IGNITE!

Students

IGNITE! connects students to local companies, start-ups and non-profit organizations for paid, professional positions during the academic year. IGNITE! students work up to 20 hours a week for a minimum of $13 per hour with an IGNITE! company.

Employers

Through IGNITE!, DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation member companies, northern Illinois start-ups and/or non-profit organizations hire NIU College of Business students to assist with professional tasks and projects during the school year. Hiring organizations pay just a fraction of the student salary for part-time help. Organizations must submit a proposal and be selected to participate. Up to five organizations will be selected annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

General dates are referenced in the FAQ responses. Please see the Important Dates and Deadlines for current year information.

What is IGNITE!?

Through the NIU College of Business IGNITE! program, up to five DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation member companies, local start-ups and/or local non-profit organizations can easily hire NIU College of Business students to assist with professional tasks and projects during the school year. Hiring organizations pay just $2.50/hour for up to 36 weeks of part-time help from August 22, 2022 to May 12, 2023. Students will be paid $13 per hour. Of that, the NIU College of Business will subsidize $10.50 per hour.

How do we get involved?

Organizations must submit a position proposal online. Position proposals must include clear goals, defined professional responsibilities, projects and developmental opportunities, and general expectations. A College of Business committee will select five proposals to fund by the end of June.

What are the terms of the student employment?

The students will be hired as regular NIU student workers, thus subject to all criteria, policies, and guidelines set forth by the state, university, and federal government. These include:

  • Current student workers and Graduate Assistants are not eligible for this program.
  • The student is registered for a minimum of 6 credit hours.
  • The student meets the cumulative GPA requirements.
    • 2.0 or above for undergraduate, postgraduate and law students.
    • 3.0 or above for graduate student.
  • Student employees may generally work a maximum of 20 hours per week, while classes are in session. During vacation periods while the university is open, students may work up to 25 hours a week.
  • Student employees should be provided one 15-minute break period for every continuous four-hour work period. The 15-minute break period should be preceded and followed by work.

Students are eligible to work from August 23 to May 14.

The students will be paid a minimum of $11/hour.

Can we pay the student more?

Yes, the organization can supplement the student wage.  The additional wage will be added to the employer share of $2.50/hour.

How are students managed?

The organization is responsible for selecting, hiring, onboarding, training and day-to-day management of the IGNITE! student.

Students must submit timesheets to the NIU College of Business two times each month. This must be signed by their organizational supervisor.

Are students compensated for travel time or milage to the employer location?

Students begin logging hours when they arrive at their place of employment for the workday.  If the student travels to another location during the workday, that time can be included in hours worked.  NIU will not compensate students for travel (mileage, gas, etc.) to and from work or travel to other locations during the workday.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Events

Contact Us

NIU College of Business
Barsema Hall
740 Garden Road
DeKalb, IL 60115

Departmental Contacts

NIU College of Business AACSB Accredited

Higher Education in Diversity Award - 2021 Top Colleges for Diversity

P&Q Best Undergraduate Business Schools logo

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