The College of Business Internship Program helps connect enrolled BU students with employers through internships.  The Program assists undergraduate and graduate students in finding and obtaining internships to gain a competitive advantage in the market place after graduation.

 Normally students who are full time undergraduates participate in internships during their senior year.  Sophomore or juniors are eligible, yet the benefits of an internship and the contributions made by an internal are usually more meaningful for seniors.

 Students can receive two to six academic credits by completing a business internship approved by their academic advisor, internship coordinator, and internship site supervisor.  Students can plan accordingly and work roughly 150 hours to earn three academic credits or 20 hours per week during the semester.  Students may also complete two different internships and earn as many as 12 hours of academic credit.  The same internship may not be completed twice. A maximum of six credits can be earned from one internship experience.   Internships help students build their credentials, grow as professionals, and have better insight for their future careers.

Major Internship Benefits

·         Valuable Work Experience

·         Competitive Advantage in the Job Market

·         A Potential and Smooth Transition into Employment

·         Career Path Exploration

·         Networking and professional connections

·         Ability to Apply Classroom Knowledge

·         Builds your Personal Brand

·         Gain Confidence

Why use the COB Internship Program?

The College of Business is a free service to all current undergraduate and graduate COB students in good academic standing. Services offered:

·         Weekly postings with relevant business internship opportunities.

·         Coaching and advising strategies, career resources, and other career advice

·         The Annual College of Business Spring Career Fair

·         College of Business Advisory Board Networking Events and University Career Development Resources

What is an Internship?

An internship is a work-related learning experience for individuals who wish to develop hands on practice in a certain occupational field. Most internships are temporary assignments that last approximately three months up to a year. Internships can be paid or unpaid; for academic credit or non-credit experience.

Benedictine offers academic credit for opportunities in business related fields under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, Rick Cali.

For Academic Credit

1.Each academic credit hour requires 50 hours of work experience to be completed. Students may enroll in anywhere from a minimum of two semester hours to a maximum of six semester hours at any internship during a semester or summer. BSCI 297 has a minimum requirement of one hour.

For example, a student must work 300 hours to earn six hours of credit. (Up to 12 semester hours may be earned at two different internship sites or different responsibilities at the same site, during two different semesters. Course evaluation requirements are provided in the course syllabus.

 Please complete the following steps:

1)       Fill Out aStudent Interest Form

2)       The Internship Search:

a.        Review the Internship Programs Weekly Postings (Located on the adjacent of Undergraduate Office in Scholl Hall.  It will also be located on D2Lin 2012).

b.        Review other resources such as ISCPA, the Virtual Career Center, internships.com, personal contacts, etc. (For links and additional websites, refer to the resources tab)

3)       Visit the Internship Website to be informed regarding:

a.        Programs and Events (Annual Career Fair, Networking Events, etc)

b.        Professional Tips, Trivia, Etc.

4)       Contact the following:

a.        Your Academic Advisor: If you like to receive academic credit and to see if an internship for academic credit is feasible with your academic plan.  Then upon approval, please contact the Internship Program for:

                                                               i.      More information regarding internships in the Weekly Postings

                                                              ii.       An individual meeting to discuss strategies about obtaining internships or getting an internship approved

Internship Approval – For Academic Credit

·         Internships are only available to enrolled Benedictine University students, who are in good academic standing.

·         Students must have the internship approved by the internship coordinator, Mr. Cali, their academic advisor, and the on-site business practitioner who will be overseeing the internship, prior to registering for an internship.  A job description from the intern site and a decision as to how many credit hours the student is requesting is required in order to begin the registration process.

·         A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is required in order to register one of the following courses: ACCT 297, FINA 297, MGT 297, MKTG 297, or BSCI 297.  The PIN can only be obtained from Mr. Cali after an internship is approved.

·         An initial meeting to discuss expectations is required within the first week of registering for the internship.

Requirements throughout the Internship Process

Prior

·         Exemplify the Benedictine University values of integrity, citizenship, excellence and continuous learning as interns are representative of all the students at the University. 

·         Manage the process of securing his/her internship from beginning to end and meet deadlines.

·         See Securing an Internship Tab for more details

During

·         Be open to learning and willing to take direction from your internship site supervisor.

·         Take initiative seeking out opportunities and additional responsibilities.  Be eager to impress.

·         Communicate openly with your internship site supervisor.  Occasionally, conflicts arise in the work place.  Begin by talking with your internship site supervisor.  In the event you cannot resolve the conflict please contact the internship coordinator.

·         Learn about the office culture and follow organizational policies such as requesting time off. Requesting time off should be done only in very special circumstances and with advance notice to the internship site supervisor.

·         Develop relationships with peers and professionals that you could draw upon when job searching in the future.

·         Fulfill your commitments.  Do what you say you will do including working the appropriate number of hours for the related number of credit hours. 

·         You’re responsible for the following included but not limited to:

o    Transportation to and from interviews and your work place.

o    Any required insurance, clothing, and additional materials needed for use during the internship.

o    Background checks and tests required to secure the internship.

·         Deliverables (Assignments) :

o    Evaluation of Internship by On-Site Business Supervisor, Mid-Way and Final

o    Bi-Monthly Journal

o    Time Log

o    One time Meeting

o    Reflection Paper

o    Questionnaire

After

·         Write a hand written letter to Internship Supervisor

·         Set-Up and complete an Exit Interview with Rick Cali

o    Two-Minute Elevator Speech

o    Internship Resume Content

o    Plus Other Requirements