Internship provides practical experience
Campus Times
November 8, 1996
General Motors is offering students from the University of La Verne a chance
to gain hands-on business experience and develop skills through the GM Marketing
Internship program.
"GM provides $2,500 to create and run a promotion campaign for a dealership
in the area," said Janis Dietz, assistant professor of business administration.
According to Dietz, students involved in the program form their own marketing
agency. The client will be a GM car dealership in the surrounding area.
Students have to manage a $2,500 budget and create a comprehensive plan.
In Fall 1995, Romero Buick of Ontario participated in the program. The students
involved sponsored a float in the Upland Children's Parade.
According to GM, the skills students will develop include project management
from concept to completion; market research; advertising and public relations;
promotions and event production; public speaking and agency style presentation
skills; business writing and report generation; budget management; teamwork
and conflict resolution; and client relations.
At the end of the course, the students make a presentation of their work
and what they have done.
The internship is run as a four unit class offered during the spring semester.
"It's a business course, but it's available for all majors," said
Dietz.
According to Dietz, the class will be counted as an elective for those students
not majoring in business administration.
"We want 12 people who are strongly committed to this kind of activity.
It is available to any major, as long as they're excited about working on
this program," said Dietz.
According to Dietz, the students will benefit not only from the skills they
learn, but they will also get a letter of recommendation from
Dietz herself, as well as from GM.
Students interested in more information about the internships can contact
Dietz at ext. 4213.