MGMT 490 

Management Internship

Syllabus and Contract Form – Spring 2010

 

Instructor:  Kristi Lewis Tyran

Contact Information: 

(360) 650-2078 

kristi.tyran@wwu.edu

 

Note:  this syllabus is also available on my homepage:  www.cbe.wwu.edu/kristityran

 

            The Management Internship Course (MGMT 490) provides an opportunity for students to gain practical experience in a professional work setting as part of their academic program in the Management Concentration at Western Washington University.  Many student interns are completing their last year of the Management concentration, and are taking MGMT 414 “Leadership Practicum” concurrently (see Student Eligibility Criteria).    The student intern is expected to work a total of 160 hours (4 weeks full-time or a minimum of 16 hours per week for 10 weeks) under the direct supervision of qualified working professionals in order to earn four units of academic credit.  Students can enroll for internship credit during any quarter of the year.

            Each internship is customized to suit the needs of the organization and the student. The Internship is most valuable to the student intern if a variety of duties related to management and leadership are assigned and if the intern is considered a “professional” in training.   Students are encouraged to seek internships where they manage projects, facilitate research efforts, plan and implement an event, or coordinate efforts and tasks of others.  A  contractual agreement is entered into by the student, the organization supervisor, and the faculty supervisor (sample attached).  This contract includes a job description, work schedule, evaluation procedures, and  the amount of financial remuneration offered to the student (if any).


Department Policy on Internships

·        Organizations must meet certain criteria before they can be considered as an internship site:  (1) the organization must be a licensed business, registered non-profit organization, or division of a public enterprise, operating from a building in an area zoned for business/commercial purposes; (2) the on-site supervisor must have qualifications that are commensurate with his/her role as business professional and mentor. 

·        Students may not do an internship provided by a relative or in a company owned by a parent or relative.

·        Students may not do an internship in their place of present employment unless they are (1) formally transferred to another department, which is (2) separate from the department in which they are employed, (3) the department is under the direction of a different supervisor, and (4) the internship is directed by a person who is a professional manager.

·        Students may not receive retroactive credit for internship work performed.

 

Student Eligibility Criteria

 

To be eligible for Internship credit a student must:

1.     have been accepted as a CBE Major *;

2.     have a 2.80 or better GPA in the Major;

3.     have completed MGMT 313 (Teamwork Basics) **

 

                                   

* Preference will be given to Students concentrating in Management.

** Note: Additional preparation or prerequisites may be required for some internships.   For example, a student planning an internship involving detailed project management may be required to complete OPS 461 “Project Management” prior to beginning the internship.

 


Internship Requirements

 

            Preliminary Steps:

1.     Meet with your major faculty advisor and the internship faculty advisor to discuss your career goals and the type of internship that is best suited to helping you meet these goals.

2.     With the assistance of the faculty internship advisor, determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria noted above.  

3.     SELECT AN INTERNSHIP.  Your are responsible for finding your internship, although  I  will determine whether this internship meets departmental standards (see Department Policy on Internships).  Check with me, the Career Center, and bulletin boards in Parks Hall for suggestions.  I may be able to help you find a contact for an internship, but a request for help should be submitted as early as possible (preferably 5 weeks) prior to the beginning of the quarter when the internship will be taken for credit.

4.     COMPLETE INTERNSHIP CONTRACT FORM  (attached).  This must be completed and signed by the student, me, and the organization supervisor by April 6, 2010.  You are responsible for insuring that each of the signatories to the contract  receives a copy.    Several days may be required to complete this form to the satisfaction of all parties involved, so make sure and allow time for this process. Without this contract, you will not receive credit for the internship.

 

            Before the Internship Begins:

                       

1.      SUBMIT FORMS.    The Internship Contract  form and a copy of your transcript,  demonstrating that all eligibility requirements have been met, must be submitted to me  prior to beginning the actual internship.  In some cases, these forms must be submitted prior to course registration.

2.      REGISTRATION.   Once I approve and sign the Contract, I will give you approval for taking the course.  Once I have approved the internship, the Chair of the Department must also provide approval.  Once both approvals have been granted, permission to register will be provided by the Department Administrative Manager.  Registration is by Instructor Approval only.

