Banking Industry Internship Program

Oregon Banking Industry Student Internship Program

The Oregon Banking Industry Student Internship Program provides student interns with a wide range of learning opportunities and work-related banking experiences during employment with an Oregon bank. The goal is for participating students to return to their university campus for their junior or senior year with a positive impression of banking and a strong desire to pursue a banking career upon graduation.

Geographic Scope: Oregon

Focus Areas:

• Banking operations
• Lending
• Financial auditing
• Compliance
• Financial trend analysis
• Bank marketing strategies
• Customer promotions
• Accounting
• Human resources
• Bank customer relations
• Investments (some banks)
• Real estate (some banks)
• Insurance (some banks)
• Trust operations (some banks)

Program Duration: 10-12 weeks, typically during summer

Internship Requirements:

• Minimum 30 hours per week
• Recommended wage rate: $10-15 per hour
• Student responsible for all housing and travel costs
• Bank not responsible for benefits or insurance costs
• No obligation for future employment offer
• Starting date decided between student and host bank

Key Program Features:

• Assignment of a banking mentor (typically a bank officer)
• Weekly meetings with mentor for at least one hour
• Establishment of specific student learning objectives
• Exposure to diverse banking activities and functions
• Participation in bank-related activities:
  • Visits with loan officers to customer business operations
  • Bank loan committee meetings
  • Board of Directors meetings
  • Staff training sessions
  • Local community activities representing the bank
• Optional assigned student projects (marketing studies, financial spreadsheets, trend analysis, customer surveys, etc.)

Confidentiality Requirements:

• Student must adhere to total confidentiality regarding host bank records, customer financial statements, committee meetings, and private conversations

End of Program:

• Student must submit written summary and critique of internship experience
• Student must assess work experiences and identify learning opportunities
• Student must provide three copies of evaluation report (distributed to host bank, OBA, and university)
• Bank mentor completes evaluation form and provides recommendations
• Bank mentor feedback shared only with OBA and university

Partner Universities:

• Oregon State University
• University of Oregon

Oregon State University:

• Dan Ziriax, M.Mgt., GCDF, CCSP
• Assistant Director of Professional Development – Career Success Center
• Oregon State University College of Business
• Phone: (541) 737-9514
• Email: [email protected]

University of Oregon:

• Keith Dussell
• Program Manager, Assistant Director of Employer Engagement
• Mohr Career Services
• Phone: (503) 346-1462
• Email: [email protected]

How to Apply

For Banks:

1. Banks interested in securing an intern should contact the appropriate person from educational institution partners listed below
2. Coordinate internship timing and logistics with the university
3. Assign a banking mentor (bank officer) to the student
4. Establish specific learning objectives with student
5. Meet with student weekly for at least one hour to discuss progress
6. Have student participate in diverse banking activities
7. May assign optional special projects to student
8. Complete evaluation form at end of internship

Educational Institution Partner Contacts:

Oregon State University:

• Dan Ziriax, M.Mgt., GCDF, CCSP
• Assistant Director of Professional Development – Career Success Center
• Oregon State University College of Business
• Phone: (541) 737-9514
• Email: [email protected]

University of Oregon:

• Keith Dussell
• Program Manager, Assistant Director of Employer Engagement
• Mohr Career Services
• Phone: (503) 346-1462
• Email: [email protected]

Student Requirements:

• Work minimum 30 hours per week
• Adhere to confidentiality policy
• Participate in banking activities as directed
• Submit written summary and critique at end of internship (three copies)
• Assess work experiences and learning opportunities gained
• Identify areas for program improvement