Econ 495 (International)

Economics Internship with an Emphasis in International Economics (Econ 495)

(Econ 495, with approval from Prof. Adler and a department advisor)

Internship Position Description: An internship is any type of monitored work or service experience in which the student has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on these goals throughout the experience. The student intern's goals must be defined at the outset in discussions between the supervisor, the student intern, and the professor for the university course.

Benefits to the Supervising Firm or Agency:

1. Interns work 150 hours according to a schedule agreed upon by the supervisor and the intern. Student interns may work during the year, but all hours must be completed within a one-year period.
2. International Business interns can provide:
   • Staff assistance in: Business Office Operations, Market Research, Business Functions, Benefit/Cost Analysis, Marketing, Seminar Presentations
   • Computer Operations: Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Internet
   • Knowledge of two or more languages
   • Fresh ideas and new perspectives!
   • Access to University resources, facilities and experts

Benefits to the Student Intern:

• Invaluable work with a mentor
• Resumé building
• Contacts, experience and confidence in his/her career field
• Three units of senior course credit in IB 495
• Skills Development: computer software & Internet, communications, 2nd languages
• Community involvement and social growth

1. Before beginning work: Interns develop goals on their Goals (Form #1) and Proposal (Form #2) forms. Supervisors may request a copy as an aid in getting to know the prospective intern and for clarifying project goals.
2. The internship position must be 150 hours to be completed within one year or less. The weekly work schedule is up to the student and supervisor, though 8-15 hours per week is typical.
3. With the supervisor, student interns must develop a work schedule to complete assigned tasks specified on the Contract Form (Form #3). The signed contract must be submitted and approved at the I.B.E.I. Office before start-up. Schedules and tasks are left up to the supervisor but should consider the intern's specific goals.
4. Cost: Supervising firms are asked to make a $450 donation to the I.B.E.I. Program for the student's 150 hours of work. Donation checks should be made to the "SDSU Foundation" and submitted to Prof. Adler. Of this, the student receives a $200 scholarship check and recognition with the GOAL Award in the Economics Department's annual award ceremony held in May. The remainder of the funding allows us to screen interns' applications, provide them on-going counseling, and monitor their work.
5. Start-up: Supervisors are asked to schedule some regular work hours during which both the the intern and the supervisor are available for consultations on expectations and progress.
6. Interns are required to select a book relating to the internship experience. Supervisors may want to provide suggestions on relevant reading material.
7. Mid-evaluation: Interns must schedule an interim evaluation (Form #4) after completing 75 hours. At this time, the supervisor is asked to discuss salary potential in the intern's career field.
8. Final evaluation: Interns will provide the supervisor with a final evaluation form (Form #5). Supervisors are also asked to submit on office stationery a letter verifying that the intern has satisfactorily completed 150 hours and all assignments.
9. Interns must submit an 8-10 page paper to the I.B.E.I. office describing the internship experience. A discussion of the self-selected book is included. A student evaluation (Form #6) is also provided. Supervisors may request a copy to be made available to future prospective interns.
10. Interns re-visit the goals specified at the outset (Form #1, Side #2) and evaluate how the internship experience helped in initiating his/her career goals as graduation approaches.