 

During the Internship:

 

1.      INITIAL MEETING WITH ORGANIZATION SUPERVISOR.   An initial meeting will be arranged during the first two weeks of the internship so that the instructor, student, and the on-site internship supervisor can review the Contract.   This is an informal, “get-to-know” meeting.  Subsequent visits may be arranged to discuss your progress.  If an in-person meeting cannot be arranged, then all parties must communicate via telephone.

2.      DAILY JOURNAL.   Keep a journal record of tasks performed each day you are “on the job”.  Include copies of all work performed.  This journal will assist you in preparing your portfolio assignment (it is sometimes difficult to recall what happened several weeks ago, but this journal will keep it fresh!).

3.      WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH INSTRUCTOR.  Please prepare for these meetings by setting an agenda.  At least 24 hours prior to each meeting, send your agenda and a project update memo via e-mail.  During the meeting, we will go over your agenda and your project progress.  These memos and meetings keep me up-to-date and allow you to voice any concerns or questions regarding the internship.   Bring your journal and samples of your work to these meetings.  Failure to meet with me may result in a grade of no credit.

4.      CRITIQUE SESSIONS WITH ORGANIZATION SUPERVISOR.  Make sure you and your organization supervisor establish regular weekly meetings for the exclusive purpose of critiquing your performance.  These sessions will also allow you to discuss opportunities for making your internship of maximum benefit to you.

5.      MIDTERM EVALUATION FROM ORGANIZATION SUPERVISOR   A formal letter should be submitted to me midway through the internship.  The letter should confirm that you satisfactorily completed 80 hours of internship under his or her direct supervision.  The letter should also evaluate your performance relative to the goals/learning objectives set out in the internship contract.

 

            After the Internship:

 

1.      FINAL LETTER OF EVALUATION FROM ORGANIZATION SUPERVISOR.   A formal letter should be submitted to me at the end of the internship.  This letter should confirm that you satisfactorily completed 160 hours of internship under his or her direct supervision.  This letter should also mention the quality of the work completed relative to the objectives stated in the internship contract.

2.      FINAL REPORT (PORTFOLIO OF WORK PERFORMED).  You must submit a professional, concise document to the organization supervisor and to me at the end of the internship that describes the internship activities and responsibilities.   This report should communicate to a potential employer what skills you have developed during your internship.  Please see the MGMT 490 Portfolio Assignment for more information on this assignment (available on the course web site).

3.      GRADE FOR THE INTERNSHIP.    The grade received is based on [a] the weekly meetings with me, [b] the final portfolio, and [c] the two letters of evaluation submitted by the organization supervisor. 


 

Date____________

INTERNSHIP AGREEMENT

between

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT

WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

and

 

Name of Organization______________________________________________________

 

Address_________________________________________________________________

 

Internship Supervisor______________________________________________________

 

Title_________________________________            Telephone_____________________

 

Email________________________________            Fax___________________________

 

 

The organization agrees to accept as a student intern for  (Quarter/Year)____________:

 

Student Name ________________________ ____    ID#__________________________

 

Current Address__________________________________________________________

 

Telephone_________________________                  Email_________________________

 

 

Faculty Advisor:  Kristi Lewis Tyran                             Title: ___Associate Professor

 

Address: MS 9075, WWU, Bellingham, WA  98225  Telephone:_360-650-2078

 

Email :____kristi.tyran@wwu.edu_                               Fax: ___360-650-4844

 

Work Schedule

 

Start Date __________            End Date ___________           Hours/Week __________

 

 


 

Internship Contract (cont.)

 

Job Description

 

 

Please attach a typed job description.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Assistance provided to student (if any) ____________________________

 

Scheduled Meetings with Faculty Member ______________________________________

 

Scheduled Meetings with on-site Supervisor _____________________________________

 

Midterm Evaluation __________________  Final Evaluation _______________

            Letter                                                                          Letter

 

Due Date for Final Report_________________________________________________

 

 

Signatures:

 

_______          _________________________________

  (date)                         (student intern)

 

_______          _________________________________

  (date)                         (organization supervisor)

 

_______          _________________________________

  (date)                         (faculty supervisor)

 

_______          _________________________________

  (date)                         (department chair)