MBA/MScIM Program Intern’s Guide to the Internship

2019

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE

VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY ♦ 900 FIFTH STREET ♦ NANAIMO BC V9R 43M2

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Contents MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT 580/582 INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................................................................................................. 3

INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIPS .......................................................................................................................................................... 4

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5

THE FOUR PILLARS OF AN INTERNSHIP ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 LEARNING OUTCOMES ................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 RECOMMENDATIONS TO SECURE A SUCCESSFUL INTERNSHIP ............................................................................................................................... 6 INTERNSHIP APPLICATION AND HIRING PROCESS FOR POSTED INTERNSHIPS ........................................................................................................... 6

DEFINITION OF TERMS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8

GRADES ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10

DELIVERABLES ................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

MBA WORK TERM RECORD INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................... 11

MBA INTERNSHIP EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................................................................................. 13

BEGINNING OF THE INTERNSHIP ................................................................................................................................................................... 13 DURING THE INTERNSHIP ........................................................................................................................................................................... 14 END OF THE INTERNSHIP............................................................................................................................................................................. 15

MBA Final Employer Evaluation Feedback Questions ..................................................................................................................... 15

INTERN REFLECTION FORMS AND FINAL PROJECT INFORMATION ................................................................................................... 16

Addendum A – Reflection #1 ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 Addendum B – Personal Reflection #2 ............................................................................................................................................ 18 Addendum C – Final Internship Project ........................................................................................................................................... 19

ENTREPRENEURSHIP........................................................................................................................................................................ 20

Business Plan Guide ......................................................................................................................................................................... 20

JOB SEARCH SAFETY ADVICE ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

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Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Science in International Management 580/582 Internship Requirements

In order for you to successfully complete and receive passing credit for your Internship the following requirements must be fully met.

1. Attend at least one (1) meeting with an Internship coordinator within the first two (2) months of the first semester.

2. Full attendance is required for the completion of the MBA 578 and 579 Internship courses. Students must complete all 578 and 579 course requirements before they will be allowed to start their MBA 580/582 internship portion of the program. Unexcused absences could result in ineligibility for internship.

3. International Interns doing an internship in Canada must have an Internship Work Permit in hand prior to commencing an Internship. Interns considering Internships in countries other than Canada are responsible to research and secure appropriate work permits. Please go to the main reception in building 255 (International Education) for more information regarding work permits.

4. Collaboratively complete your work term record with your Internship Mentor and your Internship coordinator. It is mandatory that you submit a completed work term record prior to starting your Internship. Work term records cannot be back dated.

5. Your Internship does not begin until your work term record has been approved by your internship coordinator and your work term record submission process is deemed complete. MBA Internship Coordinators reserve the right to change submitted start and end dates of the internship at their discretion.

6. Submit Personal Reflection #1 on VIU Learn (Addendum A).

7. Complete a midpoint site visit with your Internship Coordinator at approximately week 8 of your Internship. Students are responsible for arranging the midpoint site visit.

8. Following the midpoint site visit submit Personal Reflection #2 (Addendum B) on VIU Learn.

9. Upon completion of your Internship submit your final internship project (Addendum C).

10. Ensure that your mentor completes all required Employer Responsibilities in the CareerVIU system.

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International Internships If you are planning to complete your internship outside of Canada, please pay attention to the following requirements. Interns will not be allowed to complete an international internship without meeting all of the below in addition to the WTR process that all interns complete:

• Declare Early - students who are planning on completing their internship outside of Canada must meet with their MBA Internship Coordinator to declare their intention one semester prior to their internship semester (minimum 60 days).

• Company website and email address - the company must have a valid website and email addresses that match the domain name

• Mentor Support Letter - your mentor must write you a support letter on company letterhead which you will upload to the Work Term Record

• Executive Contact - you must provide the contact information for an executive in the company (not your mentor) whom your internship coordinator will contact to verify the placement and mentor's employment and contact details with the organization

• Early Work Term Record Approval - you must complete your Work Term Record with all required documents and information and have it approved by your internship coordinator BEFORE you leave Canada

• Insurance - you must purchase insurance from the VIU insurance partner Guard.me for the duration of your internship period through VIU's partner provider and upload a copy of your policy confirmation in the "Insurance Documentation" field at the bottom of the Work Tern Record.

• Personal Safety Plan - you must upload a completed Personal Safety Plan document in the Personal Safety plan upload area of the work term record.

