Internships

"Completing an internship was absolutely the best decision I ever made in college."

Internships provide students with practical experience, industry exposure, and skill development. They apply their knowledge in a real-world work environment, gain insights into their chosen industry, and develop valuable skills that enhance their employability. Internships also offer networking opportunities and help students build their resumes. Businesses benefit from internships by gaining fresh perspectives, cost-effective talent acquisition, increased productivity, and knowledge transfer. Interns bring new ideas, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn, contributing to the overall growth and innovation of the company. Additionally, well-structured internship programs improve a company's reputation and serve as a pipeline for potential full-time employees. 

Internship/Co-op Program Overview

  • Hours.  Students work for a minimum of 130 contact hours (approximately 10 hours/week) for 3 hours of academic credit. Credit hours--and contact hours--may vary for students in engineering, engineering technology, surveying, digital media, interior architecture, and computing. Students may work more hours during internships or co-ops if negotiated with the employer. (International students have strict visa requirements governing how many hours per week they can work. Most cannot exceed 20 hours per week; all international students should seek guidance from the International Students Office on campus regarding co-op and internship work assignments.)
  • Pay. Rates of pay vary and are set by the employer, ranging from $10/hour up to $24/hour; hourly rates of pay should not fall below federal minimum wage.  Opportunities listed for not-for-profit entities may be unpaid; all other internship/co-op opportunities listed through the College should be paid.
  • Job Description. The employer appoints a "site supervisor" to create a position description, develop projects, and oversee the student's work while interning with the employer. Typically, students meet with site supervisors on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
  • Safety. The employer provides a safe work environment for student interns/co-ops.
  • Approval. The site supervisor and the intern complete the Experience Learning Application form on Handshake under “Experiences” tile on career center landing page. Completion of the Experience Learning Application with “approval” from the faculty supervisor and the intern site supervisor is required in order to register for a CBAT intern/co-op course.
  • Feedback.  The site supervisor is responsible for monitoring the student's progress on the job and providing regular feedback to the student.
  • Evaluation.  The site supervisor completes a Student Evaluation Form at the conclusion of the internship/co-op, evaluating the student's performance while working for the employer.

Internships for STUDENTS                                                          




 

Internship

Why Intern/Co-op?

  • Gain experience in the public and private sectors
  • Build credentials for your resume
  • Earn money while you learn on the job
  • Establish leads for permanent employment
  • Evaluate career options
  • Apply your classroom knowledge in the real world of work, earning up to 3 credit hours


Past Interns Speak

  • "Completing an internship was absolutely the best decision I ever made in college."
  • "I attended meetings with key players in the organization and got a great sense of the big picture."
  • "I gained a greater understanding of managing people."
  • "I learned how public and private stakeholders interact."
  • "I learned how to be a leader in a retail environment."
  • "I gained an understanding of sales strategies and techniques; I expanded my skills beyond previous sales jobs."


  • Qualify for Internships


    • For Undergraduate Students:  2.75 cumulative GPA with at least 3.0 GPA in major/subject area; completions of at least 2-3000 level or higher courses in your major (or designated departmental equivalent); current enrollment in a degree seeking program in the College; and, for business majors, being a declared major in business.


    • For Graduate Students:  3.3 cumulative GPA; completion of at least 3 graduate courses in your program of study; current enrollment in a degree seeking program in the College.

    NOTE:  It is the student's responsibility to discuss with the appropriate academic advisor how and when the co-op/internship will fit into the student's program of study.

  • Do the Paperwork
    1. Take your resume to the CBAT Communications Lab for an initial resume review.
    2. Schedule an appointment at the Career Services Office
      1. Undergraduate students:  use EAB navigate, then activate your account on Handshake
      2. Graduate students: schedule an appointment and activate your account using Handshake
        1. Handshake (login with ETSU credentials, click on Career Center in upper right, clock on Appointments tile, choose Schedule Appointment)
    3. Complete the Student Release Form.
    4. Meet with Business & Technology Career Services (Sam Wilson 307).
      1. Bring your resume
      2. Discuss career interests, companies of interest, and ways to search.
  • Apply for Internships
    • Search "Jobs" for internships. 
    • Follow application instructions on Handshake; Apply to company leads via email, or as outlined by the employer.
    • Apply to personal leads as well.
    • Use the sample email to guide you in writing your application email letter to employers.
    • Attend CBAT and university sponsored events promoting employer engagement.

    • Wait to hear the outcome of the application process; follow up with employers as necessary.
  • You've Got an Offer!

    Congrats!   Once you have accepted an internship/co-op, there are a few more steps:

    1. Contact Business & Technology Career Services and let us know. (Note: Never, under any circumstances, accept multiple offer at the same time!)
    2. Formally accept the offer, informing the supervisor and/or the human resources contact of your acceptance and that you plan to use ths experience as a co-op/interncourse in your school program of study.
  • You're Hired

    1. You and your supervisor complete the Experience document on Handshake outlining tasks, projects, and learning objectives for the semester.  (On your landing page, click on “Career Center” in the upper right, then the tile that reads “Experiences,” and then on “Request an Experience” to begin completing a new form.  Scroll the dropdown list and click on CBAT Internship-Co-op Learning Experience Application.)  In order to register for the Internship Course, this document must be reviewed and approved by your Department Chair or Faculty Supervisor and your site supervisor.

