SBA's summer internship program offers experience, pay

Gaining real experience is a critical component to a business student's education. And despite current economic challenges, the School of Business Administration is successfully connecting students to paying internships. Thanks to the SBA’s Center for Integrated Business Research and Education (CIBRE) 2009 Summer Internship Program, securing a summer internship just got a little easier.

CIBRE established this summer program as part of its commitment to provide students with important experiential skill-building opportunities while completing career-track project work.

“Relevant work experience is an important element of any graduate’s resume,” said Donna Kellstrom, director, corporate relations for the SBA. “Internships are an important way students can differentiate themselves in the job market.”

The CIBRE Summer Internship Program is similar to other internship programs in that it provides students with concrete work experience through company projects. However it differs in approach by placing students into teams of two to three to work on assigned projects based on skill-level and areas of interest. Interns will be paid out of an SBA CIBRE fund based on total hours worked by each student.

“The goal is to extend learning beyond the classroom with experience related to their career interest and passion, while also providing some financial compensation,” says Kellstrom.

The program begins May 15 and runs 10 weeks. Applications to participate are due no later than Friday, April 24, with an orientation tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 8. Students will be assigned to teams and projects by Thursday, April 30. SBA students interested in participating must be willing to commit to the full program and be willing to dedicate a minimum of 20 hours per week to the assignment.

For more information or to apply, visit www.sba.oakland.edu/internship_opportunities/.

Businesses interested in sponsoring a project are encouraged to visit the Web site or contact Assistant Dean Donna Kellstrom at kellstro@oakland.edu or by calling (248) 370-3160.