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Your Guide to Business Internships

Explore our comprehensive guide to the best business internships for college students.

Internships for business majors

As a major with so many career path options, business gives you many options to choose from for internships. There will always be an opening for a great business internship, as the field is always looking for capable business students to help and hire.

In your business internships you’ll gain skills in teamwork, organization, accountability, and problem-solving among many others. Internship opportunities for business students can foster great exploration of the field, since there are so many paths in business to consider and understand.

How do I get a business internship?

Getting an internship in business could not be more exciting considering the sheer amount of opportunities in different businesses. Business internships during summer 2021 will provide you with many valuable experiences, giving a real taste of what it’ll be like to work in business down the line. You’ll connect with potential mentors, learn business trade secrets, and build relationships with coworkers with a range of expertise. It’s also a plus if it’s a paid business internship!

The best business internship programs beef up resumes, provide valuable avenues to letters of recommendation, and can even turn into full-time jobs. If you consider all of these perks of a business internship and add the benefit of exploring different facets of one field, then start your business internship search now!

Tips for your resume and profiles

Before you get started on sending out applications, make sure that you have your resume up to date and have fully filled out all your Handshake profile details. With a complete profile, an impressive business internship is more attainable than ever. Recruiters are much more likely to message a student with a complete profile that says you want to work in business than an unfinished one.

Tips for your internship interview

When you do land your first interview, be it a virtual interview or in person, make sure to come prepared and dressed to impress. Review your resume and cover letter to make sure you have specific examples of your experience to share, from clubs or coursework. You can even schedule a mock interview with your university’s career center or, if you’re tight on time, ask a trusted friend to grill you on some common interview questions.

Tips for networking at your business internship

Once you’ve landed an internship in business and settled into the flow of day-to-day life at the office, start chatting with your coworkers. Whether they’re industry professionals or fellow interns, it’s important to treat them with equal respect. You never know what insights they could lend, or who could be a valuable connection down the line, five or ten years from now. Don’t be afraid to ask your new colleagues out for quick coffee chats, or request 15-minute informational interviews about their career trajectory.

Want more tips for getting the most out of your internship?

Looking for specific advice before your internship begins? Or are you hungry for further information even after your internship is over? A good way to delve even deeper into your career path growth is to attend a virtual event or two. Not only will you be learning more about your own career, but there will also be chances to network with employers, industry specialists, and other students sharing different perspectives.

Jobs you can get as a business major

Wondering where the “business internships near me” are? Internships in business can fall under any of the following roles we’ve listed here for you! Internships are meant to guide you towards your true desired career path and your summer 2021 business internship could kick it off in the right direction.

For internships, it doesn’t matter if you’re on the hunt for business internships for college freshman or paid business internships or business internships in NYC. The following job roles and suggestions on where to apply for business internships can guide you in the right direction for whatever you’re looking for.

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers oversee the promotional efforts of a company through marketing and advertising campaigns. They manage the research, planning, strategy, and execution of the company's marketing initiatives, which ultimately aim to increase sales or brand awareness.

Companies you can apply to: KPMG LLP, Apple, Microsoft

Average pay: $42,000

Business Analysts

Business analysts and management consultants provide organizations with valuable strategic insights and strategies on how to ensure prime efficiency in the workplace and improve weaker areas of their business. They often possess a business degree and have extensive knowledge on business practices and organizational behavior.

Companies you can apply to: EY LLP, Accenture, Wayfair

Average pay: $70,000

Accountant

Accountants record and analyze data from financial records. After assessing a person or company's accounts, accountants advise their client on the best way to organize and manage their funds.

Companies you can apply to: Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, EY LLP

Average pay: $50,000

Public Relations Managers

Public relations managers and specialists communicate with journalists and media outlets to promote news and create a specific public image for an individual, group, or organization. Their responsibilities may include managing social media accounts, writing press releases, and planning press events.

Companies you can apply to: Insight Global, Ignite Mental Health, Nestle USA

Average pay: $38,000

Project Manager

Project managers (PMs) oversee the planning and execution of given projects for a company or client by managing a team of workers, scheduling deadlines, and acting as the point of contact for any outsourced resources.

Companies you can apply to: Kiewit, Microsoft, Fidelity Investments

Average pay: $55,000

Data Analyst

Data analysts collect and compile data to produce useful insights for a given project, client, or organization. By identifying trends and drawing conclusions from those trends, data analysts are able to provide quantitative and qualitative reasoning to support or oppose a business decision.

Companies you can apply to: Bank of America, Amazon, Facebook

Average pay: $58,000

Auditor

Auditors examine the financial records of businesses and individuals to prove their legitimacy and legality. By analyzing and reporting their finals, they also give their clients recommendations on how to avoid risky financial situations.

Companies you can apply to: Credit Suisse, CohnReznick LLP, Facebook

Average pay: $56,000

Tips and tricks for your business internship

Want tips for getting and acing your business internship? Look no further.

How do you get a business internship in college?

When searching for business internships, it’s key to use the location filters provided on Handshake. You’ll be able to pinpoint business internships exactly where you want to intern just by selecting the city you want in the search bar. Easy business internships in your preferred city are just a search away.

You can even research possible job roles that you might want to explore during your business internship. Handshake also makes it easy to learn about roles in business simply by using the job role search bar.

And if you want to take your research one step further, you can even research top employers in the business field on Handshake. Just by using the Handshake employer search feature you can discover companies that are hiring in your specific field by filtering by “Industry.”

Where can I intern for business?

Some companies that would be great for business majors looking for internships: Facebook, Credit Suisse, and EY LLP.

Business internships for college students can be found all over! Even companies that don’t seem to have a main focus in business are looking for bright interns to help them develop.

Are business internships paid?

Yes, you can find paid business internships on Handshake by using the search filters!

The average annual pay for full time business jobs range from $38,000 to $70,000.

How much does a business intern make?

The average annual pay for full time jobs in business range from $38,000 to $70,000.

Are internships necessary for business majors?

While it's not required, internships are great opportunities for growth and experience. From business internships for undergraduates to great seasonal business internships, you’ll be able to build both hard and soft skills and even network.

What is a business intern?

Along with networking and gaining mentorship, business interns will spend time working on skills great for later in their career journeys. Business interns will learn how to plan and execute concrete goals, communicate their visions effectively, project manage and collaborate with a team on a shared goal.

Where can I intern for business?

Some companies that would be great for business majors looking for internships: Facebook, Credit Suisse, EY LLP, Microsoft, and Amazon.

What can you learn from a business internship?

During your business internship, you’ll learn some great generic skills like time management, accountability, organization, and teamwork. Additionally, you’ll be immersed in the world of business which will help you develop your knowledge of quantitative aptitude, how to manage business projects effectively, and about your company’s supply chain.

What should business interns put on their resume?

When putting together your resume, make sure to have all your skills, courses, and accomplishments laid out for employers to view. Also having your preferred job role and location on your Handshake profile is a great way to signal your interest to potential recruiters.

For business interns, some great skills to list would be specific technical skills, time management, ability to follow through and execute, and ability to contribute and collaborate in a team setting. It’s also key to mention organizations or projects that you led and can explain thoroughly.

Photo by Kristin Hardwick from StockSnap

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