Interested in completing an internship?

Information for Students in Business Technologies Associate Degree and Certificate Programs

Internships provide a unique way for students to put into action what they’ve learned in the classroom. The Business Technologies department provides a variety of internships that meet students' needs and interests.

These high-quality internships cater to a student’s major field of study and allow students to apply theory to real world experiences. The internships can also open doors into a chosen career.

The internships are temporary paid or unpaid educational experiences in which students earn one to four academic credits by working 60 to 240 on-the-job hours. Students are required to develop measurable learning objectives they commit to meet during the internship based on their academic curriculum and field of study. To earn the academic credits, students must meet these objectives, complete their assigned work hours, post a weekly journal, and complete the final Business Technologies Internship Report and the Student Internship Evaluation.

How to Apply for Internships

Students should complete the Student Internship Application during the term before the anticipated enrollment and assignment. Students also may apply during the term in which they plan to complete the internship.

• The student must meet the prerequisites of nine credit hours in their major field of study with a grade “C” or better.
• The student submits the completed application and a prepared resumé to the BTI Coordinator.
• The student is matched with potential employers or organizations that have completed internship applications.
• The student contacts the potential employer and/or organization to set up an appointment for the internship interview. (It is recommended that the student meets with the SPC Career Development staff to prepare for the internship interview.)
• The student contacts the BTI Coordinator following the internship interview to report the outcome. (If the student did not successfully obtain the position, other internship opportunities will be explored.)
• The student registers and pays for the course, is assigned a faculty member, and can logon to ANGEL for course instructions once the internship assignment is secured.

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Activities Required During Internship

A faculty member will be assigned to assist the student in developing two to three learning objectives that relate to the internship assignment and the student’s field of study.

• Learning objectives: A learning objective is an intentional learning goal. It is a written statement describing specific measurable achievements to accomplish during the internship experience. The learning objectives should relate to the job, represent the job functions and duties, assist in professional growth and development, and relate to the academic curriculum of the degree and/or certificate program. The learning objectives also should be realistic enough to attain during the internship.
  Learning objectives provide a number of benefits to the student and the employer or organization. Most important, the learning objectives give the internship experience more academic integrity by providing documentation of learning outcomes. After the student develops the learning objectives, the assigned faculty member and the on-the-job supervisor approve the objectives and agree that the objectives reflect a quality student learning experience.
• Weekly journal: To ensure there is an optimal learning experience, which relates to the Business Technologies curriculum, the student is required to complete an online weekly journal summarizing work activities and citing progress towards meeting the learning objectives.
• Final report and evaluation: Upon completion of the internship work assignment, a final Business Technologies Internship Report and Student Internship Evaluation must be submitted to the assigned faculty member. The date for submission will be directed by the assigned faculty member.

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Student Responsibilities and Expectations

The following checklist of student responsibilities and expectations is offered to help keep the BTI process as straightforward as possible.

• The student should be able to apply the course content, including theory and skills, to a job situation.
• The student should be able to develop key problem-solving skills to effectively complete learning objectives and work efficiently throughout the internship.
• The student should be willing and able to arrange personal schedules to meet the needs of the employer’s or organization’s work site; as well as transportation to and from the work site.
• The student is responsible to maintain all coursework during the term of the internship assignment without special consideration.
• The student should take responsibility for learning and observing all rules, standards and practices put in place by the employer or organization whether written or implied.
• The student must complete all course assignments to earn credit.
• The student should utilize all the care and caution for safety that would normally be employed when in a new or unfamiliar situation or work environment. The student should take particular care in evaluating the workplace and surrounding area in which the internship is located and decide whether or not these environments are safe.
• The student is encouraged to provide the employer or organization and the BTI Coordinator two weeks’ notice before resigning, and appropriate notice to the employer or organization before missing any work and any resignation or termination.
• While participating in the Internship Program, students shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and comply with the college’s rules and procedures governing conduct and behavior.

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Contact Information

Business Technologies Internship (BTI) Coordinator
Susan Biszewski-Eber
EpiCenter, Room 2-409
727-341-3013

Academic Department Coordinator
Insurance, Industrial Management, Computer Technology, Computer/Web Programming, Web Design
Nancy Russell
St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus
727-341-4620

Academic Department Chair
Computer Technology, Computer/Web Programming, Networking (CISCO, Microsoft, A+, Linux)
Holly Hoopes
Clearwater Campus
727-791-2530

Academic Department Chair
Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Nicolle Panuthos
Seminole Campus
727-394-6266

Academic Department Chair
Accounting, Financial Services, Management, International Business
Roberto Fernandez
Tarpon Springs Campus
727-712-5770