Photo: Bon's Eye Marketing, UNCW Intern Julian Morris
Cameron School of Business
Internship Guide
The Cameron School of Business encourages students to participate in internships. Internships focus on learning & provide students the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have acquired through their coursework, while gaining marketable skills through hands-on experience.
It is never too early to start thinking about internships! Students should begin planning their internship as soon as possible - typically about 4-6 months prior to the internship experience.
Assessing your goals and objectives, researching internship sites, contacting and interviewing with potential internship employers, developing your resume and interviewing skills, consulting with faculty & staff, and creating an internship contract takes time. Visit the CSB Guide to Career Success page for more information on these items. Click on the drop-down items below to learn more about the internship process here at UNCW.
- Types of Internships
There are 3 types of internships offered through the Cameron School of Business:
- For Academic Credit (View departmental internship requirements in next tab)
Internships for academic credit typically range from 10-14 weeks. For credit internships can be paid or unpaid. The number of credit hours and requirements for academic credit vary by major and are listed below. If receiving academic credit, the student must pay tuition to enroll in the internship course. To begin this process, the student must first identify a CSB faculty member to supervise the internship experience.- The student, faculty & internship provider are required to complete the Permission to Enroll in an Internship Form, which is initiated by the faculty supervisor.
- Certified Internship Program (CIP)
The Certified Internship Program (CIP) helps students get the most out of an internship by providing a framework to enhance knowledge gained through the experience. The CIP is not a for-credit experience, but does satisfy the Explorations Beyond the Classroom graduation requirement. Click Here for more information on the CIP. - Experiential (E-Internships)
The E-internship program is not for academic credit, and can be completed at any time. This experience based internship can help students develop career interest, develop professional network, and help build your experience and marketable skill set.
- For Academic Credit (View departmental internship requirements in next tab)
- Departmental Requirements
Departmental Internship Academic Credit Requirements
ACG 498 - Internship In Accountancy
Credits: 1- 6
Prerequisites:
- Admission to Cameron School of Business(Accountancy Option)
- Completion of ACG 301 and ACG 306
- Overall grade point average of 3.0 or greater
Involves the application of accounting knowledge in a "real world" setting. The participant receives hands-on experience under the guidance of a manager from a business, not-for-profit organization or CPA firm.
BAN 498 - Internship in Business Analytics
Credits: 1 - 6
Prerequisites:
- Consent of faculty supervisor
- Admission to Cameron School of Business
Involves the application of business analytics knowledge and skills in a company. The participant will receive practical training and experience under the guidance of the staff of a local business or government organization and a faculty supervisor.
BLA 498 - Internship in Business Law
Credits: 1 - 6
Prerequisites:
- Junior or Senior standing
- 3.00 overall grade point average
- Consent of the department chairperson
- Completion of BLA 361
The internship activity must involve an aspect of the legal system that is approved by the Department Chair.
ECN 498 - Internship in Economics
Credits: 1- 6
Prerequisites:
- Junior or Senior status
- Consent of department chairperson
- Admission to Cameron School of Business
The class involves the application of economics concepts in a "real world" setting. The participant receives hands-on experience under the joint guidance of a manager from a business or not-for-profit organization and a faculty supervisor.
EBD 498 - Internship in Entrepreneurship and Business Development
Credits: 1 - 6
Prerequisites:
- EBD 380
- Junior or Senior standing
- 3.00 GPA in the Cameron School of Business
- Admission to the Cameron School of Business.
Involves the application of entrepreneurship and business development knowledge in a real world setting.
FIN 498 - Internship in Finance
Credits: 1- 6
Prerequisites:
- Junior or Senior status
- Consent of department chairperson
- Admission to Cameron School of Business
The class involves the application of financial concepts in a "real world" setting. The participant receives hands-on experience under the joint guidance of a manager from a business or not-for-profit organization and a faculty supervisor.
BUS 498 - Internship in General Business (Can apply to any concentration)
Credits: 1 - 6
Prerequisites:
- Junior or senior standing
- Consent of department chairperson
- Admission to Cameron School of Business.