• Pre-departure Assessment Questionnaire - you must upload a completed Pre-departure Assessment Questionnaire in the Pre-departure Assessment Questionnaire upload area of the work term record.

Personal Safety Plan and Pre-departure Assessment Questionnaires are available for download on the "MBA Internship Student Resource" page.

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Internship Overview The Internship takes place during the final semester of the MBA/MScIM program and is primarily an opportunity for students to apply MBA program learning in a professional business/organizational setting. It could take the form of a special project, a job/role or an *entrepreneurial venture (*see additional details under definitions). The internship must meet all of the following criteria:

• Internship takes place in a professional business environment and has a designated mentor who agrees to fully participate in the internship process including signing the Internship Placement Agreement, registering in CareerVIU, reviewing the work term record and completion of the E Check-In, meeting with the student and Internship coordinator for a mid-point visit and completion of the online Employer Final Evaluation;

• Internship offers full time work (35 hours/week) for 16 weeks; • Internship offers tasks which allow students to directly apply their learning from the MBA program (aligning to a minimum of 6

courses/program learning outcomes).

Certain types of opportunities in the labour market are not considered as viable internship options, including: direct sales; retail sales/customer service and non-management level positions.

You must successfully complete the MBA 578 and 579 Internship Preparation courses and complete the GBS Office online Internship Pre-Qualification form. An approved form stating that you can proceed with your internship in order to participate in this component will be emailed to you and the MBA Internship Program office. This is intended to be an experiential and practical opportunity in which you are the primary leader in securing, maintaining and successfully completing the Internship. The Internship program is supervised and evaluated by an MBA Internship coordinator through the Vancouver Island University Centre for Experiential Learning.

The Four Pillars of an Internship I. Connection to an organization

II. Application of MBA Program learning III. Career Development IV. Defined mentor and accountability

Learning Outcomes Gain practical experience in an employment situation

Apply business concepts and theories to real-world decision-making

Increase proficiency in specific business disciplines; such as human resources management, operations management, marketing, accounting, economics and finance

Develop and improve business skills in communication, technology, quantitative reasoning, and teamwork

Observe and participate in business operations and decision-making

Develop positive working relationships with employers, the community and the university

Meet professional role models and potential mentors who can provide guidance, feedback, and support

Respond to professional feedback in a workplace setting

Expand network of professional relationships and contacts

Apply and evaluate leadership abilities

Develop a solid work ethic and professional demeanor, as well as a commitment to ethical conduct and social responsibility

Assess abilities and interests within a professional environment

Enhance career development, job-search and employability skills

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Recommendations to secure a Successful Internship Read and become knowledgeable with the content of the entire Intern’s Guide to the Internship

Take time during the first semester to think about where you would potentially like to do your Internship assignment. Try to be specific about the type of job and even the employer(s)

It is recommended that you research internship placements over the next several months. Set yourself a goal of multiple applications over the semesters. This will help prepare you for the real job search that faces you upon graduation. Remember: “You drive the bus and your Internship coordinator serves as your GPS.”

Review the Internship application and hiring process

Should there be any challenges in your internship please contact your Coordinator immediately.

Internship Application and Hiring Process for Posted Internships 1. Internship opportunities are posted through VIU’s web portal, CareerVIU: career.viu.ca. Apply to the posting found

in CareerVIU by following the employer’s directions for applying and by submitting the requested documents. This usually includes but is not limited to:

i. Targeted cover letter ii. Targeted resume

Please note that MBA internship opportunities posted by external employers have been reviewed and confirmed to the best of our ability; however, VIU is not responsible for the accuracy, authenticity or reliability of the content. Please ensure you

follow our provided “Job Search Safety Advice” when seeking and applying for positions.

2. The Internship Mentor will contact you directly to arrange the interview details. There will be a scheduled period of time and deadline date for interviewing. The Internship Mentor conducts the interview which may include:

i. Internship details such as activities and/or project ii. Location iii. Start date iv. Completion date

3. During the interview you should communicate clearly that you are seeking an internship position and that internship hosts are required to complete the following:

• Register as an MBA Internship host in CareerVIU if not already registered • Review the intern’s Work Term Record and complete an electronic check-in record (E Check-In) • Meet with an MBA Internship Coordinator for mid-term visits • Complete the online Employer Final Evaluation

Detailed information regarding employer (mentor) responsibilities can be found on page 11

You should also communicate any details regarding other internship interviews and possible opportunities (ideally you would use professional and common courtesy to inform internship mentors about other internships you are pursuing).

