Opportunities for Students

Internships provide students with critical real-world experience. They also allow students the opportunity to put theory into practice. Students find the ability to execute classroom theory into real business situations exciting and challenging. Internships are a student's best opportunity to explore his or her chosen field and to establish and clarify academic and career goals.

Students in every field of business are encouraged to apply for internships. An internship is required only for Healthcare Management majors, who must contact for approval Dr. Marilyn Whitman, mwhitman@cba.ua.edu. Management Information Systems and Operations Management majors must contact Heather Davis, hdavis@cba.ua.edu. Accounting seniors have the option to work during tax season with a firm in a full-time "spring mini term" internship, http://cba.ua.edu/accounting/students/internships.php. For details, contact Jessica Dixon, jadixon@cba.ua.edu. For all other inquiries, contact Kristi Wheeler-Griffin, intern@cba.ua.edu.

Each approved business internship constitutes a three-credit-hour C&BA course elective for which students must register and pay tuition, http://www.cost.ua.edu/. Some internships are paid; however, the focus for internships is on academic and professional experience for career preparation.

Each internship lasts for one full semester or summer according to UA's academic calendar, http://registrar.ua.edu/calendar/. Internships require students to work a minimum of 10-12 hours per week. Although there is no obligation beyond the internship, many employers hire their former C&BA interns. Employers save on recruiting and training costs by hiring students and new graduates who are already familiar to a company's staff and clients and who are prepared to contribute from day one.