University of Nebraska at Kearney
Student Internships - Impact on Industrial
Distribution Program Revisions University of Nebraska at Kearney
Dr. Stanley L. Lightner
Dr. Richard A. Meznarich
January 2006
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Introduction – ID Program
Established – 1991, NAIT Accredited 2002
Second largest ID program in country (~180)
Hybrid degree – Technical, Business, Sales
Program Focus & Objective – Technical Sales
90% - Outside Sales
10% - Inside Sales
10% - Branch Management, Procurement, Buyers, Operations
Electrical/Electronics, Building Supplies, MRO
Graduates Relocate Nationwide
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Coursework
Engineering Design Graphics
Industrial Products – Electrical / Electronic, Machine Tools, MRO
Electricity/ Electronics
Marketing / Accounting / Selling / Business Communications /
Effective Presentations
Industrial Management / Leadership in Business and Technology
Occupational Safety & Health
Manufacturer & Distributor Relationships
Industrial Distribution Branch Operations
Internship Program
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Internship Program
Twelve (12) credit hour internship required.
40 clock hours work for each credit hour (480 hours).
Student responsible to locate internship location.
Internship location requires departmental approval.
Internship Program Involves:
Student (Intern),
Internship Director,
ID Program Coordinator,
Employer
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Requirements for Internship
Application form and resume
Overall GPA 2.0, Department GPA 2.5 or above
Complete Industrial Management and/or Leadership in
Business and Technology
Junior standing (> 58 hours completed)
Attend Orientation Meetings
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Internship Experience Goals
Customer Service
Distributor Operations and / or Sales
Manufacturer sales, Marketing, or Operations functions
Product Management
Introduction to Business Procedures and Workflow
Product Training
Introduction to Administrative and Management Procedures
University of Nebraska at Kearney
SMART Guidelines
Internship Goals Must be SMART
S – Specific – Clearly Stated
M – Measurable – Appraise Success
A – Attainable - Realistic
R – Relevant – Applicable
T – Trackable – Assess progress
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Internship Benefits
Student - Transition from school to work
Employer – source of eager (known quantity)
new employees
University – networking, industry partnerships
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Student Responsibilities
Complete all University required documentation
Locate internship opportunity and apply for position
Develop internship training plan with employer
Complete daily journal (submit to Blackboard weekly)
Complete mid-term & final self evaluation
Complete Internship Summary Paper
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Employer Responsibilities
Commit to UNK internship agreement
Interview and select students
Develop Internship Training Plan together with student
Provide a “Mentor” – a single point of contact
Provide adequate supervision, guidance & training
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Employer Responsibilities
Provide a safe nondiscriminatory workplace
Host Internship Director for site visits
Provide daily oral evaluations to Intern as necessary
Provide written feedback (from mid-term and final
evaluations) to the Internship Director
University of Nebraska at Kearney
University Responsibilities
ID Program Coordinator & Academic Advisor
“Assist” in locating internship sites
Approve internship locations
Review & approve Intern’s Training Plan
Provide guidance and advice during internship
University of Nebraska at Kearney
University Responsibilities
Internship Director
Provide student orientation
“Assist” in locating internship sites
Work with the companies / supervisors, Site visits
Assess internship assignments, assign credit
Maintain internship records
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Intern Evaluation
Briefly list each objective from the training plan and rate your
performance. Keep in mind you may not have obtained the level
you desire at this point in your internship.
Outstanding (5), Good (4), Average (3), Fair (2), Unsatisfactory (1), No Experience (0)
1. ____________________________ 5
Comments
2. ____________________________ 5
Comments
3. ____________________________ 5
Comments
4. ____________________________ 5
Comments
5. ____________________________ 5
Comments
4 3 2 1 0
4 3 2 1 0
4 3 2 1 0
4 3 2 1 0
4 3 2 1 0
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Intern Evaluation
Performance Evaluation- Productivity
Volume of work
Quality of work
Steadiness
Knowledge of work
Interest in work
Attention to detail
Organizing efficiently
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Intern Evaluation
Performance Evaluation- Business Techniques
Meeting People
Oral communication
Working harmoniously
with others
Written communication
Telephone techniques
Relationship to
Supervisor
Following instructions
Accepting criticism
Listening
Relationship with
Co-workers
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Intern Evaluation
Performance Evaluation - Personal
Appearance/Dress
Cooperation
Initiative
Flexibility
Tact
Dependability
Accuracy
Leadership
Judgment
Motivation
Patience
Tolerance for stress
Creativity
Independence
Self-Confidence
Willingness to work
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Intern Final Reports
Provide background of the business
Review of training plan goals and objectives
Review of employer evaluations
Reflection on value of internship experience
Contributes to Internship Program and Industrial
Distribution Program assessment and improvement
University of Nebraska at Kearney
ID Program Improvements
Negotiation Skills
Presentation Skills
Telephone Skills – Sales Calls
Cold Calling - Prospecting
Time Management & Organization Skills
University of Nebraska at Kearney
ID Program Improvement
Hands on Products
Report Writing
Attitude Adjustments
Interest in Work (IDO)
Career Fairs
Dress and Presentation
University of Nebraska at Kearney
ID Program Improvements
In-Person Sales Calls
Dealing with Difficult People
Purchasing Classes
Sales Experience – Retail, Wholesale
IDO – Leadership….
University of Nebraska at Kearney
ID Program Improvements
Introductions – “Elevator Speeches”
Teamwork
Meeting New People
Dealing with the Public
Running a Business – Finance
Industry Partnerships - Scholarships
University of Nebraska at Kearney
ID Program Improvements
Leadership Skills
Psychology – Personality Types
Business Software (MS Office, Access)
CRM Software (ACT, GoldMine)
ERP Software (SAP, Profit 21, INforce)
Role Playing – Real Life
University of Nebraska at Kearney
ID Program Improvements
Customer Expectations
Attention to Detail
Meeting Requirements
Initiative
New Electrical / Electronics Equip
New Machining Equip – Rapid Prototyping Equip
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Conclusions
Valuable Tool for Program Improvement
Keep Abreast of Industry Trends / Requirements
Part of Overall Program Assessment Plan
NAIT Accreditation
Data Driven – not just Kitty Litter (POM)
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Recommendations
Assignments – Projects - Activities
Challenging, Meaningful – Student & Employer
Accomplished During Intern Period
Representative of Company’s Operations
Rotation through Various Positions
Provide Interaction with Full Time Employees
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Recommendations
Assignments - Projects - Activities
Profitability Studies
Sales Calls & Prospecting
Asset Management
Market Research & Analysis
Customer / Supplier Surveys
Advertising & Promotion
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Want to Learn More?
Dr. Stanley L. Lightner, CSIT
Dr. Richard A. Meznarich
Department of Industrial Technology
University of Nebraska at Kearney
308-865-8504
lightnersl@unk.edu
meznarichra@unk.edu
www.unkid.org