Internships are an important part of any student's career, including those majoring in business. Click here to learn more about internships.

Business internships provide students with mentoring and networking opportunities as well as the chance to obtain references. A business internship also provides students with on-the-job training in their chosen career field before completing school.

According to an article by Elites TV, internships also provide an inside glimpse into the business world, providing observation of the day-to-day operations of business. Internships are valued by employers because of the actual working experience gained through the internship. Many employers use internships as a means of evaluating potential full-time employees.

Business internships can be found at several different types of companies, including accounting firms, grocery chains, insurance firms, department stores chains, marketing firms, human resource management firms, state or federal government and financial services firms.

Typical responsibilities of business interns will include recording financial transactions, conducting front desk operations, providing customer service, entering data, shadowing on-site supervisors, making travel arrangements, promoting sales and any other duties requested by the business.

The amount of time you must intern usually depends on the requirements of your school. For instance, at The University of Maine, interns must spend a minimum of 140 hours at an internship. Students also must complete specific courses and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher before enrolling in an internship program. Business internships are typically graded pass or fail and can be paid or unpaid.

At Pennsylvania State University, business interns must make arrangements between the school and a business. These arrangements must include an on-site business supervisor, a university supervisor and a university internship coordinator. All three then review and agree to the student intern’s proposal for completing the business internship. The internship requires a minimum of 120 hours and a C or higher to pass.

At the University of Colorado, business interns can choose from three types of internships. The choices are academic credit without pay internship, academic credit with pay internship and paid internship with no academic credit. All require a university supervisor and on-site business supervisor. Academic credit business internships are graded, require a minimum of 150 hours and a cumulative 2.75 GPA.

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With the economy as is it, many recent graduates are having trouble to finding work. Fewer entry-level jobs are available, making it extremely important that jobseekers have the competitive edge. Individuals who have participated in internship programs have more experience and, are therefore, more likely to find a job than those who did not intern.

Individuals who will complete their education in the within the next few semesters should take this into consideration. The job market is not expected to fully recover for some time now, so it is important to have a strategy for finding employment before entering the workforce. This means that it is extremely important for those who have yet to participate in an internship program to squeeze one in now, if still possible.

Since fewer entry-level jobs are to be had, employers are looking to get the most out of the smaller number of workers they hirer. Hiring managers tend to see applicants that have been interns as more experienced and feel that these individuals require less training to be brought up to speed. Applicants with internships in their resumes are also more likely to know how to conduct themselves in a professional manner.

Another reason juniors and seniors should now take internships more seriously than before the economy took a nose dive, is the potential for networking. Many employers who have programs for students use them as a method to recruit new talent. Even if an intern is unable to secure a position at the company they worked at while in school, they may be able to get a letter of recommendation or contacts that will help to find work else where.

Internship programs with more prestigious companies have always been viewed more favorably by employers, but now they add an extra edge. Since money is tight, some companies are lowering the number of students they have work for them. Those that have managed to work for a highly publicized business will be seen as the best of the best, which can be difference of finding an entry level job right after graduation or moving back home with mom and dad.

Labels: Entry Level Jobs, Internships

With the Internet in almost every home in America, companies have found a new way to reach consumers. Developing a decent web presence can make or break a company. Because of this, a growing number of employers are placing a large focus on creating an online marketing strategy. The problem is that there are few colleges training students for this growing field.

Because of this, Dallas-based SEO 1 Services has created a Internet marketing internship program geared towards exposing students both the company and search engine marketing along with aiding them in gaining work experience. This program will be open to a variety of majors including journalism, web development, business management, graphic design and information technology.

The company realizes that since search engine marketing is drastically under represented in academia, few students have an accurate idea of their interest in the field. SEO 1 hopes that through offering this internship program they will be able to help individual who have an interest in learning more decide if this is the right career choice from them.

This Internet marketing internship program will focus on giving students hand on experience through a variety of different search engine optimization projects that relate to their chosen disciplines. A recent press release from SEO 1 said that it will also provide those picked to participate with “constant communication” with their mentor who will provide them with feedback, input and helpful advice. The interns will also have the chance to network with some of the best SEO professionals in the industry.

Unlike many internships, the program SEO 1 has in mind will be somewhat flexible. Internships may vary in length, depending on both the availability of the intern in question and the company, but could potentially last as long as 6 months. The company is also offering the possibility of telecommute internships for those not located in the area.

The company has stated that participating in the program may lead to an intern being offered an entry level SEO position, though this is not guaranteed. Letters of recommendation and/or certificates of completion will be given to those who complete their internships. Those interested should submit their resumes through the internship section of the corporations web site.

Labels: Internships

Law internships are a great way to gain real-life experience in a law firm that will position you well for future career success. Most internships require completion of the second year of law school and many of them are paid. Serving as an intern provides practical on-the-job experience which enables individuals to apply their education and knowledge of the law, while under the mentorship and direction of experienced legal staff.

Responsibilities for legal interns vary among law firms. Law firms specialize in a particular type of litigation or have multiple departments internally which segment their focus. Internships generally involve legal research and preparing court documents under the direction of an assigned attorney. Research can be based on legal research or policy research depending on the needs of the law firm.

An interesting aspect of law internships is related to responsibilities associated with currently incarcerated inmates. Many inmates seek assistance from lawyers to appeal their cases and interns research the case and prepare a summary document for review by attorneys. They may be required to summarize recent court opinions, news, or other current events that could affect existing cases.

Some of the more mundane tasks associated with law internships relates to the administrative side of the business. Office management, tracking news clippings, monitoring websites, reviewing newswire services, and filing documents may be part of the assigned responsibilities. Although these may appear to be unimportant, they are an effective way to learn more about the legal system and how attorneys operate on a day to day basis.

In addition, many law internships require the interns to research emerging issues, conduct needs assessments, participate in systems designs, and participate in dispute resolution activities. They can gain much experience and exposure by creating surveys, observing courtroom activities, and participating in interviews and attorney meetings.

Law students who participate in law internships are well-trained for a future career in the legal arena. The knowledge they gain and the benefits derived from their internship to the legal firm are extremely valuable.

Searching the Internet for a law internship that fits your education and personal passion is just a click away. Not only will you be enhancing your future career, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of others with your work.

Labels: Internships