In addition, many employers view experience as a big plus when hiring new employees. During an internship, the intern usually works on actual projects and observes others working in the career field. In addition, the intern may be involved in participating in training seminars and meetings.
Internships vary, but are frequently for one semester or longer.
To earn credit for an internship, the student has to apply to the appropriate academic department's internship program and be accepted into it, the employer has to be willing to sponsor the internship for credit, the academic department has to approve the internship for credit as well as provide a faculty sponsor prior to the internship commencing, and both the student and employer must meet the academic department's program activity requirements. The College of Business and Administration participates in and assists with SIUC's Annual Externship Program, which is sponsored by the Student Alumni Council of the SIU Alumni Association. An externship through this program is a week-long or shorter volunteer, career experience during Spring Break. Juniors and seniors are invited to apply in the Fall for this Spring program.