Internship Program
Penn State’s Finance & Business Division offers a professional internship program that allows individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply their academic degrees within one of the University’s numerous nonacademic units.
Program Outline
Internship Structure
Who’s Eligible
Benefits
How to Apply
Application
Program Outline
Designed for individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, these internships enable participants to gain an inside look at the finance and business operations of a large public institution. This six-month-long, performance-based program is designed to provide applicable work experience that correlates to particular academic and degree backgrounds. Interns work side by side with professionals, gaining increasing responsibility and career-building skills as they progress through the program. Upon completion of a successful internship, the individual may be offered a permanent position within one of the following Finance and Business units:
Auxiliary & Business Services provides event management, hospitality, student residence, and business services for the University community. Units include the Bryce Jordan Center; Hospitality Services; the Penn State id+ Office; Housing, Food Services, and Residence Life; the Multimedia & Print Center; Purchasing Services; Transportation Services; and the University Park Airport.
The Office of the Corporate Controller is responsible for receiving and disbursing all cash and maintaining appropriate accounting records for the University. Divisions include the Controller's Central Office, Bursar and Accounting Operations, Risk Management, Financial Information Systems, Financial Reporting, University Financial Officers, Payroll, Research Accounting, Property Inventory, and Facilities and Administrative Costs.
The University Budget Office facilitates the development and implementation of Penn State’s annual operating budget by assisting the President and the Budget Task Force in developing, implementing, monitoring, and controlling the University's annual operating and capital budgets; provides information for the University’s internal planning and budgeting processes and external reporting requirements; and develops and maintains the appropriate systems to support these activities.
The Penn State Office of Internal Audit is committed to performing value-added, risk-based audits, designed to independently review, test, and evaluate the financial, electronic, and operational controls throughout the University.
The office assesses business risks facing leaders at Penn State. It assures compliance with policies, procedures, regulations and safeguarding, laws, and the use of University assets. It also evaluates accuracy, reliability, and integrity of University records and reports. Suspected fraud, waste, and abuse is monitored.
The Office of Investment Management is responsible for all of the University's investment programs, cash management, and banking relationships. Divisions include Planning and Control, Finance, Investment Administration, and the University Investment Committee.
The Office of Human Resources supports and enhances the University's vision to be one of the nation's preeminent public universities and is responsible for providing expert advice and counsel to colleges, departments, faculty, and staff, and for strengthening positive efforts to attract and retain quality diverse faculty and staff. Units include Employee Benefits and Records, Employee Relations, Employment and Compensation, Health Matters, the Human Resource Development Center, Information Systems and Records, International Scholars and Faculty Visa Services, Workers’ Compensation, Management Engineering, Information Systems, Occupational Medicine, and Work/Life Programs.
The Office of Physical Plant is responsible for the stewardship of the University’s physical assets. OPP oversees the daily operations and maintenance of the buildings and infrastructure on the University Park campus; administers real estate; and oversees the planning, design, and construction of capital facilities for the entire University.
OPP’s seven major divisions include Administrative and Financial Services, Design and Construction, Facilities Resources and Planning, Commonwealth Services, Operations, Environmental Health and Safety, and Campus Planning and Design.
University Police is responsible for protecting students, faculty, staff, and property by maintaining order and enforcing both the laws of the Commonwealth and University regulations.
Internship Structure
Throughout the course of the internship, the supervisor meets regularly with the intern to ensure clarity of job responsibilities, to promote and create professional development opportunities, and to evaluate performance. Evaluations will be conducted at the three-month mark and upon completion of the program.
Programming and activities include, but are not limited to: establishing a mentor, becoming familiar with University officials, attending a department head staff meeting, being introduced to the University President, participating in unit-wide training and development, and participating in conferences and/or retreats. Interns are also exposed to community activities and resources, particularly those intended for members of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Who’s Eligible
Individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds who are seniors in college or who have recently graduated from an institution of higher education.
Benefits
- $2,000 monthly salary
- Healthcare, dental, and vision plan
- Round-trip airfare (if applicable)
- Moving expenses
- Housing (if needed)
- Meal plan
- Academic discount on computer purchases
- Complimentary Parking
How to Apply
In order to be considered for the Finance and Business Diversity Internship Program at Penn State, the applicant should prepare a packet that includes:
- Application
- Current copy of résumé
- Cover letter stating the applicant’s particular interest in the program
- A list of professional references
Application packets should be submitted to:
The Pennsylvania State University
Office of Human Resources
Attn: Steve Hayes
526 James M. Elliott Building
University Park, PA 16802
Application
