What is an Internship?

The internship program within the College of Business and Economics (CBE) is an excellent example of a working partnership between employers and an institution of higher education.  The integration of practical experience and academics creates a win-win situation for the employer, student and university.  CBE has long recognized the value of experiential learning to strengthen its academic programs.  Internships are strongly encouraged.

Internship periods are usually one 15-week semester or summer in length.  Ideally, positions are established on an annual basis and filled by alternating students.

An internship is a carefully monitored work experience in which a student has intentional learning goals that enable him or her to apply classroom knowledge to the workplace.

• Interns receive compensation for their contributions to the organization.
  
  
• Internships are part of CBE’s educational program and are carefully monitored and evaluated by faculty for academic credit.    
  
  
• CBE faculty has established learning goals for internships.  These are important aspects of an internship that distinguishes it from a short-term job.  A high-quality internship experience should  include analysis and decision-making, and at least one of the following:
  

1. Job rotation
   
   
2. Responsibility for special projects
   
   
3. Assisting a manager in his or her duties
   
   
4. Anything else that constitutes a significant learning experience

Benefits

Responsibilities

Guidelines for Establishing an Internship

Position Description Guidelines

Employer's Internship Position Description Form

Employer's Intern Evaluation Form