Students working with professionals to obtain practical experience

Welcome to one of the key steps in beginning your career...an internship.  A major component of the communication program is the required student internship in which students complete 13 or more weeks of practical experience with an off campus media organization or an organization which has audio visual or public relations needs. There are many opportunities for internships in the immediate area, across the country, and around the world. Our local media organizations rely heavily on our students to work as camera operators, associate producers, newsroom desk assistants, copy editors, reporters, writers, assistant account executives, public relations practitioners, on-air announcers, promotions assistants, music directors and production coordinators, etc.

Major television studios such as Paramount, Warner Brothers, Disney and Fox also offer student internships. Cable networks are yet another resource where students find invaluable experience. Among them are Black Entertainment Television, Turner Broadcasting and ESPN. Print students can enjoy internship programs with major companies such as Freedom Forum, Dow Jones, Landmark, and Gannett or work with national magazines such as Entertainment Weekly and Time. Public relations students also are offered opportunities with national companies such as Ketchum Public Relations and B&C Associates.

There are other students who utilize their writing, videotaping, editing and producing skills with non-media outlets. They conduct their internships with non-profit organizations, schools, corporations, government agencies, independent production companies and computer companies. As more students learn how to create and maintain their own web pages, they will be able to pursue more technical writing internships and jobs which will allow them to do the same for many companies.

Students who select electives in foreign language are increasing their opportunities for internships and jobs. Telecommunication companies and major broadcasting companies are experiencing rapid growth in London, South America, Japan and China, paving the way for students to get international exposure.  Networks are also expanding their Hispanic programming which also opens doors for students who speak Spanish fluently.

Some students have been offered permanent employment during their internship period. Our students and graduates have been found working at CNN, the Children’s Television Workshops (Sesame Street), Dudley Products, CBS News, B & C Associates, Fox Television, Gannett, MCI Telecommunications, Sony Pictures and with our local media.

A lot of preparation goes into a successful internship experience. While students are encouraged to conduct internships on their own as early as their sophomore year, a student must be a junior to conduct an internship for academic credit. A student also must successfully complete many of their advanced courses, develop a portfolio and tape (broadcast students only), and complete the required Media Professional Development Seminar.  

To prepare for the internship experience, students are required to complete Comm. 591-Media Professional Development Seminar which focuses on interviewing skills, business etiquette, marketing your talents, portfolio and resume' tape development and resume’ writing. At the end of the seminar, professionals are invited on campus to assess students’ skills and to select their interns and/or employees. Students enjoy the networking and constructive feedback. Now, they are ready to be called "interns" and demonstrate just how good they can be in the industry.  Congratulations, if you are making plans to begin your career.  We encourage you to see Frequently Asked Questions. You are on your way to a successful and rewarding internship experience!