Management 4891 Internship Program

::: Capture Leadership Skills

Ambitious and self-directed internship candidates who are able to “see the big picture” and make strategic contributions under minimal supervision are accepted into the internship program. Interns most successful in the internships demonstrate high aptitude, diversity of experience, motivation for learning, ability to make informed and sound decisions, communication skills, and technical competence.

::: Make a Contribution

Past projects include conducting research and competitive analysis, assisting in strategy development, evaluating policies, improving operational efficiency, implementing metrics to increase productivity, assisting human resources, and more.

::: Demonstrate Responsibility

Interns work under the supervision of top management on special projects designed by the host company and approved by internship administrators. A high level of discretion is imperative and all interns must abide by Host Company Policies and Procedures and University of Connecticut Rules, Regulations and Code of Ethics.

::: Be Part of a Vision

Internship administrators and interns work closely with host company supervisors to understand the organization’s needs, challenges, vision and strategic plan to best develop an opportunity that will yield outstanding results for the student and the firm.

1. What is the difference between the “Management Track” and the “Entrepreneurship Track”?
Interns in the Entrepreneurship Track are matched with an entrepreneurial organization. The entrepreneurship track requires students to work for an 11-week period, attend five on-campus workshops, and submit the final assignment: a plan for the host company that will add economic value, and a plan for the host company that will add social value.

The Management Track is primarily for students who have found internships on their own in a larger corporate management setting. Students must work for an 11-week period and must complete two assignments: an interview narrative and an internship assessment.



2. What are the benefits of participating in the program?
The Management 4891 Internship Program was developed to challenge students’ intellect, continuously improve their thought processes, and better themselves and the communities in which they live.  A meaningful work experience and personal growth are key benefits of the program. However, students also earn 6 management course credits towards their degree requirements. Please check with your academic advisor on how these credits will apply towards your plan of study.



3. Who are the internships for? Is the internship open to non-business majors?
Internships are primarily for business majors who are entering their senior year of undergraduate business students. Non-business majors are admitted into the internship program on a case-by-case basis and only if they have exemplary skills not otherwise found in the business-student pool of candidates.

To qualify for the program a student must be enrolled as a business major.



4. How competitive is the internship program? How many students are accepted into the program each summer?
The internship program is very competitive. Typically, only 1/2 the students who apply are accepted. Acceptance is contingent upon a number of variables - including degree of fit between existing student skill set and host company needs, availability, attitude, aptitude, and ambition.

Acceptance in to the internship program depends largely on the number of opportunities - which fluctuates each summer. In the past we have had as few as 17 students and as many as 35 students invited to participate in the program.



5. What do you look for in a potential intern? Do I need experience in the field?
The program seeks ambitious and self-directed internship candidates who are able to “see the big picture” and make strategic contributions under minimal supervision.  The most successful interns demonstrate high ambition, aptitude, diversity of experience, motivation for learning, ability to make informed and sound decisions, communication skills, and technical competence.

Previous work experience is considered during placement; however, all applicant competencies will be evaluated before a final placement decision is made.



6. When does the internship begin and end? Is the internship program offered during the Fall or Spring semesters?
a. The Entrepreneurial Tract internship is scheduled from May 18 to July 31.

b. The Management Tract internship is scheduled for an 11-week period from May to July. Participation dates vary from firm to firm, but must be approved by UConn internship administrators.

The internship program is not available during the Fall and Spring semesters.  The internship begins at the end of the academic year in May and lasts until the end of July.



7. What types of projects do interns work on? Where have students worked in the past? What industries are represented by participating employers?
Past projects include conducting research and competitive analysis, assisting in strategy development, evaluating policies, improving operational efficiency, implementing metrics to increase productivity, assisting human resources, and more. Students are also encouraged to suggest projects that will add value to the host company while at the internship.

Students have worked in a number of various industries including publishing, retail, food services, manufacturing, distribution, energy, travel/tourism/transportation, financial management, accounting, consulting, asset management, hospitality, recreation/sporting, amongst many more. Again - the internship program is not limited to any specific industry and the emphasis is on the value of the skill set to be learned.

Previous host companies represent a wide array of industries, from financial management to manufacturing.  The internship program is not limited to any specific industry.



8. How am I matched with an employer? Do I get to choose what company I work for?
Students are matched based on various criteria including geographic location, pre-existing skill set, interest, personality, etc...

You do not get to choose what company you work for. Interns are assigned to work for a company based on skill set and host company needs. The emphasis of the internship is to acquire new skills that are transferrable between all industries.



9. Where are the participating employers located? Are there any out-of-state internship opportunities?
Host companies are located in all regions of the state.  Geographic considerations will be given for each internship recipient. Interns looking to work out-of-state must find their own internships and submit those for approval to Priscilla Cale at priscilla.cale@uconn.edu.



