2020-21

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics assists individuals and organizations here at Santa Clara University, Silicon Valley, and around the world by providing useful resources to promote ethics in everyday life and equip individuals and institutions to act with integrity. The Center serves professionals in fields from business to health care, from government to the social sector, providing innovative approaches to problems from fake news to privacy protection. The Center’s website makes ethical decision-making resources available across the globe. Of particular interest to Santa Clara University students may be the Center’s Business Ethics Internship.

The Business Ethics Internship places SCU students in ethics and compliance positions at major companies in Silicon Valley. The program offers selected candidates a 9-12 month or summer-only internship, a collaborative mentorship, and the opportunity to combine classroom learning with occupational experience. 

The Undergraduate Business Program Office has interviewed Ann Skeet, Senior Director of Leadership Ethics, to learn more about the Center’s internship program.  

What kind of student should apply to the business ethics internship program? The internship program is open to undergraduate students from all disciplines. The Ethics center screens applicants for their academic excellence and interest in ethics.

Are there any majors/careers that are particularly well-suited to this program?  Placements have typically been in the legal part of the company but placements can happen anywhere ethics is a focus. We expect to see more placements grow in companies willing to have students working with them around the responsible use of technology. Students considering careers in ethics and compliance, accounting, law, product development and management, marketing and sales and human resources might all find worthwhile opportunities in the program.

What are some examples of job titles or positions students have found themselves in as part of the internship?

• Ethics and Compliance
• Internal Audit, Procurement
• People Ops/Human Resources
• Product Development
• Marketing and Sales 

What makes the business ethics internship program different from a typical internship? A cornerstone of the internship program is the collaborative partnership in support of students between participating companies and the Ethics Center. Student interns: 

• Receive on-the-job support from Business Partner co-workers and supervisors
• Attend quarterly in-person touchpoints with Business Ethics staff, current interns, and alumni
• Participate in company-sponsored networking events, learning opportunities, and/or Markkula sponsored events, training, and speaker panels
• Participate in informal case study review and development 

If a student has a general interest in business ethics, what are some ways this student could learn more about the subject or get involved in this area of study?  Interested students should start by subscribing to the ethics center newsletters and various email lists and blogs to get more information about events and programs. Professors teaching business ethics and Markkula Center staff working on business and leadership ethics are also great resources. There is more information on the center’s website.

How can students learn more about the Business Ethics Internship? 
When on campus again, stop by the Ethics Center and ask to speak with Monica DeLong. Until then, send your email queries to ethics@scu.edu.