What to Expect from Your Internship
Work assignments will vary depending upon the needs of the employer. Often, students expect to be assigned high-level sophisticated duties, but in reality, most interns will be assigned basic tasks in their respective fields. Performing basic tasks eagerly and well will encourage your internship supervisor to assign you more important duties as the internship proceeds.
Remember that the goals of an internship are not limited to the performance of work tasks related to the intern’s major. Students will be learning and observing appropriate work behavior, including personal hygiene and dress, professionalism, attitude, punctuality, interpersonal relations, and business communications. Interns learn by observing and asking questions. Please remember you, as students, are representatives of the School of Business while at your internship and your behavior on the job reflects the University and the School of Business.
How to Find an Internship
Internships come in all shapes and sizes. Some are paid and some are unpaid. Some last for a summer while others continue through the school year. Internships may be local, regional or even abroad. Before starting your search, it is important to consider the following:
- What are your skills, interests and values?
- What kind of internship are you looking for?
- When do you want to have an internship (summer or during the school year)?
- Do you have a list of companies you want to target?
- Do your resume and LinkedIn profile highlight your skills related to career interests?
There are several ways to find internship opportunities, but the most successful searches include combining networking, online applications and developing internship opportunities.
You may find internship postings online through Cougar Jobline, LinkedIn or other online job boards. Any internship announcements from our campus partners are posted via Cougar Jobline, the School of Business Blackboard page, the School of Business LinkedIn page or direct email to your SIUE account. When using this method, don’t just click Apply and walk away. Follow up is VERY IMPORTANT for success using this method.
Connecting with employers through networking events is an excellent way to apply for internships as well as increase your professional connections. Networking can be formal or informal and can take place in a variety of settings. Ways to network include:
- Attending career fairs, employer information sessions and on-campus events
- Attending events hosted by professional organizations related to your career interests
- Attending student organization meetings with employer guest speakers
- Connecting with recruiters, faculty, staff and peers on LinkedIn
Some students are able to secure internships by developing opportunities with employers. This typically occurs with employers in which you have an existing relationship through either previous work experience or a friend/family member.
If you are interested in any internship, please contact the School of Business Internship Coordinator.
When to Start Your Internship Search
Depending on your career interests, you may need to start your internship search sooner than anticipated. Ideally, you should begin your search no later than the start of the semester before the term you want to intern. However, there are special recruitment cycles for the following:
- Accounting Firms: recruitment for spring and summer interns is typically August through September.
- Meet the Firms and Accounting Week are the best ways to secure these internships.
- Many firms offer Summer Leadership Programs; these are great for sophomore-level students.
- Corporate/Large Intern Programs: recruitment for summer internships is typically September through October.
- Connecting with campus recruiters is the best way to secure these opportunities.
- Small/Local Firms: recruitment is on an as-needed basis and can be posted at any time.
- Personal networks, peer/faculty referrals, Office of Internship Services and Cougar Jobline is where you will typically find these.
Academic Credit vs. Transcript Recognition
To determine if you can receive academic credit for an internship, students have guidelines on how many credit hours they must participate in the internship throughout the semester. Students must also be in good academic standing to obtain an internship and receive course credit. To see if you qualify, students must meet with the School of Business Internship Coordinator.
Rather than completing an internship for course credit, another option to document your internship is to get it recognized on your academic transcript. To do this, students must contact the Career Development Center.
For more details on academic credit, visit Academic Guidelines for Internship Courses.
For more details on transcript recognition, visit Career Development Center Co-ops/Internships.
Types of Internship Opportunities
Co-op
- Always paid
- Usually for two or more academic terms
- May be part time or full time
- May work full time every other term (or no more than two terms back-to-back), alternating between full-time work assignments and full-time enrollment in school. This is called an Alternating Co-op.
- May work part time, year-round while attending school full time or part time. This is called a Parallel Co-op.
- In-depth project opportunities, ongoing major-related experiences and significant exposure to field of interest
- Qualifies for "Curricular Practical Training" (CPT) for international students
Internship
- May be paid or unpaid
- Usually for one academic term (120+ hours)
- Usually part time
- Project opportunities, major-related experiences and exposure to field of interest
Micro-internship
- Usually paid
- Duration from a few days to a few weeks (40+ hours)
- Does not need to coincide with entire academic term dates
- Single project-based, major-related experience
Virtual/Online Internship
- May be paid or unpaid
- Usually for one academic term (120+ hours)
- Usually part time
- Remote experiences that do not require any in-person activities. Typically, project-based opportunities.
Online Internship Opportunities
Traditional international internships develop professional, personal and cultural skills through enriching work experiences.
Partnering with FIE, the SIUE School of Business study abroad partner in London and Dublin, students will gain an understanding of digital cultures and hone independent working and time management skills. The online internship consists of both the placement and the course around it–allowing you to contextualize the cultural aspect of your experience.
Through an FIE Online internship experience, you will build skills in digital technologies and essential skills areas, such as intercultural communication skills across digital distance, as well as experience with email and phone etiquette, personal time management, and internet literacy.
FIE's online internships are available in:
- Marketing, Advertising & Design
- Film & Video Editing
- Charity & Non-Profit
- Business Administration
- Communications & Journalism
(Accountancy and finance are NOT available online due to data protection limitations.)
You will be placed in a British or Irish company according to your own strengths and interests. If you are flexible and looking to gain transferable workplace skills, you are well suited to FIE's Online Internships.
More information is available on the FIE website and from the SIUE School of Business Internship Coordinator.
