Welcome to Experiential Learning at ASB!
Alcorn State University School of Business (ASB) strives to prepare graduates who will be well-rounded future leaders of high character who will be competitive in the global marketplace of the 21st century. Experiential learning, by way of internships and co-ops, is crucial to achieving this student-centered outcome.
Students may indeed be introduced to the dynamics of a globalizing world through ASB’s course offerings; however, direct experience is an invaluable complement to the academic coursework. To that end, business students are strongly encouraged to enhance their educational experience through workplace internships. Such experiences afford countless benefits: (i) students learn new skills at the experiential learning site; (ii) integrate and apply skills learned at the university; (iii) increase chances for employment vis-a-vis counterparts without such co-curricular learning experience; and, (iv) enhance graduate/professional school prospects and placements. Please note: At ASB, we may consider a variety of innovative experiential learning opportunities (e.g., “shadowing” activities, volunteer work, site visits, micro-consulting projects, etc.) as equivalents of the traditional internship.
The Process in Brief:
1. Let’s start with the basics! Get a better understanding of what an internship is all about. Please consult with your advisor, if necessary.
2. Find out internship opportunities that match your career goals. You are encouraged to reach out to businesses in your community that may offer internships. The ASB will also share with you internship opportunities via emails / social media. In addition, you are encouraged to visit the Career Services division of the university to get to know of internship opportunities. Finally, if you are a member of one of the Learning Communities in the School of Business, please ask the faculty mentor of the community if the Service Learning Project undertaken by the learning community could be treated as equivalent to Internship.
3. Meet with your advisor to ‘fine tune’ things. Your advisor will work with you to select from the available alternatives and also the scale and scope of internship. Please note that expectations about the rigor of internship are greater for graduate students.
It is generally expected that a 3 credits worth internship involve 20 hours / week of work in Fall and Spring terms and 15 hours / week work Summer I and Summer II terms. However, ASB does recognize that not all effort and learning can be measured in terms of hours. In situations warranting special consideration, your advisor will give you appropriate accommodations.
4. Submit the filled in Internship Application form to your advisor. (Please take time to read this form carefully. It contains a lot of useful information for you!). The form may be downloaded from HERE.
5. Your advisor will sign and give you a copy of it. Keep it, you will need it later!
6. Start, work, learn, reflect, and complete the internship.
As you do your internship, please refer to this TEMPLATE, particularly the table in it. While every internship is unique, this document will give you a idea of what the School of Business is expecting from you as an intern.
7. Submit to your advisor the following:
a. A copy of the approved Internship Application form
b. Certificate of satisfactory completion of the internship from your internship supervisor (use the content in this TEMPLATE to get the letter, on the organization’s official stationery)
c. A 300-500 words long reflective essay on your internship experience.
Ensure that you submit these at least 5 days before the end of the term. Your advisor will evaluate the submission and award you the grade.