Overview

The Riata Entrepreneurial Internship Program provides unique entrepreneurial opportunities for highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students at Oklahoma State University. The program will offer up to 20 student internship appointments annually. These appointments require student interns to work directly with an entrepreneur, president, or senior executive in a high-growth, innovative company located in the Stillwater, Tulsa or Oklahoma City metropolitan areas. Interns are expected to add meaningful value to the work environment and to produce a number of useful deliverables to company management. Interns also take independent study credits in order to meet certain curriculum requirements.

Being selected as a Riata intern is both an honor and a challenge. Interns will be able to participate in exciting, hands-on, experience-based learning opportunities in entrepreneurial work environments.

Student Eligibility Requirements

Upper class students or graduate students in good standing enrolled at any school or college at Oklahoma State University are eligible for the program. Candidates must have strong grade point averages, evidence of extracurricular involvement, be self motivated and have an interest in entrepreneurship. Riata intern candidates are required to enroll for independent study/experiential learning credit and to work between 15 and 20 hours per week for an estimated 13 weeks with their host company.

To Apply (Students)

Interested students must complete a Riata Intern Application, provide a professional resume, schedule an interview with the internship director, show a serious interest in pursuing entrepreneurship, and register for the appropriate internship class. The link to the application form is below. A call for applications is made by the Riata Center across the campus at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters. If you would like to be on the contact list for the call for applications, please email Nola Miyasaki at the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship’s contact email listed below.

Application Deadline for Spring 2010: Dec 1, 2009.

Stipends and Course Credit

The Riata Entrepreneurial Internship Program stipend is based upon the intern's completion of 180 to 200 hours of service.

Note: Stipend payment is subject to the student adequately meeting program and job requirements.

Host Employer Eligibility

The host company must be an entrepreneurial company in Stillwater, the surrounding area, Tulsa, or Oklahoma City. Employers must be willing to pay 70 percent of the intern's stipend. The other 30 percent will be covered by the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship. Host employers are expected to provide a clear and substantial role for the interns, and the intern must be allowed to work directly with the host employer's senior decision-makers - with exposure to the founder/entrepreneur where possible - and experience the multiple facets of the company.

To Apply (Host Employers)

Prospective host employers who meet the desired criteria and basic standards of the Riata program should contact the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship below.

Additional Information

For more information about the Riata program, contact Nola Miyasaki, Executive Director, Riata Center for Entrepreneurship at entrepreneurship.okstate.edu or come into the Riata Center located in Room 101 Business Building in the Spears School of Business.

Click here to apply online for the Riata Entrepreneurial Internship

Fall 2009 Riata Internship Host Companies

SST Software

SST Software is a privately held agricultural software development and information services provider with customers in forty-two U.S. states, eight Canadian provinces, and twenty-two countries. With over 15 years of experience, SST is positioned as the industry leader in the development of site-specific technology infrastructure and applications, and is currently active in developing, processing and delivering user-defined information products to many of the largest and most progressive agricultural service providers in North America.

Zanotti's

Nestled in the heart of Downtown Stillwater, Zannotti’s Wine Bar is a Tuscany-style setting that offers a unique selection of wines, bottled beer and mixed drinks for both the wine connoisseurs and novices. Add to that, attentive staff and wonderful italian style appetizers and desserts, and Zannotti’s is a great place to come after work, meet friends and colleagues, or be a before or after-dinner destination.

Q Logic

Since 1988, Q-Logic has specialized in helping you to get the best performance from the audio system in your vehicle. Along the way, we’ve seen changes in the way our customers store and access their music (from 8-track tape to mp3 and everything in between) as well as countless technological advancements in the vehicles themselves. Q-Research, LLC. (Q-Logic) is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma and manufactures, markets, and distributes branded aftermarket car-audio enclosures under the names of Q-Logic, Q-Forms, and Q-Customs. Distribution is broad, and includes over 1,000 specialty dealer locations and major retailers nationwide.

CIED

CIED serves OSU’s commitment to economic development through sharing university “know how” (Research), building entrepreneurial strengths (Instruction) and participating in regional strategic alliances (Outreach) that create jobs and wealth for the citizens of Oklahoma.

ICX

ICx Technologies is a leader in the development and integration of advanced sensor technologies for homeland security, force protection and commercial applications. Our proprietary sensors detect and identify chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats, and deliver superior awareness and actionable intelligence for wide-area surveillance, intrusion detection and facility security. We then leverage our unparalleled technical expertise and government funding to address other emerging challenges of our time ranging from a cleaner environment, alternative energy to life science.

Merrifield Office Plus

Why choose Merrifields as your office solutions partner?
A great combination of prices, products and personal service. This combination is made possible by our huge buying power through independent stationers buying group and our great staff of local people who are committed to serving you with both personal attention and great efficiency.

Stan Clark Companies

Eskimo Joe's is a landmark in Stillwater and was formed by Stan Clark as a student entrepreneur more than 34 years ago. It has now grown to five diverse companies that include three restaurants Eskimo Joe's, Mexico Joe's & Joseppi's , a major merchandise company - the Eskimo Joe's clothing line and the new Eskimo Joe's Promotional Products group.

C Star

CStar provides management and leasing services for a wide range of multifamily properties. Utilizing the results of extensive market analysis, the management team positions each property correctly in its market and develops an aggressive marketing campaign as well as effective resident retention programs.