Internship Program – G. Brint Ryan College of Business

One of the most important elements that prepares students for life after college is gaining practical work experience related to career or occupational goals. These experiences are often called internships. A more technical definition is:

Internship /ˈinˌtərnˌSHip /noun

The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.

Most degree programs in the Ryan College of Business do not require completion of an internship. Students who are interested in obtaining an internship position in order to gain valuable experience, without registering for a class, can do so at any time. There are no additional requirements they must satisfy.

However, students in Professional Selling, Aviation Logistics, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Operations and Supply Chain Management are required to complete an internship as part of their degree program. Students in these majors and those in other majors who desire internship credit – that is registering for course credit – must meet specific requirements.

Receiving Credit for an Internship in the Ryan College of Business

For credit internships in the Ryan College of Business are:

  • Formal
  • Educational
  • Focused on learning objectives and skills development
  • Documented
  • Paid
  • A single semester in length

The following are general requirements for receiving credit for an internship:

  • Declared major in the Ryan College of Business
  • In good academic standing
  • Eligible for upper level/professional field courses
  • Internship must be reported in Handshake via Experience Request
  • Must satisfy all departmental internship course prerequisites and requirements

Department (Major) Internship Requirements

To learn more about the specific internship requirements for your major, find the faculty/academic advisor who can assist you, and connect with your Career Coach in the Career Resource Center who can help you with the internship process, click on the department for your major below.

Obtaining an Internship

An internship search is almost exactly like a job search. The Career Resource Center in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business uses Handshake as a primary resource for job searches but using Handshake to acquire an internship is not required.  Here are a few suggestions:

  • Start Early – as you are approaching the 12 hours of 3000+ business courses
  • Apply for a lot of internships in your field
  • Attend career and job fairs
  • Network

Remember the Career Resource Center is here to assist students with their internship search.

After Obtaining the Internship

Students requesting credit for an internship need to create an experience request in Handshake.  Once the request is in the system, it will be evaluated to make sure the student meets the qualifications of a for-credit internship. At the end of the approval process the student will be notified that they are clear to register for the appropriate course.

Questions: Contact the Career Resource Center in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business

Alternatives to the Traditional Internship

In addition to a typical internship, there are other ways for you to gain experience and learn about a particular company or profession. This resource, Internship Alternatives, explains some of the opportunities. Two examples are Forage and Parker Dewey, which are highlighted in the video and information below.

  • Forage is a virtual work experience program. What does that mean? As a student, you can engage in online simulations of the work done at leading companies. Any student, regardless of university degree, prior experience, location or year group, can experience working at some of the world’s top firms. This opportunity is free for students through our partnership with Forage.
  • Parker Dewey is a competitive opportunity for college students and recent graduates to complete short-term, paid, professional assignments in a completely virtual setting. It has proven to be a great opportunity for students and recent graduates to demonstrate their skills, gain applied experience, and build their professional portfolios as they seek the right full-time role or internship. This account is free through the UNT partnership with Parker Dewey.

Recognizing Job Scams

Whilst most employers and job postings are legitimate, there is always the risk that some may be scams. Sometimes it is difficult to recognize the difference between what’s legitimate and what is not. Please visit this resource for more information on how to identify a potential employment scam.