Frequently Asked Questions from Employers on School of Business and Economics Internships
SBE Internship Director
715-346-2736
The
School of Business and Economics (SBE) at the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point has majors in accounting, business administration, data analytics, finance, economics, management and marketing. While each student takes electives suited to
their area of interest, all SBE students meet and maintain above average
grade point averages. SBE majors complete core courses in economics,
accounting, marketing, production and management information systems.
They are eager to get “real world” experience and apply their coursework
to a business setting.
See examples of our students in the Insights of Interns feature!
I do not have a formal internship program, what do I need to do to create an internship?
If you have work that needs
to be done an intern can help! Our students are good at administrative
tasks, data analysis and problem-solving. Many are able to provide ideas
on how to use social media strategies. Students also have skills using
Excel and other software tools. You simply need a job description; you
can then post your position on
Handshake. We use target
messaging to reach selected groups of our majors. Contact Sue Kissinger in the Academic and Career Advising Center at
skissing@uwsp.edu or 715-346-4557.
Why should I hire an SBE intern?
Our
upper-level students are well-prepared and hard-working. You can “test
out” an intern’s ability and work ethic before making a formal offer.
Your organization will also get increased visibility by partnering with
SBE.
When is the best time to hire an intern?
Students usually
sign up for internship credits over the summer. Having a position
posted by early March allows for you to recruit and interview potential
students. However, some students prefer a part-time option during the
school year. Bottom line: you can hire an intern to match your business
needs.
What if I want an intern to work full-time?
Many
students are available full-time in the summer. However, if the student
is willing to work full-time during the school year, he or she can
enroll in the equivalent of 12 credits to maintain full-time student
status. We can work this through internship credits and independent
study credits. For part-time positions students will often need to work
around their classes but often are available for 15-20 hours per week.
What work is there on my part as the employer?
Aside
from normal training for a new employee, all the student intern needs
is a simple performance evaluation at the end of the internship. Most
employers use their standard performance form.
What about college credits and internships?
SBE
majors can complete a three-credit elective while working in an
internship. The student does the paperwork for this course and you do
not have any additional work. Most students find that working in an
internship while earning credits increases the value of the work
experience and helps them connect their courses to the workplace.
Do I have to pay an intern?
Most
for-profit businesses are required by law to provide some form of
compensation. Your business may qualify for reimbursement of internship wages paid to students who qualify for UWSP’s
Pointers Connect Internship Program.
What about non-profits and volunteer interns?
We
have had great success with our students in volunteer settings. These
positions need to allow the students to apply his or her course of study
to the workplace. Your non-profit organization may qualify for reimbursement of internship wages paid to students who qualify for our
Pointers Connect Internship Program. The
Anderson Classroom to Career Center also provides a limited number of scholarships to students who complete internships at non-profit organizations. Contact our Internship Director, Prof. Ricardo Boeing at
rboeing@uwsp.edu for more info.
Can the SBE select an intern for me?
While we can get the word out about your opportunity to our students, we do not match students to employers.
How do I hire an intentional student as an intern?
The employer doesn't need to do anything differently. The international student would need to apply for a CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT(Optional Practical Training) through the university to work as an intern. There is no employer cost associated with hiring an international student as an intern, other than compensation.
When could I hire an intentional student?
International students could take internships with CPT starting from their second academic year until before graduation. Or international students could take internships with OPT within 12 months (36 months for Science, Technology, Math and Engineering students) from their graduation.
How can I get more information?