Entrepreneurial Internship Program

Program Description The Entrepreneurial Internship program provides an opportunity for students to learn and experience entrepreneurship firsthand either in furthering their own entrepreneurial venture or in another startup, corporate or social venture. The program exposes students to entrepreneurs as well as acquaints them with the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Each intern works directly with the entrepreneur or senior executive in the company. Host companies provide projects and an environment that offer students’ experiential learning. Interns are expected to add value to the work environment and to provide useful deliverables for the company The internship is for a minimum of 260 hours, may be paid or unpaid, and is open to all students. Program Objectives The objectives of the internship program are to: 

  

Provide student interns with experiential learning in entrepreneurial work environments that could lead to employment opportunities for the interns or confidence to start their own companies; Help students incorporate principles learned in the entrepreneurship curriculum to an actual entrepreneurial venture; Provide students the opportunity to build a relationship with experienced entrepreneurs who will provide guidance and support for students’ entrepreneurial career; and Help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs for Greensboro and the Triad.

Eligibility 1.

Juniors and seniors of any major in good standing enrolled in NC A&T.

2.

Candidates must have a minimum of 2.5 GPA.

3.

Candidates must have completed the prerequisite courses for the internship course.

Internship Opportunities

The Entrepreneurial Internship Program offers for options for our students. Students may choose to intern in a startup, corporate or non-profit business setting. Startup Entrepreneurship Internship Program – Working on Your Own Venture This internship is for students interested in starting or building their own entrepreneurial ventures. The program encourages student ventures and provides the opportunity for students to develop valuable entrepreneurship skills working on their own ventures. To be eligible for this internship, the student entrepreneur must submit a work plan outlining what will be accomplished during the internship, e.g. prototypes, marketing plan, business plan, accessing capital, financial projections, etc. Students may apply as individuals or teams. Student Application

Startup Entrepreneurship Internship Program – Startup Company Through the internship program, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation matches companies with talented students who are interested in making a difference in the Greensboro and Triad business communities. The program is designed to support startups by providing interns that will complete an entrepreneurially focused project for the organization, e.g. market research, business plan, database development, accounting records, graphic design, etc. Student Application

Employer Application

Corporate Entrepreneurship Internship Program The Corporate Entrepreneurship Internship Program connects talented students with our corporate partners and other corporations throughout the United States. The program is designed to support corporate objectives as well as provide an educational experience for students.

Student Application

Employer Application

Social Entrepreneurship Internship Program The Social Entrepreneurship Internship Program matches students with social ventures (for profit or non-nonprofit). The program will be our interest to students who want to use their talent and entrepreneurial spirit to make a difference in the community. Some

possible projects are, program management, developing marketing/fund raising strategy, implementing new initiatives, etc. Student Application

Employer Application

Application and Selection Process Step 1 – CEI recruits companies to participate in the internship program. At the beginning of the semester, students will apply for an internship by submitting an application and resume to the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Step 2 – Students are matched with companies based on their interest and the project requirements. Students will contact the company to schedule an interview after which the company will select the ideal student for the internship. The center director and the company internship coordinator/company representative will serve as resource persons to the to the selected intern to provide additional support and guidance Step 3 – The intern and company representative are invited to an internship kick off/orientation meeting in which they will be briefed on the internship expectations and requirements. They will also learn about the internship deadlines, and will be provided with the paperwork required for the internship. Interns and company representatives will have the opportunity to network and confirm the scope of the internship and the deliverables. A wrap-up event may be held at the end of the semester for interns to present their project outcomes. Academic Credit Each student will register for the Entrepreneurial Internship Course (MGMT 499, 3 credit hours) at North Carolina A&T State University. A Pass/Fail grading scale will be used. (see course outline).

How to Apply Students must: 1.

Complete an internship application,

2.

Provide a professional resume,

3.

Attend an interview with internship director (if required),

4.

Demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing entrepreneurship, and

5.

Register for the Entrepreneurial Internship Course (MGMT 499). Entrepreneurial Internship Forms Course Description Intern Agreement Entrepreneur Agreement North Carolina A&T State University Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement

Internships through the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation may be paid or unpaid. Please review the different internship programs. If you are interested, submit your resume and application to Dr. Thaddeus McEwen, [email protected] or 336-285-3356.

Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Internship Entrepreneurial Internship Program Application Form

Personal Information: Name

Date

Mailing Address _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

City___________________ State _________ Zip Code_____________

Cell Phone

Academic Information:

Email

Major

GPA

Expected Graduation Date

Classification

Degree

Banner ID

Course Load this semester

Hours Available Per Week

Do you have your own transportation?

______Yes

_____ No

Interests and Experience: Do you currently own your own business?

______Yes

_____ No

Are you interested in starting your own business in the future? ______Yes

_____ No

If yes what type of business will you start? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

I prefer _____Paid Internship

_____Unpaid Internship

_____Either Paid or Unpaid

Interests and Experience continued: Preferred Starting Date?___________________ Preferred Ending Date?_______________ Are you a member of the Aggie Student Entrepreneurship Club?

_____Yes

_____No

What skills will you bring to the internship experience? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

Answer the following questions (use the blank page provided in this application):

1. Clearly describe/explain your interest in Entrepreneurship and in the Entrepreneurial Internship Program? 2. Explain your most compelling qualifications for this internship (sell yourself). 3. What type of company would you like to intern with? And why? List your second and third choices. 4. Attach a copy of your resume, which must include three references with one being an NC A&T faculty member. 5. Submit application form, page(s) with answers to the above questions, and resume stapled together.

Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Entrepreneurial Internship Program Intern Agreement

Intern Date:

Intern Major:

Email

Telephone

Entrepreneur/Company Telephone

Fax

Conditions of Agreement The intern will:

1. Attend internship orientation program prior to the beginning of the internship and debriefing meeting at the end of the internship. 2. Participate in the internship during xxxxxxx and complete 260 hours. 3. Practice regular attendance, punctuality, reliability, appropriate grooming and dress, and good work etiquette. 4. Participate in the activities that provide practical experience in Entrepreneurship e.g. attending meetings, participating in solving the day-to-day problems of the organization, and assisting with special projects under the direct supervision of the entrepreneur/manager. 5. Submit, at the request of the program coordinator, progress reports that include a discussion of the relationship between classroom work and practical experience. 6. Enroll in the Internship in Entrepreneurship course during the xxxxx semester 2014 to receive academic credit for the internship experience. 7. Prepare a final report at the end of the internship experience. I understand and will comply with all the terms and conditions of the Entrepreneurial Internship Program, which is being executed by the School of Business and Economics at North Carolina A&T State University. I understand that failure to successfully complete all 260 hours and all assignments for the internship course will result in a failing grade.

I agree to comply with all the policies and procedures of the internship program.

I agree to meet with my internship company to prepare internship goals, job descriptions, and deliverables and to submit them to the internship coordinator prior to the beginning of the internship.

I understand that if I discontinue the internship or I am terminated from the internship, I will be responsible to identify another company that is approved by the internship coordinator or I will receive a failing grade.

Intern:

Date:

Program Director:

Date:

Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Entrepreneurial Internship Program Entrepreneur Agreement

Entrepreneur’s Name

Date

Name of Business

Telephone/Fax

Business Address ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

Conditions of Agreement

The Entrepreneur will: 1. Provide an internship experience which gives the student a comprehensive understanding about entrepreneurship, e.g. involve the intern in meetings and other decision making activities; involve intern in innovative projects, provide opportunity for student to develop and implement a plan for a new a product or service under your supervision (intern will start on and will complete 260 hours). 2. Keep a log/record of the intern’s hours. 3. Serve as a mentor, guiding and coaching the intern about entrepreneurship as a career. 4. Provide an orientation session to advise the intern about appropriate behavior, policies and procedures of the business.

5. Hold meetings with intern to review progress, answer questions, suggest areas of improvement and provide general support and encouragement. 6. Complete a brief evaluation of the intern’s performance at the end of the internship. I understand and will comply with the terms of the Entrepreneurial Internship Program, which is being offered by the School of Business and Economics at North Carolina A&T State University.

Entrepreneur Manager

Date

Internship Program Director

Date