    2. Register on GoldLink; departmental permit required.  All deliverables/course requirements can be found on the D2L site for the course of registration.

    3. View "Beginning Your Internship/Co-op" seminar (10% of grade) which covers various topics addressing professionalism in the workplace on D2L site and take assessment.

    4. Review all materials and submit signed Materials Receipt/Information Acknowledgment form to drop box on course of registration.

    5. Complete Status/Progress Report form and submit to drop box on D2L course of registration. 

    At the end of the Internship/Co-op there are a few steps:

    1. Write a paper (5-7 pages for undergraduate students and 7-10 pages for graduate students--40% of grade) analyzing the internship/co-op experience: how he/she met internship/co-op objectives, how coursework impacted the student's experience, and how the internship/co-op has impacted career goals. Other options:  Video, web page, PowerPoint presentation, creatively covering the above topics.  SEEK PERMISSION FOR FILMING, USE OF COMPANY LOGOS, INFORMATION SHARING.  Project should be portfolio worthy; devote the same amount of time it would take to write a paper as outlined above.  Submit to drop box for D2L course of registration. 

    2. Submit completed Student Intern Exit Interview Form (5% of grade) to drop box on D2L course of registration BEFORE SCHEDULING exit interview with College Director of Career Services.  Attend “Exit Interview” (5% of grade) to discuss the entire internship/co-op experience.

    3. Share  Employer Evaluation of Student Intern Form (30% of grade) with your supervisor.  Have your supervisor save pdf of form and share with you for uploading to D2L drop box.

     

FAQ for Business Students
FAQ for DIGM Students
FAQ for Computing Students
 FAQ for ENG/ENTC/SURV/IARC Students

Internships for EMPLOYERS                                                         

Internship

Benefits for Employers

  • Manage seasonal labor demands and project- oriented work.
  • Examine and "test out" students for potential full- time hire upon graduation.
  • Connect employers to their communities and institutions of higher learning.

Past Employers Speak

"Through strong relationships with ETSU College of Business & Technology 's Career Services Office, General Shale has had an opportunity to recruit and hire outstanding interns.  Without exception, we have found these students to be well educated in their chosen fields and prepared for the challenges facing them in real world situations." Scott Ledford, Director of Human Resources, General Shale, Inc.

"DENSO has been excited to partner with ETSU's College of Business and Technology over the past few years.  ETSU co-ops have been competent and motivated individuals.  They have displayed adaptability, eagerness, and a desire to make an impact on our daily operations.  We have been able to recruit most of co-ops as full-time associates."  Brian Crawford, Staffing Advanced Specialist, DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee

"Eastman has partnered with ETSU for over 15 years to identify the most talented Accounting students for Eastman’s Accounting internship program. ETSU Accounting students display competence, confidence and initiative, allowing them to perform well in a very challenging corporate environment. Many ETSU Accounting interns have become full-time employees and are among our top-performing team members." Deanna Griffith, Senior Manager – Corporate Cost & Functional Accounting, Eastman Chemical Corporation

Getting Started


  1. Contact the Business & Technology Career Services Office at  CBATCareers@etsu.edu or 423-439-5656.

  2. If you have not already done so, complete Employer Account Activation on Handshake.  (You will create your account, complete the employer profile, request to connect with ETSU, and post your internship, co-op opening, or job. Once you are approved in the Handshake platform by University Career Services or Business & Technology Career Services, your position will be visible for approval as well.) 

Please note that we only list paid opportunities for our students, unless the employer is a not-for-profit entity. To review US Department of Labor "Fair Labor Standards Act Fact Sheet" regarding unpaid internships at for-profit entities, please click here.


  1. Await applications from prospective interns/co-ops via email.


  2. Interview candidates; select an intern/co-op, notifying the Business & Technology Career Services Office of your selection by emailing CBATCareers@etsu.edu


  3. Once a candidate is selected, you and the student intern/co-op will discuss the contents of the Experience Learning form which the students will submit for review and email approval by you and the faculty supervisor.


  4. Once the Experiential Learning Form has been approved, the student will be issued a permit to register for their credit hours.

East Tennessee State University desires to maintain an environment which is safe and supportive for our students and to reward performance solely on the basis of relevant criteria. ETSU expects our prospective employers to comply with all existing laws pertaining to equal employment opportunity and prevention of all forms of sexual harassment.

East Tennessee State University is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages our prospective employers to support applications from women, minorities, veterans, older workers, individuals with disabilities, and applicants from various national origins and ethnic backgrounds. The College of Business & Technology Internship/Co-op Program follows East Tennessee State University "Introduction and Statement of Policy (PPP-04)" regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Discrimination; please reference: PPO-04 LINK

Share