6 Most In-Demand Internships in Business Administration

If you’re studying business administration, you’ll likely consider pursuing an internship either during your time as a student or upon graduation. It’s not just about getting your foot in the door of a particular field or company—it’s also about getting real-world experience that will help propel your career forward.
Internships are one of the best methods for gaining valuable skills and insight into how an organization operates and what it takes to succeed. But what are the internship types you can pursue that will lead to success? Let’s look at some of the most in-demand internships for business majors.

There are a wide variety of internships that align with business majors

There is a multitude of internship opportunities for business majors. The best place to start searching is with the companies you already know or would like to research as a potential landing spot upon graduating. If you’re looking for ways to bolster your resume, an internship is a great way to do so. Internships are also an excellent way for students and recent graduates to make connections that will help them land jobs after graduation or even before that time. 

Many students find internships beneficial because they offer hands-on work experience in fields related to their central area of study. In addition, they provide practical knowledge on how things work within an organization; this knowledge can come in handy when applying for full-time positions after graduation since not all organizations operate equally (and thus require different skill sets).

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1. Marketing internships

Marketing internships are focused on the marketing department. With this internship, you’ll learn how to analyze data, implement it, and create and execute a marketing strategy. For business administration majors, a marketing internship can provide a fantastic stepping stone into their careers. It can help teach them how to generate demand for a product or service and how to excite customers about that same product or service. That’s critical to the health of any business. 

You can expect to be trained in consumer behavior, market research techniques, digital marketing trends, and best practices as a marketing intern. 

2. Sales internships

Sales internships involve assisting a company’s sales department. Sales teams work directly with clients to help them find solutions to their problems. You’ll be responsible for facilitating the process from start to finish and ensuring that both parties are satisfied with the outcome.

You’ll have to be both a problem solver and a strong negotiator. The overall skillset required here is similar to what’s necessary for marketing or business development roles. However, there’s one added element: salespeople need to be able to close deals by leveraging their knowledge of products or services as well as customer needs (and this may only sometimes align).

3. General business administration internships

Business administration internships are a great way to gain knowledge and apply skills in a business setting. Whether you’re an accounting major or an MBA student, internships can help you figure out if you like working in the industry and develop valuable skills that will help you get a job after graduation. Those internships also exist if business administration majors are looking for a more direct line into their chosen field.

Most of these internships involve working in offices, but they may also include working on marketing campaigns or other projects related to your field of study. These experiences suit students who want to learn more about what it’s like to work at a particular company before pursuing full-time employment there after graduation.

4. Accounting internships

If you’re looking to apply your business administration degree in finance, an accounting internship is a great option. Accounting is one of the most popular fields for college graduates because it offers excellent job prospects with competitive salaries and flexible schedules (many accountants work from home).

An accounting internship can expose you to many facets of this exciting career path, from auditing financial statements and preparing tax returns for clients with complex financial situations to analyzing how businesses expend resources so that these decisions continue generating profits for shareholders over time.

Tasks you may focus on as an accounting intern include: 

• The basics of bookkeeping and charting financial data
• How to prepare reports on financial transactions and business performance
• How to identify critical segments within a company that impact overall performance

Keep in mind that accounting is a specific skill set. That said, understanding some of the core concepts behind accounting basics can put you in a better position to operate a business successfully after you’ve established your career. 

5. Management training internships

Some companies offer leadership roles that prepare you for a career in managing a business. In this role, you’ll focus on developing leadership, project management, task tracking, and other skill sets associated with successful business management. Management training internships are designed to provide students with experience in various management aspects. 

Management roles can take more work to come by out of college. Receiving management training early will help you later in your career if you decide to pursue a leadership position. 

6. Human resources internships

Human resources internships are great for students who want to study how a company works from the inside. HR professionals are vital members of any organization, and their work often goes beyond just recruiting employees and providing benefits. They can also be responsible for training programs, payroll, and more.

An HR internship allows you to gain experience in human resources management. You can help with employee recruitment and retention by helping design recruitment strategies or conducting interviews, you can monitor employee satisfaction levels through surveys or focus groups, or you may learn about benefits by assisting with benefits packages or audits. These are valuable skills for a business administration major to master. 

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A variety of internship types can benefit business administration students

Business administration students might find many kinds of internships valuable as they launch their careers. Each internship has its unique set of benefits and challenges, so it’s essential for you to find the one that will provide you with the most value as you enter the workforce. Regardless of which type appeals most to your interests or skillset, remember that every opportunity can help you upskill and develop your career. 

The wealth of career fields available to you should be motivation enough to pursue a degree in business administration. You can attain this degree with University of the People while participating in a flexible online program. UoPeople offers small classes for dedicated study, robust career services, and we’re tuition free. For more on how you can level up your studies and career with UoPeople, apply now.