Internships

It is strongly recommended that ALL students complete at least one internship prior to graduation (but not required). Students are eligible to do an internship for credit after completing at least 5 of their 6 core courses (TBUS 300, 301, 310, 320, 330, and 350), which usually means the end of junior year. Undergraduate credits earned for internships may be used to fulfill general university elective credits.

Internship Forms and Policies

Internship FAQ

• Why do an internship?
• What would I do during an internship?
• How do I find an internship?
• Internships for Academic Credit (TBUS 468)

Why do an internship?

• An internship is to full-time employment as dating is to marriage.
• An internship is an opportunity to work in a Tacoma area business (or farther afield), agency or organization before finishing college.
• It allows you to gain practical experience in what you hope to do after graduation.
• It also allows you to find out about a company's culture, to find out if your values are compatible. In other words, is this a company you would like to work for in the future?
• It allows you to meet the decision makers who may influence or assist your future career choices.

Here is what other students have said about their internships:

• "It allowed me to try out two different fields within Finance and see what I liked better. Without it I may have taken a job in the field I didn't like at all, simply because I didn't know."
• "I received a great job offer from my internship site, a position that was created just for me."
• "I was able to see my learning in action, and it helped me gain confidence before going into the job market."

What would I do during an internship?

Students work alongside professionals at the business and are mentored by supervisors. Often students are assigned to work on special projects that allow them to put into practice the concepts and theory learned in the classroom. The level of responsibility they enjoy as an intern surprises many students. This opportunity offers much more than a work-study position or part-time job. What is done during an internship will vary based on the amount of experience you bring to the internship and your willingness to take on added responsibilities. Though assignments vary from internship to internship, you are encouraged to take on more challenges and responsibilities with each new internship.

How do I find an internship?

Plan early and start early. Be sure that you have a resume, and are ready to apply as some internships are only open for a very short time. Internships with some of the larger employers are recruited for very early in the year, so investigate the hiring process of the companies where you are most interested in interning.

• Keep an eye on UWTBIZ - positions are posted through the Business school e-mail list as they arrive.
• To find out which companies advertise internships at the University of Washington Tacoma, use the Career Services Center internship listings, or Huskyjobs. Once you have found an internship that you are interested in, you will need to apply directly to the employer with either a resume or application form.
• Identify other employers where you would like to work. Contact the employer directly or through your personal contacts to inquire about potential internships. Many employers throughout the country list their internships on their web sites.

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Internships for Academic Credit (TBUS 468)

How do I earn credit for an internship?

To earn academic credit, you must register for the internship course, TBUS 468.

If you wish to do the internship for academic credit, please download the Internship Forms and Policies . You will reeive an add code to register once you have turned in the appropriate forms.

Keep in mind that you should make all arrangements to apply for the credits prior to the start of the quarter. It is against policy to grant academic credit for work already completed. Also, you cannot apply for internship credit for your current job.

What are the time commitments per credit?

You may take an internship for 3 - 5 credits and apply a maximum of 10 internship credits towards your degree. The time commitment to earn credits are:

• 3 credits = 90 hours of work during the quarter
• 4 credits = 120 hours of work during the quarter
• 5 credits = 150 hours of work during the quarter

Can I be paid?

Of course! For Accounting internships, it is even required. That does not mean unpaid internships have no value - they do. Non-profit internships often do not pay, yet they provide some extremely rewarding experiences.

What are the assignments for TBUS 468?

The assignments required in TBUS 468 are meant to help you analyse your experience and in turn explain what you have gained to a future employer. Daily journal entries allow you to reflect on the experience as it is happening and keep track of everything you are doing - it is hard to remember it all at the end! A mock interview allows you to articulate the knowledge and skills you have gained orally, excellent practice for starting a job search. The 5-10 page paper gives you the chance to explore in depth how your experience connected to the classroom and the competencies of the Business Administration degree.

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