Image Courtesy of Winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Earning A’s in your business courses, participating in business honor societies and attending office hours to chat with professors are great achievements as an intelligent business student; however, consider adding a little more experience and confidence to your collegiate career with an internship.
What company wouldn’t prefer to hire a well-rounded employee who has developed communication and management skills? When you intern with a company, you increase your chances of being the candidate employers are looking for. Luckily, various types of business majors create countless internship opportunities. Below are three of the many types of internships you can get in these fields:
- Accounting
Accounting internships are available at accounting firms, insurance companies, banks, and even hospitals. While these internships are plentiful, they’re also competitive. Try finding an internship by networking with your professors or other business professionals.
Katie Orth, a Junior Accounting and Information Systems Management double major at Duquesne University says, “Duquesne University offers an accounting mentorship program, which pairs students with practicing accountants. My mentor has provided me with the opportunity to practice mock interviews, review my resume, and meet others in the firm. At first, I had applied for several internships within my field, and I was mainly rejected because I did not have “office” skills. Employers are different in what they are looking for, but they usually want a well-rounded individual. During interviews, companies also want to know if you are planning on pursuing the CPA certification. This certification separates you from other accountants and makes you stand out. Currently, I am holding an accounting internship at a law firm. While it seems out of place for an accountant, every business needs accounting knowledge to operate. I use accounting principles in my daily job activities, such as working with clients receiving their settlements, entering check information into the purchasing system and implementing a new software system.”
Image Courtesy of Adamr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
- International Business
A popular program amongst current college students, International Business programs are growing in demand. Many universities provide students with organized internship opportunities, offered with class credit, study abroad, or connections with a global company.
Nate Pfeffer, a Junior International Relations and Supply Chain Management double major at Duquesne University says, “While I have not interned in an International Business position, I interned last summer with Cigna. With Cigna, I was a Life Insurance Intern. I completed various projects for the Life Insurance team, and I had daily tasks to complete, such as requesting information from our customers, loading new customer information into our computer system, mailing out letters, etc. I actually got this internship through Duquesne’s job and internship fair. I think events such as this help students to network with companies in Pittsburgh and develop professional skills, which are skills that cannot be acquired in a classroom. Based on my classes, when I intern in an International Relations position, I expect to be interacting with other members of the company in other countries, or even helping to negotiate with future customers.”
- Management and Administration
Business management and administration majors can find a wide array of internships, from office or HR management to financial administration. These internships are less competitive than accounting, as every company requires administration and management professionals.
Courtney Lamielle, a Freshman Business Administration major with a concentration in HR at Westminster College says, “While I’m still a Freshman, my plan is to get an internship at a firm, hospital, or small company, where I can directly work with an HR manager. I’m anticipating my involvement in the business environment. It’s a competitive place, and I need to establish skills in my major classes in order to be prepared for an internship opportunity. Once I establish enough business savvy, I will intern to gain an authentic business experience and further develop these skills.”
Image Courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Several other concentrations exist, such as Legal Studies, Economics, Finance and Marketing. For every Business major, CL offers two important pieces of internship advice:
- Network on campus. Your university provides numerous networking opportunities to students. Contact the head of your department, career services office or one of your professors to ask about internship possibilities. University faculty and services are your number one resource. Consider taking advantage of these opportunities. Most colleges or business schools also host a job and internship fair, as well.
- Build a resume. Market yourself through your resume, and perhaps even create business cards. Have your resume reviewed so it looks the best it can. Career Services can help you mold your cover letters and resumes for the internships you are after. Professors and professionals in the field are also valuable resources—ask them advice on how to highlight certain job skills on your resume.
Image Courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
~Lauren Z
~Briana S
ose good looks and charm make you question all that hype over Robert Pattinson? If any of these questions ignite a head tilt and an enthusiastic “YEAH!”, then keep on reading. As you may have heard from our executive director Shelly Marie, College Lifestyles is currently assisting Cosmopolitan Magazine with their search for the hottest bachelor of 2010!
We want to see your personality! While we may swoon over those modeling photos you had done, we would much prefer a snapshot of you smiling and have fun to show us that you’re a real guy that our readers would want to date. Cosmo readers are multifaceted, and they want more than just a hot body!
