"My internship at the Memphis Shelby County Office of Economic Development was one of the most exciting experiences of my life! Somewhere between presenting to the Memphis City Council and attending luncheons with mayors and business leaders I realized I had not done anything typical of a freshman intern. My first week involved creating a fee schedule for the Foreign Trade Zone Program which would generate thousands in revenue for the city. The most important aspect in my opinion was the networking; I met three mayors and two Fortune 500 CEOs as well as many other politicians and business leaders across the country. The relationships I created and the skills I perfected will go a long way in my professional career. I would definitely encourage anyone with an interest in learning new things and meeting new people in high-paced work environments to apply."

—Mahmood Usmani

News and Events

2009 Career & Internship Expo

The 2009 Career & Internship Expo is scheduled for September 23, 2009 (10 AM – 3 PM) in the University of Memphis Holiday Inn Ballroom. The Expo provides an opportunity to network with a variety of employers seeking to fill full time, part time and internship opportunities. The fair is free to all students and alumni. No preregistration is required. Bring your resume and your portfolio. Professional dress is required. In order to view a full listing of registered employers for the Career & Internship Expo, log into your eRecruiting account. Select the 2009 Career and Internship Expo link. For more information phone 901-678-2239 or stop by 400 Wilder Tower.

Fall 2009 Lunch & Learn Series – Wednesdays at 12:30 in 400 Wilder Tower

September 9, 2009 - Resumes That Work: How to Write an Effective Resume
Arian Williams, Target

September 30, 2009 - The Importance of Networking and Making Connections
Emily Veteto and George Moore, Chartwel Financial

October 14, 2009 - Using Technology to Your Advantage in the Job Search
Valorie Kimbrell, Medtronic

October 28, 2009 - Planning for Success: Creating a Life Plan
Sylvia Reed, FedEx

November 4, 2009 - Money Matters: Financial Literacy 101
Terry Morris, Morgan Stanley

The University of Memphis Magazine article about internships

The Daily Helmsman article about internships

Employers Endorse Internships

In 2003 and again in 2008, the Sparks Bureau of Business and Economics Research at the University of Memphis conducted focus groups to help identify characteristics that local employers consider important when hiring and evaluating professional employees. The groups unanimously stressed the need for students to participate in internships before they graduate. The city of Memphis offers a wide variety of experiences for students in almost any department. The University should work . . . to strengthen internship programs. . . and maintain relationships with organizations that could lead to . . . employment for current and future graduates.

Employers represented in the focus groups included:

Ardent Recording Studio
Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Baptist Memorial Hospital
Collins Thomas & Associates, PLLC
Cook Systems International
Emerson Motor Technologies
Exchange Club of Memphis
Fayette County Schools
FedEx Services
Hutchison School
Liberty Mutual
Looney Ricks Kiss Architects
Medtronic
Merrill Lynch
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Memphis City Schools
Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Methodist Hospitals
Peabody Hotel
Pinnacle Airlines
Poplar Foundation
St. Francis Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Shelby County Schools
Smith & Nephew
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Temple-Inland Forest Products
The Commercial Appeal
ThyssenKrupp Elevator
United Parcel Services
VA Medical Center
WHBQ-TV
WMC-TV
WREG-TV

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