Are You Interested in Getting an Internship?

Rise to the Top Experiment Education Session

Internships, here we come!  I am constantly blown away by the resources offered to the Villanova Business School students.  I attended the Rise to the Top Experiment Education Series: Basics Session led by Kaitlin Grady, Director of Experimental Education in the Profession Development Office.  There she discussed how externships, internships, and CoOps can fit into our time at Villanova University and how we would go about finding them.  The session was geared toward first-year and sophomore students so that they can begin to learn about the different opportunities available.

Externships and Leadership Programs

First, we discussed the benefits of completing an externship or leadership opportunity program in your first or sophomore year.  It is a 3-5 day on-site experience in which you are exposed to a professional work environment.  Employers are looking to target students early in their careers, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so.  Although it is non-credit barring it is a wonderful opportunity to learn professional skills, figure out what you want or don’t want to do, and increase the chance of getting an internship.

Internships

VSB encourages students to complete at least one internship during their time here.  They are available during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.  Internships are coveted because you learn professional skills, get hands-on experience working for a company, build your network, and open the door to full-time job opportunities.  Internships can sometimes provide competitive pay or academic credit.  Villanova also encourages students to take advance of the study abroad programs and complete an international internship if available.

CoOps

CoOps are a six-month, full-time immersion in a professional work environment.  It typically mirrors the work of an entry-level professional and takes place during your junior year.  It is a fantastic way to learn a company and oftentimes leads to a full-time job offer.  You receive six credits for completing the CoOp, which allows you to graduate on time, not to mention the competitive salary you will receive. 

Spring Accounting Internship Program

Villanova has established a Spring Accounting Program which allows students to have in-depth exposure to the accounting and business industry during its busy season.  Students must go through a rigorous application process, but the result is well worth it.  Accounting majors would work full time for a firm in the spring of their junior year and earn six free electives.  This enables students in the program to remain on track to graduate on time.  The major benefit if the SAI program is many students are offered full-time positions at big accounting firms.

As VSB students we are encouraged to take advantage of any opportunity that provides us with professional experience.  I encourage everyone to look at Handshake, LinkedIn, and the Villanova website for a listing of externships, internships, and CoOps.  They are one of the best ways to learn what it is you want to do and receive a full-time job opportunity in that field. 

Click the link to learn more information from the event! https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/business/undergraduate/careerdevelopmentresources/internships.html

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