What Are the Different Types of Business Administration Internships?

Business administration internships vary by major concentration and what sector the student wishes to work in after graduation. Since a business administration degree program gives graduates a generalist education, these skills can be applied to almost any field or industry. Students may choose paid or unpaid internships in finance, marketing, computer information systems or accounting. Some choose to complete their business administration internships over the summer or work part-time throughout the year.

Investment and finance companies are a common place for students to complete business administration internships. This includes both undergraduate and graduate MBA students. The finance sector remains a popular choice for business administration students due to the heavy exposure they receive to financial and math concepts during their coursework. It also tends to be a lucrative field once a few years of experience are under the new graduate's belt.

Other students seek out internships in marketing and advertising or with technology firms. The goal of any internship, whether paid or unpaid, is to gain practical work experience. Many companies monitor the performance of interns and offer them full-time positions prior to or after graduation. Internship programs have become an additional way for companies to recruit potential full-time employees and proactively "interview" them over an extended period of time.

Business administration internships may be paid or unpaid. College credit is typically awarded for internships, especially when they are unpaid. If their degree program does not require the completion of business administration internships, students may choose not to receive college credit due to the additional tuition expense. Some sort of stipend or hourly pay is common for business administration internships, especially those in the finance sector.

Students use internships to develop their potential careers. They may use a field experience to do this. A field experience is a type of internship that lasts for a shorter amount of time. Placements are usually a few weeks in duration, and involve more observation than active participation. This allows students to experiment with different occupations and careers to see where they might fit best after graduation.

There are also summer internship programs that allow students who are near graduation to work in a temporary full-time capacity. These internships are typically geared towards specific functions within a company, such as marketing or accounting. Students may focus on a specific area or company department, such as commercial accounts, and work with mentors to develop and initiate actual projects. Summer internships can be a good way to get a foot in the door with a company or gain practical experience in a particular industry and job function.