Career and Corporate Services

Welcome to the Office of Career and Corporate Services located in 114 Business Building. We are here to help jump-start your future. Stop by to determine your career path through an internship, get your resume reviewed, and develop skills to help you succeed.

It takes more than a degree and a decent grade point average to succeed in today’s job market. Consider the following:

• Employers consistently list internships and co-ops as the best source of new full-time employees.
• Employers look to hire from their internship pool before opening full-time jobs to outside candidates.
• Employers convert 68% of their interns into full-time hires.
• Students on internships/co-ops have the opportunity to develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Students earn credit to stay fully enrolled and maintain health insurance without paying full tuition.
• Smeal students can earn competitive starting salaries, an average $690/wk or more, depending on their experience, field, and educational level, to help offset college expenses!

Summer-only internships can be fiercely competitive. The number of students applying for internships triples for these positions meaning that employers can afford to be more selective. Students who are selected for summer opportunities possess a winning combination of outstanding grades, involvement in student organizations, and appropriate experience.

Many companies also offer an eight-month co-op that encompasses one full semester (either spring or fall) as well as a summer. The co-op experience has served our students well, even though for some it means delaying graduation for one semester to reap the benefits of the program. Recruiters report to us that students who have completed internships or co-ops regularly outperform non-interns in interviews.

Our office enrolls students on fall and spring internships and co-ops in a one-credit course that serves the administrative purpose of maintaining full-time student status. This credit is required and prevents the student from having to file for a leave of absence. You will pay for only one credit, and will retain all the benefits of a continuously enrolled residential student. This includes eligibility for medical insurance, football tickets, dorm contracts and, in some cases, financial aid.