The chairperson may consider grade point average and individual course grades as they pertain to the internship being considered.
MIS 498 - Internship in Information Systems
Credits: 1 - 6
Prerequisites:
- Consent of faculty supervisor
- Admission to Cameron School of Business
The participant will receive practical training and experience under the guidance of the staff of a business or government organization and a faculty supervisor.
INB 498 - Internship in International Business
Credits: 1 - 6
Prerequisites:
- INB 300
- 3:00 GPA
- Admission to Cameron School of Business
- Consent of International Business Concentration director
Involves the application of international business education in organizations participating in some level of international business activity.
MGT 498 - Internship in Management
Credits: 1 - 6
Prerequisites:- MGT 350
- Junior or Senior standing
- 3.00 GPA in the Cameron School of Business
- Admission to the Cameron School of Business.
- For students seeking a HRM internship, MGT 356 must be completed
Involves the application of management in a real world setting.
MKT 498 - Internship in Marketing
Credits: 1 - 6
Prerequisites:
- MKT 340 plus 6 additional hours in marketing
- 3.00 overall GPA
- Senior standing
- Admission to Cameron School of Business.
SCM 498 - Internship in Operations/Supply Chain Management
Credits: 1 - 6
Prerequisites:
- Consent of faculty supervisor
- Admission to Cameron School of Business
Involves the application of quantitative and systems skills developed in the academic environment to problems in a real-world operating environment. The participant will receive practical training and experience under the guidance of the staff of a local business or government organization and a faculty supervisor. Available internships are filled on a competitive basis.
- International Internships
Determination, courage and tenacity are a few of the qualities needed to complete a successful international internship. However, the international internship may be the key to finding your dream job after graduation! Please visit CSB's Global Opportunities page to learn more about International Internships.
- Internship Resources
WayUp
Students sign up for WayUp (always free!) and fill out their virtual profile. Meanwhile, employers create a profile and post a job (it’s free to post). Employers can be as specific or vague as they want with targeting students, so that only qualified students can see the job listing. If the job is approved, qualified students will be notified, and the matching can begin. Students can apply to the job (often through just one click, like a Common App but for job applications), and businesses can also search through our student database and invite specific students to apply.It's a match made in heaven! (Well, actually, it's made on wayup.com...) Employers will get the applicant's full contact information, and can then contact the student directly to interview or hire.
Chegg
Chegg has recently partnered with the biggest internship provider to assemble one of the largest databases around. Students can access and match themselves to over 70k internships from some of the top companies in the world… and it's completely free!
Additional Resources
- Doctoral Programs for Women of Color
- Forbes-The Best Internships For 2014
- Vault-Internship Reviews & Rankings
- Vault-Find an Internship
- Glassdoor-Top 20 Highest Rated Companies Hiring Interns Right Now
- Business Insider-The 20 Best Internships In America
North Carolina Internship Resources
Chambers of commerce, industrial parks, and regional economic development websites are excellent resources to identify and research area businesses for potential internship or career opportunities. Below are just a few listings to get the point across!
- Charlotte, NC Chamber of Commerce-Largest Employers
- Raleigh, NC Chamber of Commerce-Member Directory
- Raleigh Chamber of Commerce-Internships
- Research Triangle Park-RTP Companies
- NC Southeastern Regional Economic Development
Government and Non-Profit Internship Resources
The following is a sample of internships for government and non-profits. Some require research and analytical skills, specifying economic majors.
North Carolina
- NC State Government Internship Program
- NC Department of Commerce (Resources)
- City of Wilmington, N.C., Internship Program
- New Hanover County, N.C. Internship Program
Throughout the U.S.
- US Chamber of Commerce
- Congressional Budget Office
- Federal Reserve Internship Program
- Federal Reserve Bank of NY
- Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
- US Public Interest Group
- Tax Foundation Internship Program
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Middle East Institute
- American Enterprise Summer Institute
- The New America Foundation Health Policy
- Koch Internship Program
- The White House Internships
- United Negro College Fund, Inc.
