Experiential learning is an integral part of the VSB curriculum. The school
encourages every undergraduate to complete at least one business internship or
CoOp. By successfully completing such programs, students earn free elective
credits and gain valuable experience.
Internships are opportunities for students to engage in professional activities
during the course of an academic semester or summer. Students who participate
in internships during the fall or spring semesters generally do so part-time,
while simultaneously taking four or five traditional courses. During the summer,
many students participate in internships on a full-time basis.
For academic (for-credit) internships, VSB requires students to work a minimum
of 150 hours (320 hours for accounting internships) over the course of a
semester or summer, and grants three free elective credits for completion of an
approved academic internship. VSB also assists students in pursuing
non-credit-bearing business internships.
The
Spring Accounting Internship (SAI) program enables students to obtain
practical exposure to the accounting and business environment. Accounting majors
work full time for a minimum of 14 weeks at an accounting firm during the spring
of their junior year, earning 6 free elective credits. They complete up to 12
credits during the summer following their junior year, thereby retaining their
full-time student status and remaining on track to graduate in 4 years.
CoOps (cooperative education experiences) involve a more intense, full-time
commitment. VSB students may elect to participate in a CoOp during their junior
year for a six-month period. Six free elective credits are granted for
successful completion of the CoOp, while the remaining 9–12 course credits are
earned before, during, and/or after the CoOp (depending on the semester of
participation). Sponsoring employers consider CoOp students to be temporary,
full-time, professional employees.
Internship and CoOp Program Information
The Benefits of Internships/CoOps Participation in internships and CoOps provides students with valuable
opportunities to:
• Make the connection between business theory and practice;
• Gain insights into career interests and “test the waters” before committing to
a specific career path or profession;
• Explore what it is really like to work in a particular industry or
organization on a daily basis;
• Develop a competitive edge by having proven business experience to offer
future full-time employers; and
• Earn a full-time job offer with an internship employer, as many organizations
utilize their internship programs as a pipeline for entry-level hires.
To learn more about pursuing an internship or CoOp, contact the
Clay Center at VSB.
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