Internships & Experiential Learning
Students within the Reeves School of Business are required to successfully complete at least one internship at a participating worksite for graduation. The Internship and Experiential Learning Program seeks quality experiences for Reeve School of Business students that build upon coursework and enhance their career opportunities. While it is the responsibility of the student to secure an internship, the Director of Internships and Experiential Learning assists students in identifying appropriate internship opportunities and professional skill development.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Reeves School of Business Internship and Experiential Learning Program is to prepare students for success in business, by affording them the opportunity to implement classroom learning in a real-world environment, acquire knowledge from working professionals, and gain experience relevant to their chosen field of study.
Goals
- Understand and be able to implement activities related to the job search process, resume development, interviewing techniques and oral presentations.
- Develop a professional image and brand that can be translated to different workplace cultures and environments.
- Experiential learning acquired through placement with local organizations in either the private or public sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Internship and Experiential Learning Program is dedicated to supporting enrolled Reeves School of Business students through the internship process so that they can apply the skills they have developed in the classroom to the real-world environment. Students can access internship resources on Reeves School of Business tab by logging in to the myMU Portal.
- Ability to work on a team
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Project management
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Leadership potential
Per the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the following criteria must be met for an experience to be defined as an internship:
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
- There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
The Reeves School of Business offers an Internship Preparation Course where students will sharpen their written and oral communication skills in preparation for internship placement. Students will write resume and job-related letters, in addition to practicing networking and interviewing skills. Career prospecting skills covered include company research, portfolio building, job-related negotiations, social media and networking skills.
During their internships, students and their on-site supervisor(s) develop learning objectives which are approved through the Director of Internships and Experiential Learning. The student intern is evaluated on the personal qualities they bring to the internship in addition to their leadership, professional conduct and communication skills to include their synthesis of the internship experience and their academic experience(s). The intern can expect weekly class contact, journals, written reports and oral presentations. Reeves School of Business instruction continues to support the intern in developing their employment readiness skills.
Most employers begin recruiting interns eight months before their start date – so don’t wait until the last minute! Business deadlines for summer internships are often in the fall of the preceding year.
Each major or concentration may have different academic requirements. Internships may be conducted during the academic year and the summer months between the academic school years. Please see the appropriate academic catalogue for specific course requirements.
We always welcome the opportunity to work with local employers on behalf of our students and look forward to working with you! Please click the appropriate button to request an intern from the Reeves School of Business from the following areas of majors, minors and concentrations:
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial Economics
- Human Resource Management
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Resort, Club and Hospitality Management
- Sport Management
All internship sites are reviewed, approved, and coordinated through the Reeves School of Business Director of Internships and Experiential Learning.
As a Marketing and Social Media intern at both Bleecker Automotive Group and Elan Med Spa, I have benefited in various ways. These internship opportunities have helped prepare me for the next step in my career progression. I experienced how to manage the marketing, advertising and social media sections of both big and small companies. The RSB Internship program has positively prepared me for working in the ‘real-world’ through these internships and the experiences I have gained from them.
Brianna Franklin '17
Marketing with a minor in Business Administration
Working at the N.C. Department of Revenue was a fantastic experience. The work that I did with the Taxpayer’s Assistance Division (TPA) was fantastic, and I learned so much about the agency and what they strive for. Besides the internship work itself, one of the biggest takeaways would be building professional relationships and learning how to work in a professional environment. I would recommend for any business student, required or not, to participate in an internship program. It will teach you a lot about yourself and the expert work field!
Andrew Ruskey '17
Marketing with minors in Accounting and Economics
I have had multiple experiential learning opportunities throughout my time at MU, however my internship experience at PANDORA jewelry’s Americas Headquarters in Baltimore, Md., was by far the highlight of my collegiate career. I worked as a merchandise planning intern. By the end of my 12-week internship, I had worked hands-on with the product, participated in team meetings with the Chief Merchandising Officer, visited retail locations and updated planogram product displays, re-organized the product sample room, assisted with 2017 product grading and 2018 product development, improved my business acumen, and gained valuable knowledge on the ins-and-outs of merchandising within a corporate setting. I highly recommend the Reeves School of Business Internship and Experiential Learning Program.
Alyssa Like '17
Management with a concentration in Resort, Club and Hospitality Management