10. How much academic credit is awarded for the internship? Will the credit count towards my major?
Interns will be awarded six Management Course credits upon successful completion of the 11-week internship period and submission of the required final semester projects.

Management course credits apply differently to each major. Check with your academic advisor on how the credits will apply specifically to your plan of study.



11. Can I find my own internship and receive credit?
Possibly. If you find an opportunity on your own, and want to see if you can receive credit for it, please contact Priscilla Cale at priscilla.cale@uconn.edu. Internships must work full-time for an 11-week period. Interns must work on projects that have a high degree of visibility, strategic focus for the firm, and higher degree of autonomy.

12. Can I receive credit for a previous internship?
No. Credit will only be issued to students who are enrolled in the Management 4891 Internship Program. Students may not receive credit, retroactively, for internships completed in the past.



13. How is the course graded?
The internship program is graded on a "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory" basis.



14. What is the course number? Is this a “w” course?
The course number for the internship program is MGMT 4891. Students may register upon formal admittance into the program. Once accepted, students will receive a permission number to register for the course.

No, this is not a "w" course.



15. Do I have to attend a class during the internship? What topics do the classes cover?
Yes. Interns enrolled in the entrepreneurship track are required to attend five on-campus full day seminars during the summer. The dates of these seminars are May 26, June 9, June 23, July 14, and July 28. Attendance at all five workshops is required!

Class topics cover key developmental areas in entrepreneurship such as moving from opportunity identification to idea, developing a business plan, establishing sales and marketing strategies, identifying sources of funding, and building a plan that will create social value (social entrepreneurship). Guest lecturers include industry subject matter experts as well as successful entrepreneurs.


16. Will I have class assignments during the internship?
a. The Entrepreneurship Tract requires interns to submit a final semester project at the end of the internship. The project will be a comprehensive plan that outlines opportunities the host company can capture to create economic value within the firm, as well as a comprehensive plan that outlines opportunities the host company can capture to create social value within the firm and its community.

b. The Management Tract requires an intern to submit two final semester papers at the end of the internship. The first paper is an “Assessment” Report; a 25-page assessment paper that focuses on the internship (company background, products, services, industry, internship assignments, internship accomplishments, and future recommendations). The second paper is an “Interview” Narrative; a 25-page paper based on four separate interviews conducted within the organization.  Interviews must focus on leadership, ethics, strategic planning, and execution.



17. Can I take another summer class in addition to taking the internship?



18. What happens if I miss an internship workshop or have a preplanned vacation?



19. Is the internship paid?  If so, how much can an intern expect to earn?
The internship is paid. Interns in the Entrepreneurship Tract are compensated at $12 to $16 per hour, while interns in the Management Tract are expected to establish their compensation with their host organization.



20. How many hours per week am I expected to work? Can interns work part-time?
Interns are expected to work a full-time schedule, which constitutes a minimum 40-hour work week.

All interns are required to work full-time equivalent (host company hours) for their host company during their 11-week period.



21. Are interns offered full-time employment following graduation?
It is not uncommon for partipating students to be offered a full-time position with their company upon graduation.  Students have also received part-time employment offers to work for the host company during the school year or winter break following completion of the internship.



22. How do I apply for the program? When should I apply? When is the application deadline?
To apply for the Entrepreneurship Tract, please click here.

To apply for the Management Tract, please click here.

The application deadline for interns is Friday, March 27th by Noon. All applications must be turned in to Priscilla Cale in the School of Business room 236.



23. When will I know if I have been accepted for the program? If I am selected for the program, what is the next step? Is there an interview?
Most students will be notified via e-mail within the first two weeks of April.

Once students have been accepted into the internship program, interns must contact their host company supervisor within 72 hours. At that time, interns may decide for formally accept or formally decline the internship opportunity (host company supervisors will also have the same option to continue with the assigned student or decline). Some host company supervisors will require an in-person or formal phone interview before proceeding.

Once students/host company supervisors both formally agree to move forward, interns will be given a permission # to register.



24. Do I have to take the internship if it is offered to me?



25. What topics do the classes cover?
Class topics cover key developmental areas in entrepreneurship such as moving from opportunity identification to idea, developing a business plan, establishing sales and marketing strategies, identifying sources of funding, and building a plan that will create social value (social entrepreneurship). Guest lecturers include industry subject matter experts as well as successful entrepreneurs.



25. Is registration for Management 4891 required?
Yes.



26. Who do I contact to learn more about the internship program?
Please contact Priscilla Cale at priscilla.cale@uconn.edu if you have any further questions regarding the internship.