Internship experiences help you narrow your interests and give you a competitive edge when you got apply for full-time jobs. You may even meet your next employer.

What is an internship?

• Internships are three-to-four-month opportunities that allow you to apply classroom knowledge from your Kelley major to solve real-world problems.
• You can complete fall, spring, and summer internships as early as freshman year.
• The more work experience you gain, the better. Completing at least one internship before graduation will prepare you for future interviews and give you a feel for the professional world.
  
  Start your internship search early. Log in to the Handshake job platform and make a career coaching appointment with a Kelley Indianapolis Career Services staff member.

Freshman students who are directly admitted to the Kelley School can begin earning real-world training as early as your first year on campus. (Learn how to become a Direct Admit at Kelley.) Through the Business Plus Program, selected Kelley Indianapolis Direct Admit students work for leading local companies through immersion experiences, internships, or full-time co-op opportunities throughout your undergraduate degree. Business Plus allows you to complete internships earlier in your college experience while alternating between semesters of classes on campus and paid work within a variety of positions and employers.

Through Business Plus, you will:

• Gain exposure to different industries and companies while earning a competitive wage.
• Apply what you’re learning in the classroom to further your education and your resume.
• Make connections with top employers.

During your first year as a direct admit, you’ll attend an event at Kelley Indianapolis to meet Business Plus partner companies and learn more about your career options. You’ll get the opportunity to interview with employers for first-year internships, with the possibility to rotate to an additional experience your sophomore year.

 Throughout your studies, your courses are timed specifically to prepare you for these on-the-job experiences. By completing your internships early, you’ll gain more experience than most of your peers once you reach junior and senior years. This makes you a more competitive candidate in the job and internship market.

As you meet more employers and learn more about the various career paths available to you, you may decide to pursue additional internships, full-time co-op arrangements, or other options. The Business Plus Program hands-on opportunities throughout your undergraduate studies, so you can apply your education in real time.

It may look like this:

Depending on your interests and the company’s needs, you may continue with the same employer in later years or move on to new opportunities.

If you're about to graduate and launch your job search, schedule an appointment with our outstanding staff at Kelley Indianapolis Career Services (KICS).

Direct Admit students who want to get an early start on putting your business degree to work and building your resume early can connect with us to learn more about Business Plus at Kelley Indianapolis. Reach out to Dillon to get started.