Undergrad Internships & Co-ops (Employers)

Thank you for your interest in College of Business students!

The Ulmer Career Center is a full-service career center for College of Business students and we are happy to assist you with your co-op & internship needs. The information on this page pertains to undergraduate business students only.

For information on graduate internships, please see the Graduate Internship page for more information.
For information on Engineering Co-ops, please visit the Speed School of Engineering.
For co-op and intern needs outside business and engineering, please visit the University Career Center.

 

What is a co-op or an internship?

A co-op or internship is a short-term learning experience for students in a professional work environment and is typically related to the student’s major or career goal. The opportunity generally involves a student working in a setting under the supervision of and mentoring of a business professional. The work can be paid or unpaid and may or may not be eligible for academic credit.

If a co-op or internship is unpaid, it must meet the 7-factor primary beneficiary test published by the Department of Labor https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.htm.

What makes a co-op/internship eligible for academic credit?

College of Business Cardinal Careers is a career services tool offered to College of Business students, alumni, and employers. It allows employers to post full-time, part-time or temporary jobs, co-op/internships, request schedules for events, view resume books online, and much more.

The College of Business co-op/internship program provides the student the opportunity to build upon, apply, and assess the concepts that are developed through the curriculum and to further the student’s professional growth through meaningful “real-world” job experience. Although not all students will choose to receive academic credit for their internship, the College of Business will only advertise a position as a co-op or internship if it has been reviewed for academic credit. The review process will look at the following criteria:

  • Specific job duties & responsibilities
  • Internships should be substantial and practical, including analysis, evaluation, and application of business concepts
  • 75% of job responsibilities should be directly related to the major or minor of the intern. It is inappropriate for an intern to function as a “go-fer” or move from one clerical task to another.

While we strongly encourage all students to complete a co-op/internship and agree that all experiences are beneficial, not all requests for academic credit will be approved. If a job description is not approved for academic credit, we would be happy to advertise it as a part-time or temporary position as long as all federal labor laws are met.

How do I get started hiring a co-op student or intern?

Employers can use Cardinal Careers to post part- and full-time co-ops and internships and temporary, part-time, and full-time positions. This is one of the best ways to reach our students and is completely free for employers to use!  

If you are developing an internship, please be sure the following criteria are met:

  • Follow NACE best practices on internships
  • Know the Department of Labor’s laws regarding hourly employees
  • Develop a student assignment with a thorough job description
  • Ensure that at least 75% of the student’s tasks are related to their major and no more than 10-15% administrative
  • Describe the supervision structure and whether there will be an on-site supervisor

Once employers post a co-op or internship on Cardinal Careers, the review process will begin. Once approved, students will begin applying for positions.

Cardinal Careers for Employers

FAQs

What are the expectations of an intern?

Internships are learning experiences for students. Although interns are students and still in the learning process, they are expected to behave as employees of the company and to adhere to the company’s policies, guidelines, and privacy procedures. Professional expectations of the interns include behavior, time commitments, and dress codes.

What are the expectations of internship sites?

  • Complete a semesterly evaluation for the intern
  • Provide the intern with onsite training, supervision, guidance, and mentoring
  • Remain in contact with the Ulmer Career Management Center throughout the duration of the internship

When do students normally begin a co-op/internship?

Students complete a co-op/internship during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Since we know that employers do not work on semester schedules, we allow students to start at any point in the semester and can work with employers to establish start dates.

Does the College of Business have any prerequisites for a student interested in receiving academic credit for an internship?

Students must be in good academic standing and have completed the pre-req course for the major or minor they want to receive credit for. Students must contact the Ulmer Career Center before they start their co-op/internship or within their first 2 weeks of working if they want to receive credit.

Are business students required to complete a co-op/internship before graduation?

Management and CIS majors are required to complete a co-op/internship. However, we strongly encourage all students to complete a co-op/internship before graduation. It is up to the student to determine whether they would like to receive academic credit for it.

Are most of the co-ops/internships paid?

Yes, the majority of co-op and internship students receive hourly compensation, ranging from $10-23 per hour.

How many hours must the student work with my company?

Students must work 75 hours per credit hour they are requesting. Most students request 3 credit hours, requiring a minimum of 225 work hours.

Please contact the Ulmer Career Center at (502) 852-7756 or via e-mail at ulmer@louisville.edu.

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