a. Obtain practical experience directly relating to their academic major.
b. Help reduce the reality shock commonly associated with the college to career transition.
2. Provide area business with an opportunity to:
a. Utilize a qualified college student to assist with daily operations and/or project oriented assignments.
b. Assist the University in producing better prepared employees of the future.
HOW IT WORKS
Companies and/or their individual departments:
1. Develop an internship experience that lasts a minimum of 150 hours. Normal weekly commitment is 10-20 hours but can be longer in the summer. Internships can begin at any time, but normally coincide with the beginning of a semester (i.e. end of August, January, or May).
2. Provide the School of Business Internship Coordinator with a position description (See “Intern Position Guidelines”) and list of required student qualifications.
3. Interview prospective interns and make the final selection.
4. Monitor the student during the experience and provide an evaluation upon completion.
Students:
1. Must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average, be at least of junior standing, obtain a faculty reference, and prepare a resume.
2. Discuss internship opportunities with the Coordinator before receiving company contact information.
3. Contact appropriate individual for an interview or fax a resume with cover letter.
4. If selected, students establish learning objectives, keep a journal of learning experience, and write a final report evaluating the internship. Three units of credit awarded upon successful completion.
The Craig School of Business Internship Office:
1. Qualifies internships for academic credit utilizing faculty in the appropriate discipline.
2. Qualifies students according to program requirements.
3. Posts available internships and provides qualified students with appropriate contact information.
4. Provides students who are selected with all appropriate paperwork, including evaluation forms.
5. Monitors the internship experience via e-mail and direct contact.
We Strive To:
1. Match student qualifications with the company needs. However, the interview should be used to determine if the student qualifies. Students should also be very clear as to nature of the assignment.
2. Provide as many students as possible to interview. However, supply of, and demand for, specific majors varies from semester to semester and we cannot guarantee that a specific number of students will apply. You may have very few or no applicants for positions. Clear and specific descriptions and rate of pay are the two primary factors affecting the number of applicants.
3. Assure positive experience for both intern and work station. Any concerns, problems, or conflicts should be reported to the Coordinator as soon as possible so that they can be addressed in a timely manner.
OTHER FACTORS LEADING TO A GOOD INTERNSHIP
EXPERIENCE
Specific internship objectives. Interns are required
to establish learning objectives for themselves at the beginning of
the internship. These objectives should be developed with the help
of the supervisor so that both parties are clear as to what the
purpose of the internship is.
Predetermined outputs that the intern can show to
future employers as evidence of their work and accomplishments. This
may not always be possible, but if it is, should be part of the
initial plan for the intern.
An opportunity to be involved in training and learning
experiences. Interns should be encouraged to attend training
courses and professional meeting, be allowed to sit in on management
or staff meetings, and encouraged to read professional and company
publications. Knowing how professionals learn, helps develop the
intern.
An initial orientation to the company and introduction
to all personnel the intern may come in contact with. This makes the
interns feel more at home and people are not asking “who are
you?”
A workspace to call their own. It doesn’t have to be
much, but it is better than shuffling between desks that belong to
someone else.
Internship position guidelines
The following information is needed in order to qualify internships for academic credit:
1. Name of company and internship contact person’s name, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address if applicable. If the person who will be supervising or mentoring the intern is different, please also include their name and telephone number.
2. Preferred academic major of student. Major include Accounting, Legal Environment, Marketing, Finance, Information Systems, Real Estate, Management, Human Resources, and International Business, or a position could be open to multiple major or any business major.
3. Required skills and other qualifications. Examples include computer skills, language skills, communication and writing skills, year in school, grade point average, or course work completed.
4. Work schedule. Approximate number of hours per week. If work times are fixed, please specify, otherwise it is assumed that work hours can be arranged around the student’s school schedule. Most full time students plan on 10-15 hours per week for an internship.
5. Pay status. Indicate if paid or unpaid. If paid, state rate of pay (e.g. hourly, salary, stipend, performance bonus, etc.). Include any other benefits (e.g. employee discounts, event tickets, etc).
Note: For paid internships, the University provides no worker’s compensation or personal liability coverage for the student. This is the responsibility of the company. For unpaid internships, the University provides worker’s compensation coverage for students who are part of the Craig School of Business internship program but no personal liability coverage is provided.
6. Method of Application. Alternatives include: (a) Calling company contact person to arrange an interview; (b) Faxing a resume with a cover letter; (c) Applying in person; (d) Completing and submitting a formal company application. The first two options are the most common.
7. Description of internship activities. Include a description of duties, responsibilities, and specific project assignments, if applicable. In order to qualify for academic credit, the internship must provide for:
(a) A progressive learning experience: Intern assignments should provide for progressive and/or multiple learning experiences rather than repetitive activity. While all internships require some degree of clerical or repetitive work,
no more than 15-20% of the internship time may be spent on these types of duties such as filing, answering phones, telemarketing, solicitation, or data entry.
(b) Opportunities to enhance existing skills and develop practical knowledge. Internship activities can involve: (1) learning about and assisting with day to day operations and/or (2) one or more projects which allows students to apply classroom knowledge and enhance both technical and behavioral skills.
(c) Supervision and mentoring. Internships should provide for a periodic review of performance and opportunities to obtain feedback, information, and assistance from a mentor.
Craig
Internships CSU,Fresno 5245 N.
Backer AvenueFresno,CA
93740
(559)278-4985
