Internship Guidelines
The NIU Accountancy Academic Internship Program
Basic Requirements of an Academic Internship
11 weeks of full-time Accounting work, such as external audit, internal audit, tax preparation, cost management, general accounting and Accounting Information System analysis and design. The internships are offered for the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Academic Internships are taken for three credit hours. Interns are compensated by the employer.
Timing
- Spring internships generally occur January 6 - March 20
- Summer internships generally occur mid-May through mid-August
- Fall internship (yes, we have these!) occur late August - late November
No employment obligation by firm or interns: The firms are not obligated to the intern beyond the term of the internship nor is the intern obligated to the firm subsequent to the period of internship except as noted below regarding spring interns. Employment offers may be made to the intern at or near the completion of the internship.
Responsibilities of participating firm: Each firm is expected to provide each intern with a meaningful experience (this means a minimum of unassigned time) and proper supervision for a minimum of 11 weeks. Summer interns are available for up to 15 weeks and most summer internships have lasted 13 weeks. Two reports evaluating the intern's performance are expected from the company; one at the middle and one at the conclusion of the internship.
Spring 2011 Academic Internship Program
Firms participating in NIU's Spring 2011 Internship Program are advised of the following:
- The firms agree to provide an 11-week meaningful work experience during the period January 4, 2011 through March 18, 2011.
- The internship offer is considered to be an offer of permanent employment only for those students graduating in their fifth year and achieving 150 credit hours in that Spring. Thus, the "year 4" students' internship is not considered to be an offer of permanent employment. Spring interns are not permitted to participate in the normal fall interview process in the Fall semester preceding their Spring internship. The firms agree they will not, during Fall interviewing, interview any students who have previously obtained a spring internship.
- The students have the option of taking university credit courses during April and May, thus a firm cannot mandate an internship beyond March 18, 2010. However, at the student's option, they may accept an offer of an extended internship.
