| The internship program consists of interns
from the School of Business at Portland State University, Portland
Community College's Sylvania, Rock Creek, and Cascade Campuses.
Students are placed with client businesses on an as-needed basis to
provide specific assistance to the client and practical experience for
the students. Frequently,
these targeted assignments are in
marketing, finance, accounting, and general management. Most
internships involve research and recommendations to the client as well
as hands on experience of assisting and sometimes leading the
implementation of recommendations. Interns work in a diverse team
framework
consisting of the business owner, a management counselor from the BOP,
firm employees, and sometimes other students. Portland State University: Interns from Portland State University will be accepted as "for credit only" interns, and interns with federal work/study will be paid. The Business Outreach Program Director is certified to assign credits to interns for work performed at the rate of 40 hours per credit. These credits can either be assigned as internship or practicum credits. As of fall term, 2004-2005 school year, the internship credits will be assigned a pass or no pass grade. Practicum credits may be assigned a pass, no pass, or A-F grade based on negotiation between the BOP and the intern. A By Arrangement Request form is required to be completed at the end of each internship and signed by the BOP director in order for the intern to receive credits. All costs associated with receiving credits in this program are the sole responsibility of the student. Portland Community College: Interns from PCC come from one of four campuses and consist of business and accounting students. PCC has several programs that require students to complete 3 credit hours of internship in order to receive their certificate or degree. Each student must complete 30 hours of work for each credit hour assigned. We have formal, signed partnerships from two of the four campuses to supply internship positions for their students. The other two campuses have formed a verbal commitment to work with us to place their students in BOP client firms. All costs associated with receiving credits in this program are the sole responsibility of the student. The Southeast Center specializes in new career training in accounting/bookkeeping and this is where the majority of bookkeeping placement is anticipated to come from. Open Meadow Alternative High School: Interns from Open Meadow are at risk youth who will be placed in a job shadow position as capacity allows with BOP clients. We have a commitment to place 4 students per year in client firms. Interns from Open Meadow are not receiving credit nor are they being paid. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Placement Prior to being placed in a work environment with clients, each intern will job shadow with a management counselor for a minimum of three client meetings to get a feel for the work that the BOP does and how that work is completed. Interns will be placed based upon need from clients and a desire from the intern to work on a particular business area. A meeting with the client, assigned BOP staff member and the intern will take place in order to make the necessary introductions and discuss the work to be completed with all parties. Once the initial meeting with the client, assigned BOP staff member and the intern takes place, the intern will develop a letter of engagement for the project. This letter will be reviewed by the BOP staff member; then reviewed by the intern and client; then signed by the intern, client, and BOP staff member. This letter will be part of the project report. Meetings Clients: Once assigned, the interns will meet with the clients individually, either at the place of business, the NE office of the BOP, or other location determined by the client and intern. These meetings will take place, at a minimum, weekly or as needed. It is assumed that the intern will be placed with companies that are in need of in-depth assistance in at least one area and therefore the meetings will be frequent until the specific project is completed. Interns may be assigned to more than one client depending on the workload of each project. BOP Staff: Bi-weekly meetings with an assigned BOP staff member will be required to ensure that the project stays on track and for mentoring purposes. BOP staff will also be available to meet with the intern and client if desired or needed to assist in creating a positive outcome for all parties. Reporting Requirements Weekly: Weekly updates including: time spent on project; detailed description of activities; issues that may have arisen; and learning summaries (what have you learned by working with the client this week) are required. These updates are required to be emailed to the assigned BOP staff member and cc’d to the office manager for record keeping. The office manager’s email address is BOP@sba.pdx.edu. End of Project: Project reports will be required detailing the activities of the project and inclusive of all work completed on each project. As examples, this may include marketing plans, surveys and results of the surveys, business plans, financial plans, preparation for loans and loan results and terms, and bookkeeping summaries. Each intern will write an “Executive Summary”, a one-page document, similar to an executive summary of a business plan that outlines the intern’s summary of activities with each project. The summary should be placed in the beginning of the project report, just like in a business plan. The report is due upon completion of the project. |
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Core
Sponsors City
of Portland, Bureau of Housing and Community Development Program Sponsors Davis
Wright Tremaine Annual Luncheon Sponsors U.S.
Bank
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