In the opinion of many small business owners, their work is never done. Not only is time scarce in most lead entrepreneurs' schedules, but it seems everyone in every company is busy these days. Entrepreneurial students at the Kelley School are anxiously seeking opportunities to gain hands-on experience next summer with projects like these, to use their fresh business perspective, valuable research skills, and access to university resources to help someone accomplish their business goals. Last year, one student completed a business plan for a new product launch, another helped reorganize a company's accounting procedures, and a third researched a new market for a new product. Ideal internship projects have specific, definable parameters, and can be completed over the course of the four summer months.
Pay is negotiated between the student and the company.
The typical MBA intern is 28 years old with several years of professional experience, and many are members of the Entrepreneurship Academy, an intensive program for students pursuing an entrepreneurial career. MBA interns are qualified to conduct projects such as market research, competitive analysis, business plan development, new product introduction, and operations analysis, DeHayes said. Undergraduate interns are placed during the summer between their junior and senior years, and are typically students in the Entrepreneurship Workshop, a hands-on experience in developing and managing a small business. Undergraduate students pre-selected for internship placement participate in projects ranging from market research through business and marketing plan development, and operations or information systems analysis. Many of them begin interviewing with companies in January and often have their internship confirmed by the end of February.