Professional internships benefit both students and employers. By offering real-world experience and the opportunity to explore different career paths, internships can be especially helpful to students who are unsure of what they want to do after graduation. Since employers increasingly rely on internships to build a talent pipeline for future hiring needs, internships also play a crucial role in helping students secure full-time jobs. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 85 percent of employers say internships are the most effective way to recruit entry-level hires.
Recognizing the need for ongoing career development, networking, and virtual communication, the Freed-Hardeman College of Business invested in the Launch Virtual Career Center in 2019. This space located on the second floor of the Brown-Kopel Business Center is ideal for virtual interviews requiring a quiet area with a professional office setting.
In 2021, the Freed-Hardeman College of Business leadership invested in Handshake, an online career management system that connects employers with our students—providing students with a platform to seek internships and entry-level positions.
For more information about Handshake or to connect with the Freed-Hardeman College of Business visit the Career Development Page.
In 2023, Launchpads Coworking Spaces on the third floor of Brown-Kopel Business Center were opened to meet a need for business majors participating in remote internships. This provides dedicated individual office spaces for several students each semester. These spaces are provided without a fee to business students and can be reserved for one session or a semester, giving virtual interns and student workers a place to conduct business professionally.
"Since I am doing an online internship, I need a place to work quietly without interruption. It's great to have a nice, secluded place with a professional setting to get my work done," says Will Rivers, FHU Finance Student and intern for Vector Wealth Strategies, LLC.
Internships are fundamental to many students' professional development and career readiness strategies. Alums and friends of the University have an incredible opportunity to help students maximize their potential by providing internships and participating in the Launch Career Center, including in-person career networking events like the Launch Career Expo in the Fall and Spring semesters.
The Freed-Hardeman College of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for the MBA and BBA in Accounting, Analytics, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Sport Administration. Accrediting over 300 institutions, ACBSP is the leading specialized accreditation association for business education.