4. If you are the successful internship candidate, the internship mentor will offer you the internship with a clear commitment date.

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5. Once an internship has been offered and accepted, you are entered into a binding agreement until you have completed your 16 weeks. Once you have accepted an internship position you should not apply for or interview for other internships. As a professional courtesy you should inform other internship hosts you may have applied with of your decision. You are expected to honour your commitment to the first internship mentor.

6. You and the mentor will work together to complete the VIU Internship Placement Agreement and your work term record. You will lead this process in collaboration with the mentor and the internship coordinator if required.

7. If you have not secured an internship within the Internship and ABP Timelines specified by the GBS Office as shown on the GBS Current Students page, additional fees may apply.

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Definition of Terms Applied Business Project

The Applied Business Project is a substantial research-based project that provides the intern with the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge and skills through the investigation and analysis of a complex business problem or management issue. Typically the ABP originates from the internship’s scope of work and has faculty oversight. For more information regarding the ABP please see the Graduate Business Studies office.

Applied Business Project Supervisor A Vancouver Island University MBA faculty member, who having considerable expertise in the intern’s chosen internship project/experience, has agreed to provide guidance and counsel on an ongoing basis for the duration of the Applied Business Project.

Exceptions Committee The Exceptions Committee comprises MBA Coordinators and the GBS Director and exists to adjudicate any Work Term Record that does not meet the four pillars or any other requirement of an internship as defined by an MBA Coordinator. Any work term record can be brought before the committee at the discretion of the MBA Internship coordinator.

Final Internship Project The final work term project is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their integration of learning from academic courses and from their field experience. Students describe how their academic learning applies to their experience in the field and document their conclusions with evidence. See Addendum C for a detailed description of the project.

Intern An MBA/MScIM student completing an internship.

International internship option: An international internship is defined as any internship taking place outside of Canada. An internship in a new country can be a great learning experience, but it may present additional risks. For international students considering an internship in their home country, you must meet with your Internship Coordinator to declare your intention to do so before you leave Canada.

MBA students wishing to move forward with an international internship must meet all requirements as outlined in this guide in the “International Internships” section and/or present to the Exceptions Committee as determined by the MBA Internship Coordinator.

Internship The internship is intended to enable students to gain practical experience in a professional business setting. Internships must apply MBA program learning and must meet all requirements as outlined in this intern’s guide. The internship could be secured employment that meets the above requirements and must be approved by your internship coordinator.

*Entrepreneurship: The Intern, under the guidance of a mentor(s), plans, develops and possibly establishes a business. The mentor should be knowledgeable in the chosen project area and/or in the process of new enterprise development. Planning and developing your own business in a particular community would be an example of this type of project. Interns are to ensure such a business is within the legal parameters as set forth by the municipality, province, and country. Entrepreneurial interns are expected to secure a professional workspace as a base for activity for the duration of the internship. This could be a co-working space, incubator / accelerator, research space at a University, etc.

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MBA students wishing to do an entrepreneurship must present to the Exceptions Committee and include the following:

• A completed work term record • A business plan that meets the guidelines of the Entrepreneurship Business Plan Guide • A letter of support from the internship mentor • A detailed timeline showing the planned activities for the 16 week internship period

Internship coordinator The internship coordinator instructs the MBA 578, 579 and 580/582 internship courses and is responsible for supporting, monitoring and evaluating the internship experience. The internship coordinator also serves as the liaison between the intern, mentor and University. Should there be any challenges in your internship please contact your coordinator.

Internship Pre-qualification form All MBA students must complete an online GBS Office Internship Pre-Qualification form. This form will be reviewed by the GBS Office to determine if the student has completed all program requirements to proceed with an internship. This form, as well as dates and timelines for submission, can be found at: MBA Program Current Students

Internship Confirmation form Following approval of a submitted Work Term Record, all MBA students must complete an online GBS Office Internship Confirmation form. This form will be used by the GBS Office to record official internship start and end dates and forwarded to registration so the student can be registered in an internship course. This form, as well as dates and timelines for submission, can be found at: MBA Program Current Students

Mentor A person, who through their experience and expertise, supports and guides the Intern and to whom the Intern is accountable throughout the internship. The mentor may assign other appropriate professionals or staff to assist the intern if and when required. An appropriate mentor is agreed to by all parties and must complete all Employer Responsibilities as outlined in this guide.

