Undergraduate Students

The Shidler College of Business, Office of Internships & Career Development has a complete set of professional development programs and tools available to students and professionals.

Internships

One of the recurring themes in any entry level job search is the lack of experience factor. "Where do I get experience if no one is willing to hire me?" The answer is simple: Get an internship!

Internships offer the chance to learn by doing in a setting where students are supervised by a work-place professional, and have the opportunity to achieve their learning goals, without the responsibilities of being a permanent employee. Internships bridge academics and the professional world. Students gain valuable hands-on experience and learn more about their career choice, while making important contributions to a business or organization.

Internships are a perfect setting to practicing communication, teamwork, and networking skills; students gain confidence in their abilities; and develop new skills and knowledge. Plus, internships are a great way to clarify a student’s chosen career path.

The Shidler College of Business places between 180 and 220 students in internships every semester. Interns work from ten to twenty hours per week (for a minimum of 150 hours). Students earn three academic credits for each internship taken, and can take multiple internship classes throughout their time at Shidler. Internships may be either paid or unpaid. Many internships are seen as an extended job interview with 1/3 of our students being offered full-time positions as a result.

Career Development

We assist students in developing the skills necessary for finding suitable full-time employment upon graduation. Offering an extensive on-campus interview program, fall and spring career fairs and professional skills workshops, our office is dedicated to assisting our students in their career growth and development and to helping employers identify and select highly qualified candidates.

We provide a broad range of services to enhance our students' employment marketability. From career search and information sources to skills development workshops, we seek to educate, train and advise our students to ensure successful preparation for entry in the job market, and assist students in making the right career decisions. We work hard to create, maintain, and strengthen business and alumni connections to create a link between recruiters and students, in order to maximize the potential for successful internship and permanent career placement.

The “Business of the Week” program is offered throughout the school year in which businesses are invited to hold presentations, interviews, and workshops, increasing the opportunities for employers and students to network.

Contact

Internships
Richard Varley
Director of Internships & Career Development
(808)956-6972
rvarley@hawaii.edu

Career Services
Patrick Stuart
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Career Development
(808)956-9330
jpstuart@hawaii.edu