Innovation and Technology Management

1) INTERNSHIP with ECTS

It is a work-related experience in organisations and it represents an opportunity for professional and personal growth and enhances the student's study curriculum as it is integrative to individual study and the university learning process.

There are 2 types of Internship with ECTS from which students may choose:

• FREE/UCSC INTERNSHIP - Internship selected autonomously by the student using different channel (e.g. LinkedIn, Internship and Placement portal, etc.)
• PARTNER INTERNSHIP - Internships offered by the Ms Partners' companies

In order for either option to be recognised, three mandatory requirements must be met:

• CONTENT: The internship objectives must align with the core themes of the MSc ITEM. The inclusion of innovation, digital, and technology aspects is mandatory.
• START DATE: The internship must begin no earlier than September of the second academic year.
• DURATION: The internship must last a minimum of three months (12 full-time weeks). At the end of the third month, the student is required to submit three documents to receive ECTS and grade, even if the internship continues beyond three months.

2) STAGE DIGITAL

Internship focused on acquisition of skills necessary to use the main tools adopted by companies (e.g. Salesforce, Google Ads, etc.). The details about this activity (applications and specific information) will be provided during the first year.

• PREREQIUISITES – This stage is offered to M.Sc. students who meet the following prerequisites: (1) average of 26; (2) CFU achieved by the beginning of the SD: at least 40.
• CONTENTS – It consists of two parts:
  • Certification path in Digital issues, aimed at achieving a coherent cluster of digital skills:
  • Apprentice path, which consists of a project for a company to be carried out in groups of 5-6 components.
• DURATION - The SD has a minimum duration of 3 months. The  minimum 12 weeks are divided as follows:
  • 4 weeks for the first UC Certification Cluster
  • 8 weeks for the project and the second UC Certification Cluster
  • The minimum training hours (Cluster 1 + Cluster 2) will be about 250-300.
• EVALUATION - The overall evaluation, expressed on a 30/scale, will consider the results obtained by the student between the certification path and the Apprentice path, as well as the consistency of the path followed and the commitment made by the student.

3) ELECTIVE COURSE

If the student is unable to find an internship, the student can take an additional elective course (chosen among those not already selected in the first and second year). Among the elective courses, students can also choose Full immersive trip – Montana USA, 8 ECTS: a summer experience aimed at exploring the beer supply chain. For entering the program, go to page https://studenticattolica.unicatt.it/destinazioni-full-immersion-trip-montana

1) INTERNSHIP with ECTS

• PROCEDURE - The internship proposal must be submitted via the official UCSC Stage and Placement platform (https://step.unicatt.it/):
  • The host Company must register on the STEP platform.
  • The internship proposal must be uploaded by the Company, including the ITEM Internship Tutor, and approved by both the Company and the Student.
  • The proposal will then be evaluated by the ITEM Internal Academic Commission and must be approved by the ITEM Internship Tutor.
  • The Company and the Student must follow the procedures automatically communicated by email from the University Offices to complete the activation process (e.g., digital signature).
• ABROAD - For internships abroad, students must follow the specific procedures provided by the International Relations Office (contact: wea@unicatt.it).
• TIMING of the PROCEDURE - Since multiple parties are involved and the ITEM Internal Academic Commission must convene to approve each proposal, the approval process may take up to two weeks. Students are therefore strongly advised to begin the process well in advance.

2) STAGE DIGITAL

The details about this activity (applications and specific information) will be provided during the first year. In general:

• APPLICATION DEADLINE -  November of the second a.y.
• SELECTION AND ADMISSION OF STUDENTS BY UCSC -  December of the second a.y.
• STARTING DATE: Second semester - March of the second a.y.

1) INTERNSHIP with ECTS

• CONCLUSION OF THE INTERNSHIP – Students have 30 days (and at least 2 weeks before the "Internship" exam date) to submit 3 required documents via email to the ITEM Internship Tutor, even if the internship extends beyond three months. Incomplete or missing documentation may result in non-recognition of the internship. Templates and instructions will be available in the Blackboard ITEM Student Community.

3 required documents:

• Evaluation Form for the Internship (All_3 INTERNSHIP EVALUATION) – completed and sent directly by the Company Tutor to ITEM Internship Tutor
• Internship Report – detailing the activities carried out, following the guidelines in All_4_INSTRUCTIONS FOR FINAL REPORT
• Monthly Attendance Report – indicating hours of presence (All_5_MONTHLY ATTENDANCE REPORT)

2) STAGE DIGITAL

The details about this activity (applications and specific information) will be provided during the first year. 

1) INTERNSHIP with ECTS

INTERNSHIP EXAM REGISTRATION - To have the internship grade recorded, students must submit the 3 required documents (check previous step) and register for the "Internship" exam of Professor Alfredo D'Angelo through the standard exam enrollment procedure. The ITEM Internal Academic Commission will evaluate the 3 submitted documents and assign a final grade (out of 30).

2) STAGE DIGITAL

The details about this activity (applications and specific information) will be provided during the first year.

• The overall evaluation, expressed on a 30/scale, will consider the results obtained by the student between the certification path and the Apprentice path, as well as the consistency of the path followed and the commitment made by the student.
• The UC Coordinator will be assisted by the Guilds42 coordinator, who will issue a standard assessment for each student, divided into two levels:
  • Individual evaluation of the overall Certification Path (in both phases of the SD). It is automatically calculated by the Dashboard system through a specific metric;
  • Individual evaluation of the work done by the students in the Bottega, which is carried out by the Project coordinator.

Q1: What should I do if the company closes temporarily during my Internship with ECTS?
A1: The student must extend the internship by the same number of days to ensure the minimum required duration of 3 full-time months (12 weeks) is met. The student must contact the UCSC Internship and Placement Office at stage-mi@unicatt.it, copying the ITEM Internship Tutor in the email.

Q2: Can a part-time internship be recognised as an Internship with ECTS by doubling its duration?
A2: No. Only full-time internships are eligible for recognition as an Internship with ECTS.

Q3: Can an Internship with ECTS last longer than 3 months (12 weeks)?
A3: Yes, it can. However, students must submit the three required documents to the ITEM Internship Tutor within 30 days after the third month (and at least 2 weeks before the "Internship" exam date), even if the Internship continues. Failure to submit complete documentation may result in non-recognition of the Internship.

Q4: When can an Internship with ECTS be interrupted?
A4: The Internship with ECTS cannot be interrupted before the completion of the third month (12 full-time weeks). After this period, it is the student's responsibility to decide whether to continue or end the internship.

Q5: What are the primary sources of information on Internship with ECTS and Digital Internship opportunities?
A5: Students should attend the official events organised by the ITEM coordination team during the first and early second year, and consult all relevant materials available on the ITEM Student Community on Blackboard.

Q6: When can I contact the ITEM Internship Tutor?
A6: After carefully reading the documents published on the ITEM Student Community. The ITEM Internship Tutor is responsible for reviewing the proposal on the platform, forwarding it to the ITEM Internal Academic Commission, and—if approved—formally validating it on the portal.

Q7: What should I do if I missed the deadline for submitting the documents required for Internship with ECTS recognition?
A7: The student must immediately contact the ITEM Internship Tutor.