want to review resumes, interview applicants and select the best candidate for the requirements of their job. As with all job searches, this takes time and depends on many factors including: current job market conditions, career field, number of candidates available and each student’s qualifications. Students are urged to use all resources available to them to locate possible intern assignments, as well as take advantage of those developed by the college.

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