Organization/Business This is the internship hosting organization/business or employer. Location of internship must take place in a professional business environment with a designated work space for the intern for the duration of the internship.

Vancouver Island University Internship Placement Agreement The Vancouver Island University Internship Placement Agreement is available for download on the MBA Internship Program Student Resource page. This form outlines the limits of liability and responsibilities for all parties involved in the internship. This form must be completed by the student and the mentor manually and uploaded to the student’s work term record.

Work Term Record This is an online document completed and submitted via CareerVIU that clearly and precisely outlines all expectations and deliverables agreed to by the intern, mentor and internship coordinator. This process is led by the Intern in collaboration with the mentor and the internship coordinator. Any changes and/or additions to this agreement by either the mentor or intern must be submitted as addendums to the agreement and signed by the intern, mentor and internship coordinator.

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Grades Grades are as follows:

Credit (CR) Fail (F) Incomplete (I) Continuing status (CS)

Deliverables The following are deliverables required to complete an Internship:

Work Term Record Internship Pre-Qualification form Internship Work Permit (if applicable) Employer Information Form (Mentor) Electronic Check-In Record (Mentor) Personal Reflections 1 & 2 Mid-point Assessment Online Final Evaluation (Mentor) Final Internship Project

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MBA Work Term Record Information Requirements All MBA Students are required to complete and submit a work term record via the CareerVIU MBA module. Instructions for completing your work term record in the CareerVIU system can be found on the MBA Internship Student Resource webpage or in your VIULearn course resource page. All required fields must be completed and all required forms must be submitted before your work term record will be reviewed by your internship coordinator. Internship does not officially begin until your work term record has been reviewed and approved by your internship coordinator and the work term record submission process is completed. Internship coordinators reserve the right to adjust start and end dates of the internship at their discretion. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the following please see your MBA internship coordinator.

You will be required to provide the following information while entering your work term record.

PLACEMENT INFORMATION

1. Business/organization name 2. Type of business: Private, Non-profit, Federal Government, Provincial Government 3. Your job title at this business 4. Supervisor / mentor first name 5. Supervisor / mentor last name 6. Supervisor / mentor job title 7. Address of business 8. Business phone number 9. Is this a home based business? 10. Company website address 11. Supervisor / mentor business email address (personal emails will not be accepted) 12. How did you find this internship opportunity?

LOCATION OF WORK

If the location of your internship work will be different than the business address above, please fill out the following information.

1. Work address 2. Work phone 3. Your work email

INTERNSHIP POSITION DATES AND SALARY

1. Position start date 2. Position end date 3. Proposed midterm evaluation date 4. Hours per week 5. Will you receive a salary or pay of any kind? 6. If you will receive salary/pay /stipend; at what rate? 7. Typically per week, how will the intern and mentor communicate 8. Typically per week, how often will the intern meet with the mentor?

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SCOPE OF INTERNSHIP ACTIVITY

A - INTERNSHIP:

1. Summarize in a paragraph the main goals and objectives for the 16 weeks of your Internship. This should include identification of the problem being faced by the client.

2. Create a monthly plan for the completion of deliverables, detailing your anticipated work schedule along with key milestones. Provide timelines to when drafts will be reviewed by your mentor and include what the final submission to the client will be.

3. Is this Marketing, Finance, HR, Management, Project or other type of position? 4. Document any studies, certification or training that you will need to complete. 5. Include a copy of the job posting or a comprehensive description of all duties and responsibilities that the

position may entail. C – ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPTION:

If you have chosen the entrepreneurship option you will need to work with your MBA Internship coordinator to prepare an entrepreneurship proposal using the provided sheets found at the end of this guide.

THE 4 PILLARS OF THE INTERNSHIP

Please address each of the following 4 pillars, which are integral to the success of the Internship.

I. Connection to an organization Describe the organization and other key stakeholders, such as clients and suppliers. Clearly identify where

your Internship activity will take place. II. Application of MBA Program learning Describe specific courses and/or tools and resources that you were introduced to in the MBA Program, and

how they apply to your proposed Internship. III. Career Development

Describe your learning objectives and how these relate to your career goals. How do you see this internship strategically adding to or building toward your career goals?

