Career Development

Opportunities for Career Development include:

• Economics Independent Study
• Economics Internships

Independent Study/Special Topics:

A student is allowed to take up to five credit hours towards independent study and special projects under the supervision of a department faculty member. If you have not completed your maximum of five credit hours of independent study or special projects, you are eligible to register for one or more independent study courses. You must do the following before you can register for an independent study:

• Find a faculty member who will be willing to be your guide in the independent study project. You and the faculty member should agree on the scope and deliverables for the independent study.
• Write a proposal for the independent study/special project. The proposal must contain the objective of the study, reference material to be used, assignment and activities to be completed, timeline and deliverables. Evaluation criteria must also be spelled out.
• Fill out the Independent Study form. 
• Complete the form, and get it approved by the faculty member guiding your project.
• Submit the form to the department office for approval. Do not forget to attach your proposal. Department approvals are usually completed within a day. Once your proposal is approved, your name will be added to the permission list enabling you to register for the course.
• Complete the project and request your guide to send a grade to the department chair.

Download the Independent Study form here.

Internships are valuable experiences that can help you obtain a full-time job.

Internships are learning experiences that allow students to prepare for careers in their fields, and sometimes grow into full-time positions in the host company. Internships vary in terms of the organization, responsibilities, assignments, and duration, and can be paid or unpaid. 

If you are considering registering for an internship, you must do the following before you can register:

• You can (and should) register with the Office of Career Development and Exploration since they maintain a database of prospective employers looking for interns and new recruits. 
• In order to be eligible for internships, you must be in good academic standing. Undergraduate students should also consult an advisor. 
• Complete an internship application with the Department.
  economicsinternshipapplicationform.pdf
• Submit the completed form to your faculty advisor.
• This form must be submitted in time to receive a grade for the internship course.

Economics Internship Forms:

• Download the Economics Internship Guidelines and Economics Internship Application Form PDF: 
  economicsinternshipapplicationform.pdf
• Download the Internship Evaluation Form (to be completed by your supervisor at the end of the internship) PDF: 
  internshipevaluationform.pdf
  .
• Download the End of Internship Report (to be completed by you at the end of the internship) PDF: 
  endofinternshipreport.pdf

Successful Economics Student Intern 2019-2020 Academic Year:

Kevin Lannoch was named outstanding Economics major for the 2019-2020 academic year, after having also received the Richard Schier Endowed Scholarship for the 2019-2020 academic year and the Janus Scholarship in 2018. A 2016 graduate of Normandy High School in Parma, Kevin has interned at Lincoln Electric with one of their sales teams since May 2019 assisting with marketing literature, sales projections, quoting, creating sales tools, and other various projects. Upon graduation he will become a Technical Sales Trainee, a position that will involve hands on training with welding, learning the entirety of the Lincoln product line, and increased customer interaction.

Of his time at CSU, Kevin says "Cleveland State has been truly a rewarding experience. Every year I discovered a new and exciting aspect of being on campus. Even as a commuter, Cleveland State had the feeling of community. In terms of academics, the Economics department provided us with the tools and knowledge for real-world application. The professors were personable and friendly but always challenged us to expand our understanding. I thoroughly appreciated the electives and thought they added great value to my education. I am thankful for such an opportunity to meet great peers, colleagues, and teachers."

For more information on obtaining an Internship and Additional Resources, visit the internship section of our site here.