The School of Business Administration Internship program is a free program provided for the benefit of students and employers.
Requirements for Academic, For-Credit Internships
- Collaborative Partnership: A three-way agreement involving the employer, the university, and the student.
- Defined Work Hours: Students must work 60 hours for each credit earned (up to three credits).
- Organizational Supervision: The student must be supervised by a member of the organization.
- Clear Structure: The internship must have a well-defined framework.
- Established Learning Objectives: Specific learning goals must be set for the internship.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the Benefits of Internships for Employers?
- Talent Pipeline Development: Internships provide organizations with a valuable opportunity to identify and train motivated students, meeting immediate needs and establishing a pipeline of talent for future workforce demands.
- Seamless Transition to Full-Time Employment: Employers can easily convert student interns into full-time employees who are already familiar with the organization, reducing the cost-per-hire and enhancing productivity.
- Innovative Contributions: Interns bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, contributing to the organization's growth and development.
- Campus Presence: Interns act as ambassadors, promoting the organization on campus and enhancing its reputation among the student community.
- University Relations: Internship programs help strengthen the organization's relationship with the university community, fostering collaboration and mutual benefit.
What are the Benefits of an Internship for Students?
- Boost Confidence: Students gain confidence in their abilities through real-world experience while putting academic knowledge into practice in a professional setting.
- Career Exploration: Students often determine whether an industry or a job is a good fit for them by trying out different internships.
- Receive Academic Credit: Accounting and Business majors can receive academic credit and sometimes completion of the business major’s experiential requirement.
- Enhance Job Prospects: Interns increase both their business knowledge and their professional network.
What are the Employer Responsibilities?
- Educational Relevance: Ensure the internship utilizes and expands the student's educational background.
- Supervision: Provide regular supervision through scheduled meetings with an on-site supervisor.
- Point of Contact: Designate a person to address questions from the university or the student about the position.
- Support: Assign a supervisor to assist the student with questions and concerns.
- Inclusion: Include the student in meetings and activities required of employees in the same department.
- Evaluation: Regularly evaluate and provide feedback on the student's progress throughout and at the end of the internship.
- Communication: Notify the Gonzaga internship coordinator of any changes in employment, such as job description or time commitment.
What are the Attributes of a Quality Internship?
- Relevant Job Assignments: Ensure the job assignment reflects the student's field of interest and level of study.
- Challenge and Growth: Provide challenging tasks that allow the use of problem-solving, time management, and organizational skills.
- Increasing Responsibility: Offer a progressive increase in responsibility as the student demonstrates their ability.