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FAQs

1. How do I post an internship opportunity?
2. What are the legal issues involved with internships?
3. How does the UB School of Management define the role of the supervisor?
4. Is there any guarantee I will receive a student intern?
5. Do we pay interns?  What is the average pay? 
6. What are the required academic prerequisites for student interns?
7. Are faculty advisors available to students?
8. In what kinds of projects can a student intern engage?
9. What are the kinds of things students should not be asked to do?
10. Is it possible to take on students who are not registered for credit? 

1. How do I post an internship opportunity?

New Employers: Register with our office through BizLink as your first step. All registrations are reviewed by our office and you will receive an email notification after we approve your request. 

Current Employers: Simply log in to BizLink and click on "Jobs/Internships" then "Add New". Complete the form and click "submit".  You may post internship positions within specific dates. Visit our timeline to learn more. Students apply as per your instructions. Employers also have the ability to repost past internships.
 

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2. What are the legal issues involved with internships?

For answers to some common legal questions, visit the Legal Issues section.

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3. How does the UB School of Management define the role of the supervisor?

The UB School of Management expects the supervisor to provide high-quality project work, to provide an environment in which the student intern can work comfortably and to introduce the student intern to the larger organizational structure. Supervisors serve as role models as well as liaisons to a larger network of professionals.

Supervisor Paperwork

• Management By Objectives Contract (MBO): The MBO is an integral part of the validation process for our internships.  After the student has accepted an internship offer, supervisors are required to sign the MBO contract, which outlines an agreement regarding responsibilities of the supervisor, school and student.
• Offer letter (for international students): If an international student is chosen as an intern, the supervisor writes an official offer letter for proper work authorization.
• Evaluations: At the end of the internship experience, supervisors are expected to complete and submit a one-page evaluation form that assesses the student intern's performance as well as the CBIP.

Importance of the MBO Contract 

The UB School of Management and the CBIP consider the Management By Objectives contract (MBO) as an agreement between all constituents: supervisor, student intern, and the University.  By signing this contract, the student intern agrees to complete the project(s) described; while the supervisor agrees to provide the guidance and resources to complete the internship project(s). UB staff and faculty refer to the MBO and the internship description to determine the substance and integrity of the credit-bearing internship. A student is allowed to begin an internship only after the MBO is complete and filed with our office.

Supervisor Qualifications

A qualified supervisor has: (For a list of qualities expected, visit Supervisor Traits)

• Several years of experience and in-depth knowledge in their professions
• Sensitivity to the educational role. The learning component is essential to the quality of an internship
• An understanding of how an intern's project fits into the organization
• Consistent availability to the student for guidance and encouragement

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4. Is there any guarantee I will receive a student intern?

There is no guarantee. Three strategies will increase the likelihood of attracting strong candidates:

1. Offer hourly pay, a stipend, or other perks. The most competitive and challenging opportunities provided by our top organizations are also paid positions. This is especially crucial during the summer semester when students are charged separate tuition to complete a credit-bearing internship. See FAQ #8 for more details.
2. Post your internship description early.  Students start their internship search several months before each semester begins. Access the timeline for more information.
3. Develop the type of internship project that will enhance a student's résumé.

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5. Do we pay interns?  What is the average pay?  What if my organization cannot offer pay?

We live in a competitive world, even with respect to attracting qualified student interns. The CBIP encourages employers to offer pay to student interns. Rates for undergraduate interns range from $8 to $12 per hour, and for graduate students, $15 to $25 per hour. If your company is unable to pay a regular wage, you may consider providing alternative "perks" to attract the most talented students. For example, many employers reimburse students for transportation or other costs associated with the internship. Alternative perks may include:

• Selection for highly visible projects
• Publishing / presentation opportunities
• Opportunities for name recognition (internal awards, patent teams)
• Internal networking opportunities (meeting with key individuals within organization)
• External networking opportunities (industry conference or organizational meeting attendance)
• Transportation and / or parking passes
• Meal allowance
• Housing assistance
• Discounted or giveaway merchandise 

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6. What are the required academic prerequisites for student interns?

Rest assured that students applying for positions posted through the CBIP are in good academic standing and have earned a grade of at least a "B" in a course related to the internship concentration and project. 

• Undergraduate students: must hold senior status or be entering senior year (summer between junior and senior year is most popular). 
• MBA or MS students: domestic students need to have completed one semester of their programs before participating in internships; international students must have completed one year of their program.
• All student interns are required to provide at least 150 hours of work to the employer in order to receive 3 academic credits.  We trust that employers working with our internship program speak to their student interns regarding the process of ensuring academic credit.  

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7. Are faculty advisors available to students?

A faculty director oversees the academic component of the program as well as the internship policy committee, comprised of several faculty members in UB's School of Management including the internship program's administrative director. 

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8. In what kinds of projects can a student intern engage?

View samples of appropriate credit-bearing internships.

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9. What are the kinds of things students should not be asked to do?

Students should not be treated as independent consultants. Always remember that students engage in internships to learn about their chosen profession. The supervisor serves as a mentor and “professor on site.” Treat the internship environment as a laboratory of sorts. Although some basic clerical work may be a minor part of the internship, less than 20 percent of the work can be clerical in nature. Under no circumstances should the student be expected to run personal errands for a supervisor or anyone else on site.

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10. Is it possible to take on student interns who are not registered for credit?

Not through CBIP. Posting an internship position with the CBIP means that you are providing an opportunity for students to earn academic credit for their work. Student interns can earn academic credit while working in paid internship positions. Legally, profit-making companies who offer unpaid internships MUST offer the internship for academic credit. Read more in the legal issues section. UB is not responsible for students not registered for credit. 

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