IV. Mentor and Accountability Describe who your Mentor is and provide a brief profile. How will you make yourself accountable to your Mentor? (For example; meetings, sharing drafts of work,

having discussions at key milestone points). *Please note that international students who will be completing an internship in Canada are required by law to obtain an Internship Work Permit from the CIC. You will need to upload a copy of your work permit to CareerVIU when you are entering your work term record.*

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MBA Internship Employer Responsibilities

Beginning of the internship MBA students will be required to provide the name of a designated internship mentor in their Work Term Record. To avoid complications or delays in completing the Work Term Record Submission process or the internship placement, we strongly recommend that students ensure that their mentors are apprised of the Work Term Record submission process and mentor responsibilities during the submission and internship process.

Employer (mentor) responsibilities are as follows:

1. All MBA Internship hosts are required to register in the CareerVIU system as a Partner in Learning. Partners in Learning who are not yet registered as an MBA Internship Provider in the CareerVIU system will be sent a notification email indicating that the student has named them as their internship host and requesting them to complete the online registration process. This email will be sent out as soon as the Work Term Record is submitted with an accepted mentor email address. The email will contain instructions on how to complete the registration process. A document outlining the Work Term Record submission process and mentor responsibilities during the process will be attached to the email. If your mentor already has an account in the CareerVIU system they will not receive this email.

3. Mentors must login and review the submitted Work Term Record and complete an electronic check in (E Check-In) record to complete the Work Term Record submission process Once the Work Term Record has been reviewed and approved by the student’s MBA Internship Coordinator, the mentor will receive an email notifying them that the record has been approved and is ready for review. If the Partner in Learning has not yet registered they will be sent another email asking them to register. This email will include instructions on how to complete the review and E Check-In process. The electronic check-in record will ask the mentor the following questions:

1. Are you a first-time MBA Internship Host? 2. Does your workspace comply with municipal and provincial safety standards as prescribed by and for the

city/province in which the work place operates? 3. Have you signed a Vancouver Island University Internship Placement Agreement for this internship placement? 4. Please confirm that you have reviewed the submitted Work Term Record and approve it for submission.

Please note that your mentor must complete all of the above requirements before your Work Term Record submission process will be considered completed. Time spent working on internship prior to completion of the Work Term Record submission process may not be counted towards program requirements. MBA Internship Coordinators reserve the right to change start and end dates at their discretion.

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During the Internship

Mid-Point Assessment

1. MBA Internship Mentors must make themselves available for a mid-point assessment meeting with the MBA Internship Coordinator. MBA Internship students and their mentors will be expected to meet with the MBA Internship Coordinator approximately half way through the internship. If the internship is in a location that does not permit the coordinator to visit in person the meeting will take place either via SKYPE or telephone. It is the intern’s responsibility to arrange for this meeting.

MBA Internship Coordinator may want to evaluate and/or discuss the following during the mid-point assessment:

1. Tasks

2. Communication

3. Team Fit

4. Highlights of performance and key abilities to date

5. Openness to feedback/follow-up required?

6. 3 strengths

7. Advice to improve performance & facilitate growth

8. What are the goals/deliverables for the next 8 weeks?

9. What could the student do to exceed your expectations?

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End of the internship

1. Mentors must complete the Employer Final Evaluation at or near the end of the Internship. Approximately two weeks prior to the end of the internship the mentor will receive an email requesting that they complete the online Employer Final Evaluation record. The email will contain a link to the record and the mentor can complete the evaluation without having to login to the CareerVIU system. Following completion of the form by the employer the student will be emailed and given a chance to review and add their own comments to the form. Questions in the Employer Evaluation form are as follows:

MBA Final Employer Evaluation Feedback Questions

The information found below are the areas of evaluation that the employer will be required to asses.

1. Interest in Work 2. Initiative 3. Organization and Planning 4. Ability to Learn 5. Quality of Work 6. Quantity of Work 7. Judgement 8. Dependability 9. How Well Does the Intern Get Along With Others? 10. Response to Supervision 11. Communication – Written Memos and Reports 12. Communication – Oral 13. Leadership Skills 14. Adaptation to Formal Organization, Rules and Policies 15. Attendance 16. Punctuality 17. Presentation 18. Overall Performance 19. Can you offer any comments on the Intern’s performance since we last spoke, or over the term

of the Internship? (Program Mission and Values) 20. What comments do you have in regard to their successfully meeting their commitment to the

Internship as per the Internship Proposal? Are you satisfied with the outcome of this Internship?

