Services

CoBA Internships

An internship is a valuable educational experience that allows students to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting. Interns work part-time or full-time with an employer to gain practical skills, industry insight, and professional connections.

Students are responsible for identifying, applying for, and securing their own internship opportunities. While the Business Placement Center provides career coaching, resume reviews, interview preparation, employer connections, and internship search strategies, internship placement is not guaranteed. Students should begin searching early to ensure they have adequate time to secure an opportunity before the application deadline.

Eligibility:

Third- and fourth-year students may enroll in the 3-credit internship course to expand their experience, strengthen career goals, and build confidence in their chosen field.

HTEM Internship Approval: HTEM students must complete a 400-hour internship and obtain approval through the HTEM Internship Coordinator before beginning. Students enroll in HTEM 371B after completing the required hours. Contact: Ravi Karan – ravikaran@siu.edu

ECON Internship Approval: ECON students seeking internship credit must follow the department's approval process. Contact: Kevin Sylwester – School Director, Analytics, Finance & Economics – ksylwest@siu.edu

Career Support for HTEM & ECON Students:  While internship approval for academic credit is handled through your academic department, the Business Placement Center is here to support your career development. We assist HTEM and ECON students with internship search strategies, resume and cover letter reviews, employer connections, interview preparation, LinkedIn development, and other career readiness resources to help you secure and succeed in an internship.

Requirements to Earn Credit

The internship must allow students to actively apply skills gained in upper-level coursework rather than perform general or entry-level tasks.

Before You Apply

1. Secure an internship related to your major (e.g., Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Management, Marketing, etc.).
2. Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
3. If interning with a for-profit organization, the internship must be paid (nonprofit organizations are exempt).

Complete the Internship Application

1. Before submitting your application, save a copy of your completed responses. If revisions or additional information are requested, you will need access to your original submission to make updates.
2. Submit the Internship Application by the applicable deadline.
3. After submitting your application, share the application link with your internship supervisor/coordinator so they can complete the required employer information. Internship approval cannot move forward until both the student and employer portions have been submitted.
4. Obtain approvals from your Academic Advisor, Business Placement Center Director, and the School Director.

After Approval

1. Register for the corresponding internship course (ACCT, BSAN, FIN, MGMT, or MKTG 495) during the same semester you intern. Academic credit cannot be awarded retroactively.
2. Complete 180 work hours to earn 3 credit hours.

Deadlines

• Fall Internship: July 15
• Spring Internship: October 31
• Summer Internship: April 30

For questions, contact the Business Placement Center at placement@siu.edu or 618-453-2603.

SIU Extern Program

For over 40 years, SIU’s Extern Program has connected more than 4,000 students with alumni and professional partners nationwide, providing hands-on career exploration and development opportunities. This one-week, unpaid experience allows students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings, gain industry insight, and build valuable professional networks.

 Open to students who have completed at least three semesters (including transfer, JD, and master’s students), the program offers job-shadowing opportunities each spring across a wide range of career fields, often leading to mentorships, internships, and even full-time positions.

Student Externship Program Guide

BPC Job Board

Your next opportunity is waiting!

The BPC Internship & Job Board is your one-stop hub for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time career opportunities designed to help you gain hands-on experience and grow your professional network.

From Fortune 500 companies to local businesses, explore openings that align with your goals, interests, and major. Whether you’re testing career paths or ready to land your dream role — we’re here to help you get there. Search. Apply. Succeed. Every connection you make brings you closer to the career you’ve been preparing for.

Explore thousands of internship and job opportunities tailored to SIU students on Handshake, our official career platform. Connect with top employers and find positions that match your major and career goals.

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