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Faculty Practitioners and Hands-On Projects
Bertolon faculty are recognized thought leaders who bring deep industry expertise and real-world experience to their courses. They believe in the power and effectiveness of experiential learning and bring industry leaders into the classroom to engage with students and share their expertise. Courses are designed to give students opportunities to complete in-class projects for local businesses with guidance and oversight from faculty.
Bertolon faculty and administrators are committed to helping all of our students identify their professional paths and launch successful careers.
Internships
Bertolon students are encouraged to complete at least one internship in their business concentration before they graduate. Most internships are for credit and are paid and many lead directly to job offers before a student graduates. Internships can be completed in the fall, spring, or summer. The Assistant Dean of Student Success works closely with Bertolon faculty,Career Services and strategic partners to identify and help secure internship opportunities for students. To receive credit, students participating in an internship must maintain a 2.75 GPA, work a minimum of 120 hours during a semester, and complete any academic work assigned by their faculty sponsor. Faculty sponsors work with students and their site supervisors to ensure the internship is successful and the student is gaining new knowledge and skills.
Real-World Experience Continued
Viking Business Pitch Competition
Launched in 2021, the Viking Business Pitch Competition invites students throughout the university to pitch their new business ideas to a panel of judges that includes local entrepreneurs and private equity partners and compete for cash awards they can use to advance their business ideas. Each year over 40 students and student teams participate in the Viking Business Pitch Competition. All the participants benefit from working with their assigned coaches and gaining the skills and knowledge required to launch a new business, lead a team, and make a positive impact on their communities. Learn more about the Viking Business Pitch Competition.
Cabot Wealth Management Lab
The only facility of its kind on the North Shore, the Cabot Wealth Management Lab gives business students access to data and tools used by investment professionals, allowing the next generation of Salem State students to access the world of finance. Twelve Bloomberg terminals bring together real-time data on global markets, international news and research, powerful analytics, communications tools and world-class execution capabilities.
The wealth management lab was made possible through the generosity of Rob and Rachel ’98 Lutts of Cabot Wealth Management. Additional supporters include the Charles Schwab Foundation, St. Jean’s Credit Union Charitable Foundation, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, North Shore Bank and Salem Five Bank Charitable Foundation.
Student Managed Investment Fund
The Student Managed Investment Fund gives finance students experiential learning opportunities in portfolio management and the investment management process. Students take on the roles of portfolio manager, chief analyst, student trustee and analysts, analyzing and investing designated funds into a variety of securities. The goal is for students to create returns on the fund, growing the assets available to invest and ultimately creating scholarships for future students, philanthropy coming full circle. The fund was launched in 2019 with the Individual Projects in Business Administration course and was funded by donors Rob and Rachel ’98 Lutts, Make a contribution to the Student Managed Investment Fund.
VITA Program
The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years, offering free tax help to people who generally make $57,000 or less, persons with disabilities; and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. The VITA Program, staffed by student volunteers concentrating in Accounting, has been a public service offered by the Bertolon School for the last twenty-four years.
Study Abroad
Salem State University offers a wide variety of study abroad programs that will fit into any major, schedule, or budget. Students can study abroad for an entire year, a semester, during winter break, or over the summer. We have programs offered through affiliated program providers, or you can go on a faculty-led program offered during spring break or the summer. Explore the study abroad programs at Salem State.
IMPACT (Innovative Mentorship and Professional Apprenticeship on Campus Training)
IMPACT is an innovative on-campus employment program designed to provide meaningful, career-oriented experiences for undergraduate students. Students apply and if accepted are placed in paid on-campus positions where they can develop industry-aligned skills connected to their career interests. Students are paired with a supervisor/mentor and typically work for two semesters building their skills by working on increasingly complex projects. Supervisors provide mentorship, as well as supervision, and are key to the success of the IMPACT program. Supervisor/Mentors train, guide and coach student apprentices through their daily work and projects directly impacting students’ learning, development and helping to prepare them for a future internship.
Students who complete the IMPACT program are certified as ready for an internship and work with Career Services and the Bertolon School of Business Assistant Dean for Student Success to find an appropriate internship opportunity.