21. What contributions to your organization, if any, occurred because of this Internship? 22. Do you have any recommendations on how the student could improve their skills/knowledge in

order to be better prepared for a job in this industry?

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Intern Reflection Forms and Final Project Information

Forms and information found on the following pages are to be used as directed by your MBA Internship Coordinator to complete personal reflections and your final project.

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Addendum A – Reflection #1

MBA INTERNSHIP

Personal Reflection #1

Please submit through VIU LEARN

Successful Internships occur when they are organized as an activity that leads to particular learning outcomes. Reflect on your Internship using these key questions as a guide.

Two Reflection Assignments are due as well as a Final Reflection and Final Internship Project. The First Reflection Assignment is due at the conclusion of Week 4, the Second Reflection Assignment is due at the end of Week 12 and the Final Reflection and Final Internship Project is due at the end of the Internship.

Submit all Reflection Assignments on VIU Learn. Length should be 1-2 pages/300-600 words each.

Detail and specific examples from the Internship are required.

Please answer each question.

1. In what way are the tasks and activities that you are undertaking in the Internship PURPOSEFUL/CHALLENGING/ENGAGING? Please provide specific examples and details.

2. How is the Internship providing you with support and opportunities to interact in a meaningful way with your Mentor, colleagues, customers /clients? Please be specific with detail and examples.

3. How does the workplace culture and environment compare to the classroom or any previous places that you have worked? In what ways have you had to adapt or change your thinking, actions in response to these differences? How do you feel about this adjustment? What made it possible?

4. How often and how do you receive feedback from your Mentor/workplace peers? In what ways do you find this valuable? Please be specific and use examples.

5. Provide examples of how your classroom theory and knowledge have been put into practice, applied, integrated into the Internship. Give examples of the opportunities you have had to test and apply some of the things you have learned in your MBA classes.

6. In what ways has the Internship “fit” with your core interests and goals in terms of a future career path? What have you learned about yourself through this experience? Please provide specific details/ examples.

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Addendum B – Personal Reflection #2

MBA INTERNSHIP

Personal Reflection #2

Please submit through VIU LEARN

Successful Internships occur when they are organized as an activity that leads to particular learning outcomes. Reflect on your Internship using these key questions as a guide.

Two Reflection Assignments are due as well as a Final Project. The First Reflection Assignment is due at the conclusion of Week 4, the Second Reflection Assignment is due at the end of Week twelve and the Final Project is due at the end of the Internship.

Submit all Reflection Assignments on VIU Learn. Length should be 1-2 pages/300-600 words each.

Detail and specific examples from the Internship are required.

Please answer each question.

a. What new tasks, activities and learning have you experienced since the first reflection at week four of the internship? Discuss and provide examples of new skills, changes in attitude about the profession, information on the workplace environment, work-life balance insights and professional “fit” for you in this type of work etc. Be specific and give concrete examples.

b. Give an example of a situation where you incorporated feedback given by your Mentor, Internship coordinator or other stakeholders. What have the results been of following these suggestions? What did you learn? Please give detail/examples.

c. Explain any changes that you feel in terms of the workplace culture/professional environment? To what extent are you feeling more comfortable in the workplace setting? Elaborate using details/examples.

d. Give an example of a situation where your classroom learning was applied in the Internship. Was there a difference between “theory and practice”? Explain.

e. After twelve weeks, what new insights do you have into this as a potential career direction/choice?

f. What things do you need to accomplish in the next four weeks to make this Internship the best experience it can be? Be specific.

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Addendum C – Final Internship Project

MBA INTERNSHIP

Final Internship Project Submit through VIU LEARN

MBA Final Internship Project

Overview

MBA interns complete a major project as a capstone to their 16 week internship. It is evaluated by their Internship Coordinator and may also be used by the student as a final presentation to their internship mentor and/or other professional forums.

Format

The Internship Major project is a recorded presentation. Students may use either Prezi or PowerPoint with an accompanying voiceover of their oral presentation. The recommended format and length is 20 slides with 20 seconds of oration per slide, for a total of 8 minutes.

Objective

Students must connect the following components into their presentation:

• Introduction and context (introduce yourself and describe the context of your internship) • Achievement of personal goals, key learning and accomplishments • Professional communication (related to challenges, learning and growth in this dimension) • Application of MBA program learning • Career development (next steps and further plans) • Contribution to the organization (Value added / recommendations / comments for the organization)

Evaluation

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the major project:

• Content • Delivery • Quality of visuals / slides • Format • Creativity

Entrepreneurship

Business Plan Guide The following guidelines demonstrate the expectations of a business plan presented to the MBA Internship Exceptions Committee for approval of an entrepreneurship request. Please include all applicable sections of the guideline in your business plan.