- FDIC
- US Dept. of Commerce-Bureau of Economic Analysis
- DC Internships in Public Policy and Economics
- The Economist Group Internship Program
- ICPSR Summer Undergraduate Internship Program
- U.S. Congressional Research Service Intern Program
- U.S. Census Bureau Internship Program
- U.S. Dept of Labor Internship Program
- U.S. Dept of Commerce Internship Program
- U.S. Department of Energy Internships
- U.S. Department of Justice Internships
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Internships
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Forms
Internships for Academic Credit
The student, faculty & internship provider are required to complete the Permission to Enroll in an Internship Form, which is initiated by the faculty supervisor.
- Internship FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about CSB Student Internships
1. Why should I do an internship?
An internship provides relevant, real world work experience in your career field of interest. Internships are a valuable way to learn about a career and determine if it is the right choice for your skills and interests. During your internship you learn things about an industry and job function that you could never learn without the actual experience of completing the work every day. You will also be able to network-meeting people who can help you connect to other organizations, or job functions that interest you.
Having an internship on your resume demonstrates that you have work-related knowledge and skills, actual experience that increases your marketability and, if you perform well in your internship, offers you the opportunity to land a full-time job at your internship site.
2. When should I do an internship?
It's never too early to do an internship! You can start as early as the summer after your first year of college, but it's crucial for you to have a solid, well-targeted internship the summer after your junior year. Internships take place in the academic year or the summer, and can be found at private corporations, government offices and nonprofit organizations.
You should aim to have at least two internships before you graduate.
A student is welcome to complete an internship at any time. In order to receive academic credit, the student must meet criteria set forth by the academic department offering the credit. For information about specific departmental requirements, please contact the Department Chair that oversees the student's concentration.
Please note, that whether the student receives credit or not, an internship is an important part of pre-professional preparation, and all students are encouraged to complete an internship!
3. What should I consider when looking for internships?
Bbefore you start your search, create a list of your most important criteria for an internship. Consider the following:
- Pay: Do you need to be paid for your internship or can you take an unpaid position?
- Location: Where do you want to work? Should you live with your family or friends in order to expand your options? Can you live in a different city if you find inexpensive housing?
- Career Industry or Function: What industry and/or job function do you want to target? Are you aware of all of the possible options?
- Timing/Deadlines: While it's never too early to start looking for an internship, there are a few important issues to be aware of. For some competitive fields like accounting, investment banking or consulting, you must plan ahead to get relevant summer internships. These programs are very competitive and look for higher than average GPAs.
- Government agencies like the CIA, NSA, and the State Department require background checks that can take months. As a result, the deadline for summer internships is in the fall of the year before the internship.
- Organization: What kind of culture are you looking for? Do you want to experience working with a small, medium or large company?
4. How can I stay organized while I search and apply for internships?
Eexpect that finding an internship will be labor-intensive. You will need to keep applying and interviewing until you land an offer, which can mean 20 applications or more. As you begin to fill out applications and submit resumes consider using a tracking system (such as Excel) to help you keep all of your opportunities and contacts in order.
5. How does a student sign up for an internship for academic credit?
1. The student will need to be offered an internship by an organization
2. The student will need to meet the departmental requirements. Please see the Departmental Requirements tab above for details.
3. The student needs to identify a faculty member to be their faculty supervisor in the department in which they wish to receive credit.
4. The student, faculty & internship provider will fill out the Permission to Enroll in an Internship Form. The form is initiated by the Faculty member supervising the internship course.
6. If a student is eligible to receive academic credit for an internship, do they have to pay for the credit hours?
Yes, internship credit is counted as course credits towards graduation. If the internship occurs during the academic year it may be a part of the credit hours allowed each semester as a full time student. Please note that if the student will be completing an internship in the summer for credit, then they will have to pay separate summer school tuition & fees.
7. Are there any other fees associated with internships for academic credit?
Yes, students are required to purchase internship liability coverage. This $19 charge is automatically added to their tuition bill when they register for the internship.
Contact a CSB Career Coach
910.962.3502
Cameron Hall 121
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