What is an internship?
An internship is an opportunity for a student to spend a semester or summer working for a company or nonprofit organization and to gain skills and knowledge that build on what they are learning in their course work.
How do I find an internship opportunity?
Students can find internship opportunities on their own by registering with Salem State’s Career Services and searching Handshake, the university job board that prospective employers use to post internship and job opportunities. Students should also meet with their faculty advisors to discuss their interest in completing an internship. Many faculty have relationships with companies and nonprofits that hire BSB interns. Finally, students can reach out to the assistant dean, director of student success who works with students and external organizations to find internship opportunities.
To see a few of the many companies and organizations that hire BSB interns and graduates go the Bertolon partner page.
What are the requirements for a credit bearing internship?
Most students begin to apply for internships in their junior year after they have completed many of their core business courses and have declared their concentration. Students must be in good academic standing and not on academic warning or probation.
Before applying students should have a professional resume and a LinkedIn profile. It is also helpful to have done some practice interviewing. Career Services and the Bertolon Center for Student Success provide support to help students with resume writing and interviewing skills.
To earn three credits for an internship students must work a minimum of 120 hours during a semester or summer (about 8-10 hours per week). In some cases, with the approval of their department chair, students can earn more than three credits if the internship extends beyond 15 weeks and the minimum 120 hours. Most internships are paid positions.
How do I apply to receive course credit?
Once a student has secured an internship, to receive credit they must complete an application and receive approval from the appropriate department chair. Once approved a student is registered for an internship like any other course. Department chairs assign a faculty sponsor to work with the student and their internship site supervisor to ensure the internship is successful. At the conclusion of the internship the faculty sponsor consults with the site supervisor and completes an evaluation. Internships are graded P or NP. Students are also asked to submit their evaluation of the internship. If students have questions about the application process, they should contact their faculty advisor or the assistant dean, student success.
Do I have to pay additional tuition to do an internship?
A credit bearing internship is treated like any other course and is covered by tuition if you are a full-time student. If the internship is for the summer, the tuition is the same as for any summer course. Summer courses are not eligible for financial aid but students who have completed a FAFSA and are eligible can apply for a tuition award to help pay the additional tuition costs.
Is there any other financial aid available?
Thanks to the generosity of donors, there is additional financial aid and stipends available for BSB students participating in an internship, paid or unpaid by the employer. Henry ’74 and Donna Bertolon, Elliot ’78 and Donna Katzman ’78, ‘98G and Ralph and Janice James are providing the financial freedom for students to explore their passion through experiential learning.
“During my sophomore through senior years at Salem State, I was fortunate to have an internship that launched my career. Through that internship, I not only gained experience and important skills—I also built confidence and self-esteem, which allowed me to compete with others from more prestigious schools.” –Elliot Katzman ‘78
Students participating in a credit bearing but unpaid internship can also apply for an internship stipend to cover their compensation. The stipend for a 15 week, 3 credit internship is $1,800.
Internship aid can be applied to tuition or utilized for internship-related costs like transportation, technology, equipment, food and attire.
Who are the organizations that offer internship opportunities?
See our list of recent internship partners here.
Other questions?
Contact the BSB assistant dean director student success.