FORMAT

Coversheet

Serves as a title page and is the first impression of the business proposal. The following elements need to be present:

• Company name

• Demographics (company address/ locality)

• Company logo (if available)

• Owners names and demographics

• Date of plan development

Executive Summary

The summary should include:

• Business value proposition

• Estimated market value of business/ capitalization

Mission/Vision statement

A concise and clear vision/mission of what this small business is about.

Description of business

An understanding of the environment in which your business will operate that will help the investor comprehend your value proposition in this setting. The main criterion is to determine whether the small business has captured a truly differentiated strategy and has communicated that clearly. This can be included in the marketing plan, but typically the marketing plan is competitive centric, whereas the focus here is the benefit to the intended target customer. Understanding the perception of the consumer and why they should care about the product/service offered.

Marketing Plan

This is a key section that describes how you will achieve success and plan to achieve the previous section.

• Should include a description of the market to be affected (target market/ potential market/ competition) • Should include an analysis and plan of how products or services will be marketed/promoted, produced, performed, and/or sold • Should include information regarding what is needed to achieve the marketing/promotion plan and the anticipated results

Implementation

How will this business become operational? Sections of relevance will be the operations plan and the human resource plan. All small businesses must address how they will manage their value chain.

Manufacturing

For manufacturing businesses it will be important to understand how the product will be produced. Retail

Location and merchandizing layout are key elements for a retail operation to succeed. Services

Emphasis is on human capital as this is the critical resource for a service orientated business. Financial Documents

The financial section should include the following:

• Profit model of product/service • Financial statements (Pro Forma Income Statement/ Pro Forma Balance Sheet) • Start-up costs • Investment detail (what would the investor need to know) • Amount of loan request • Itemized list of expenditures from loan • Investor terms (i.e. repayment terms, equity share %, etc.) • Collateral • Key investment indicators (Break even, debt ratio, etc.)

Supporting Documentation

These items can be found in the appendix of the plan and help support the viability of the business presented.

• Curriculum vitae (of key resources) • Partnership agreements (if applicable) • Lease (if applicable)

Neatness/Professionalism

This is the overall impression of the document and every business plan should have the following qualities:

• Consistent formatting • Table of contents • Free of spelling and grammar errors • Referencing

Feasibility/ Ability to Implement

The business plan should qualify for approval if submitted to an investor or lending institution.

*Exceptions Committee: Interns intending to complete this type of Internship will be required to print and present their work term record (Internship Proposal) before the MBA Exceptions Committee for approval.

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Job Search Safety Advice The internet has made it easy to search and apply for jobs using a few mouse clicks and your keyboard; however, job seekers must also realize that this has made it almost as easy for scammers to take advantage of them.

Valid or legitimate Job sites will not ask for any banking or personal information or any kind of money deposits. Legitimate job sites always charge the employer for use, not from prospective employees.

Do not provide personal or sensitive information in your resume, for example:

1. Your social insurance number. 2. Your age, marital status, date of birth 3. Your driver's license number 4. Your health card number 5. Your banking or financial information, which includes credit card or bank account numbers and any Personal

Identification Numbers (PIN) or National Identity card Number.

Certain information may be shared with an employer, only after the hiring process has begun. If a job posting seems questionable, please think again before sending your application.

How to spot a potential scammer:

• High pay. No experience necessary; the employer promises high pay in a short time for little work; as well as claims about working conditions like the ability to "set your own hours," "be your own boss" or "work from home."

• The employer may ask for a “processing” fee for handling your application; professional employers do not charge fees to potential employees.

• Email-only communication; the employer hires without meeting the employee or requesting any signatures on official hiring documents.

• Management of monetary transactions; the employer states that they are “currently out of the country on business,” and proceed to ask the new hire to buy things for them promising reimbursement.

• Overly-simplified requirements and/or qualifications • Broken English, spelling mistakes and/or grammar errors • Requests for bank account, credit card information or your Social Security number • Repacking or reshipping items from your home

If you have been offered a job or internship that seems “too good to be true,” or are concerned about the communications and requests you have received from your employer, please speak with your MBA Coordinator.

If you think you are a victim of an employment scam, please contact your local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.