Internship Opportunities for Employers and Students at TAMIU

Give college students real world experience and college credit this Fall with an internship offered by Texas A&M International University's College of Business Administration internship program.

“For employers, this is an opportunity to work and mentor soon-to-be-graduated students. Without exception, these students have been vibrant, energetic and focused,” said Dr. Frank Collins, internship program coordinator and Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professor of Accounting.

Internships are supervised employment - a job. Students are required to work at least 135 hours for academic credit. During the internship, students are also expected to maintain a work log and write an end of internship report.

Internships are offered in all fields of study at the College of Business Administration.

“I learned you have to be very precise in what you do. Errors can be costly for the firm. Ethical values also play a big role within an accounting firm,” said former intern Marty Glover who worked at Ramiro E. Menchaca, LLP.

“Employers who offer internships get some short-term help from bright, energetic and focused people. I constantly get compliments on the quality of work performed by the interns,” added Dr. Collins.

Collins also said that employers have the opportunity to evaluate a potential employee and the intern can evaluate the company or organization as a possible employer. If things don't work out, there is a time limit to the internship and the employer or the intern can less traumatically end the relationship.

“More importantly, because the employer has had an opportunity to evaluate the intern, they have a better notion of whether they'll be a good 'fit' in their organization and since the intern has had the opportunity to evaluate the company, they'll be making a better informed decision when they chose whether or not to accept employment after the internship is completed. Consequently, it's more likely that the former intern, now employee, will have a more satisfying long-term relationship,” explained Collins.

Employers also benefit because students do their internships near the end of their degree program. That way they are able to relate what they've had in their coursework to their job. Employers are encouraged to expose the interns to various departments so they can relate to a variety of subjects such as accounting, management and finance. They also benefit because the interns are top students. Undergraduates must have at least a 2.85 grade point average and 3.0 GPA in their major.

“Interns returning to school for their remaining coursework find this coursework to be more relevant and important. What we teach at the TAMIU College of Business Administration is real world. Consequently, returning interns are more focused on getting the most out of their education. They know it's relevant,” said Collins.

Businesses interested in offering opportunities for internships should contact Collins at fcollins@tamiu.edu or call 326.2493.

TAMIU students interested in internship should also contact Collins.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu