Students
Internship/Co-op Program Overview
Students majoring in business work for a minimum of 130 contact hours for 3 hours of academic credit. Credit hours (and contact hour requirements) may vary from 1-3 credits for students majoring in computer science, engineering technology, surveying, digital media, or interior architecture. Students may work more hours during paid internships/co-ops if negotiated with the employer.
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.
The employer provides a safe work environment for student interns/co-ops.
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.
The site supervisor is responsible for monitoring the student's progress on the job and providing regular feedback to the student.
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.
FAQ for ENG/ENTC/SURV/IARC Students
Sample Projects
- Coordinate event management for not-for-profit fund-raiser
- Update employee handbook, creating policies and procedures manual
- Prepare individual tax returns
- Perform internal and external audits utilizing SAP software
- Prepare template methodology for socially responsible investment research
- Create metrics for cashiers and put into data sets for analysis
- Conduct boundary and construction surveying using robotic total station and GPS system
- Create manual for electrical engineering training process
- Manage design project including super conducting RF Module layout
- Assist IT audit department with audit planning, fieldwork, documentation, and reporting
Getting Started
1. Undergraduate Students: Schedule an appointment with Melinda LaPrade on EAB Navigate and activate your account on Handshake (directions below).
Graduate Students: Schedule an appointment and activate your account using Handshake
(directions below). 
-Login in with ETSU email address and password
-Click on Career Center—upper right on screen
-Click on Appointments tile.
-Choose “Schedule Appointment”
2. Complete Student release form before meeting with Melinda. https://form.jotformpro.com/form/51104368319957
3. Be sure to complete your profile on Handshake landing page and upload your resume once reviewed and approved! Make an appointment to visit the CBAT Communications Lab at 133 Sam Wilson Hall for an initial resume review. Bring your resume to the appointment with you for additional fine-tuning. Your resume does not need to be complete for your initial appointment with Melinda.
Communications Lab Schedule:
Spring 2023
- Monday: 9:30am-4:00pm
- Tuesday: CLOSED
- Wednesday: 9:30am-6:30pm
- Thursday: CLOSED
- Friday: 9:30am-2:00pm
NOTE: You will be in pending status on the new system until your resume is reviewed and until you meet the benchmarks for program participation outlined below.
4. Benchmarks for approval status include:
For Undergraduate Students: 2.75 cum 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 cum GPA; completion of at least 3 graduate courses in your program of study; current enrollment in a degree seeking program in the College.
5. Melinda will review your resume in an appointment setting after the initial review by Communications Lab staff.
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.
6. During the appointment, you will discuss your career interests, companies of interest,
and ways to search for an internship.
7. Follow application instructions; apply to company leads via email or as outlined
by the employer. Use the SAMPLE Intern Application Letter via Email to guide you in writing your application email letter to employers.
8. Apply to personal leads as well.
9. Wait to hear the outcome of the application process; follow up with employers as
necessary.
10. Upon hire, the intern/co-op MUST CONTACT Melinda LaPrade to inform her of the offer. NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ACCEPT MULTIPLE OFFERS AT THE SAME TIME!!!
You're Hired!
-
Once you have accepted an internship/co-op, complete Experiences Learning form on Handshake. On your landing page, click on “Career Center” in the upper right of the page and then on the tile that reads “Experiences” and then click on “Request an Experience” to begin completing a new form. (Scroll down the dropdown list and click on CBAT Internship-Co-op Learning Experience Application.) In order to register, this document must be reviewed and approved by your Department Chair or Faculty Supervisor and your site supervisor.
-
Register on GoldLink; departmental permit required. All deliverables/course requirements can be found on the D2L site for the course of registration.
-
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.
-
Review all materials and submit signed Materials Receipt/Information Acknowledgment form to drop box on course of registration.
-
Complete Status/Progress Report form and submit to drop box on D2L course of registration.
-
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.
-
Attend the "Exit Interview" (10% of grade) to discuss the entire internship/co-op experience with CBAT Career Services staff. Submit completed Exit Interview form to drop box on D2L course of registration BEFORE SCHEDULING exit interview with College Director of Career Services.
-
Submit Student Evaluation form (30% of grade).
The CBAT 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
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/Co-ops say:
| "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 felt empowered to manage my time and to accomplish goals." |
| "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." |
Interns and Co-ops at work:
Denso, Eastman Chemical Company, JTEKT, North Carolina DOT
