For Businesses

Student recruitment

Golisano Institute students prove that our transformative business education works wherever they go.

Why recruit from Golisano Institute?

Golisano Institute graduates dressed in white, sitting in the forum.

Become part of the Golisano Institute story.

Tom Golisano founded the institute to reset business education to deliver real economic value to students and the Western New York region. That meant teaching aspiring entrepreneurs and employees exactly what today’s business world demands, from soft skills to AI literacy. The result is a business education that integrates real career experiences from the outset.

Man examining a robot arm.

Join a fast-growing hub for innovation in Western New York.

When businesses or nonprofits bring a student on board for a short- or long-term career experience, they become part of our expanding business ecosystem. We’ve intentionally designed our internship program to not only benefit student learning, but to become a valuable resource for business in our region.

Man in a suit with glasses watching a presentation and smiling.

Experience a new kind of intern.

Golisano Institute students are here for it in every way. Energetic and present, they bring the entrepreneurial mindset to everything they do in and out of the classroom. Plus, they know how to show up in a professional setting: Our dress and attendance policies underline the importance of personal accountability in the workplace.

How the program works

Each career experience is carefully organized to meet the needs of both students and partner organizations, offering flexibility on time commitment, focus, and expectations.

Traditional internships

Students in the business-and-entrepreneurship program have three distinct career experiences over the course of two years, a module known as Learning from Experience.

Two students having a conversation in the cafe.

First-year students

Micro-internship: 5 hours a week for 11 weeks

Four female students sitting in a row listening to a presentation.

Second-year students

Part-time internship: 20 hours a week for 11 weeks

Full-time internship: 40 hours a week for 11 weeks

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Projects

Two men speaking in front of a large window on a sunny day.

Sponsored projects

Organizations can sponsor a real challenge they face as a class project. Over the course of a quarter, students will use the problem as a learning opportunity while developing fresh perspectives and insights.

Learn more
An instructor leans on a table while students look at open laptops.

Capstone projects

Students must complete a capstone project during the final quarter of the program. Organizations that are in search of ways to advance their business work with our team to design the project.

What to expect

Curious and ready to work, Golisano Institute students are trained to bring the entrepreneurial spirit to life, no matter the challenge.

Students speaking with a business leader with his back facing the camera.

Schedule

Organizations work with our career-development team to design an internship or project, taking into account scheduling, work location, and other logistics. For part-time internships, students will have classes until 1:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Supervision

Our career-development team engages with students throughout internships. Additionally, students report back to their faculty to fulfill the academic requirement of the career experience.

Background checks

Background checks will be done if required by the hiring organization. 

Compensation

Internships can be paid or unpaid.

Assessment

Employers are asked to provide input on the student’s performance and the overall process at the midpoint and end of each internship.

Professionalism

Students are expected to carry the same professional standards required of them on campus, which includes business-casual attire and punctuality.

Portraits of two male and three female students.

Student success stories

Our team of career specialists works with every student to secure full-time employment, move ahead within an existing employer, or launch a business upon graduation. As of the fall 2025 quarter, 78% of graduates were either employed or launched a business upon graduation.

Explore some real examples of paths students have taken to accelerate their careers through internships during the two-year business and entrepreneurship program.

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What Our Partners are Saying

Our Golisano Institute intern has made a positive impact on our team. He is the first sales assistant that has been able to keep pace with his mentor. I expect he will be a top performer if he continues on this path.

Bob Johnson Buick GMC

This student was a pleasure to have on the team! He brought a positive attitude with a great work ethic. Very bright future ahead of him. Strongest intern I personally have worked with.

Aflac

Since starting the Golisano program, we have seen a shift in the way this intern exudes courage and professionalism.

Wegmans

This student has truly demonstrated a high level of competence and professionalism throughout her internship…her ability to collaborate and communicate effectively is noteworthy.

Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley

Our intern was fantastic, she quickly grasped what Endeavor does, began effectively finding ways to help drive value for the organization with external parties, and went above and beyond what was asked of her.

Endeavor

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Stephanie Ryan

Contact

Stephanie Ryan

Director of Field Experience & Employer Engagement

Want to learn more?

Contact Stephanie Ryan, director of field experience and employer engagement, at sryan@golisanoinstitute.org to get more details about our career experiences and discuss how they might support your organization’s goals.

Frequently asked questions

Internship time can be customized to fit the employer’s work schedule and the employee’s class schedule. This includes remote work possibilities as well as weekends. Otherwise, Golisano Institute school day ends at 1:00 pm Monday through Friday for all students.
Yes, the career team will be engaging with students throughout their internship.  Students will also be reporting back to their faculty for the class portion of the internship.
Yes, if required by the hiring company. 
Business casual dress is the expectation for students, which carries over to all internships. They are expected to adhere to the professional standards set by the institute.
The internship can be paid or unpaid.
Employers must provide input on the student’s performance and the internship process at the mid-point and end of each internship.