Internships offer a proven and effective method to find jobs in Media and Communication. Just ask the hundreds of alumni who have found their employment as a result of their internship experiences. For more information, contact Dr. Lauren Vicker at lvicker@sjfc.edu for internships in Media and Communication or Media Management. Contact Dr. Wendi Sierra at wsierra@sjfc.edu for internships in Interactive Media.

When you do an internship, you are getting real-world experience in the field of your choice: public relations; social media marketing; advertising; video production; web design; video game design; or broadcast, print or online journalism. Our internship experiences are designed to give you the best possible exposure to a career field. You’ll have an opportunity to experience the day-to-day operations of a career you are considering, add a meaningful line to your resume, and create work samples for your portfolio.

Placements

MAC_Summer_Fall_2018_Internships

Internship Q&A

Who is eligible to do an internship in the Media and Communication department?

To do an internship in our department, you must meet two basic requirements:

Junior or Senior declared Media and Communication or Media Management majors complete COMM 497 (Internship). Digital Cultures and Technologies/Interactive Media majors complete DIGC 495 (Internship).
Minimum 2.75 overall GPA (students with an overall GPA of 2.5-2.74 may petition the internship director in writing for permission to register for an internship) Note: Internships are not available to first-semester transfer students. Note: satisfactory performance in a student’s first internship is necessary to receive approval for a second internship.

There may be requirements specified by the particular internship–for example, a public relations internship might require that you complete at least two courses in public relations before applying for the internship.

How does the internship fit into the major?

You get an internship in much the same way as you get a job:

Attend an internship informational meeting offered each semester during pre-registration. The meeting is announced on our Facebook page and in classes, as well as on signs around Fay and Basil Hall.
Make an appointment with Career Services to prepare an employer-ready resume.
Consult the listings on our web site or make your own contacts. Choose two or three organizations that seem to fit your needs/interests.
Contact the sponsoring organization by phone (or send a resume and cover letter by email or snail mail).
Set up an internship interview. (This should be treated as a “real” interview–dress and prepare appropriately.)
Before accepting any internship, check with the Internship Director to verify the suitability of the position for your background and interests. (We also have a few red flags* we want you to avoid!)
Once you’ve been accepted into a sponsoring organization as an intern, you must complete a contract with your sponsor and return it to the Internship Director. Contracts are due within the first two weeks of the semester.
*For example: we do not permit students to do radio promotions internships for academic credit.

What are the requirements for completing the internship course?

During the semester when you are registered for an internship, you must do the following (Note: the following rules apply to the Media and Communication/Media Management internship. The Interactive Media internship may vary.)

Keep a log of your hours [normally 9-12 hours/week for 12 weeks]. For a 3-credit internship, you must complete a minimum of 120 hours. Your time log must be signed by your supervisor and will be turned in near the middle and again at the end of the semester.
Attend 3 mandatory meetings during the semester (beginning, mid-semester, and just prior to the final week).
Provide an internship update during the first three weeks of the internship to the Internship Director. This update may be in writing, e-mail, or with a personal appointment.
Complete a final reflection paper which includes samples of your work (due no later than noon on Friday of the last week of classes).
You will also be asked to complete an evaluation form of your internship, and your internship supervisor will be asked to evaluate your performance mid-semester and at the end of the term.

What is expected of me as an intern?

As an intern, you are not expected to know everything. Every internship is different, but there are some general guidelines:

Treat the internship as a real job. You must be on-time, dress appropriately, and stick to the schedule and the rules of the business.
Be eager to learn. Ask a lot of questions. This is your chance to discover if this is the career you want and to make contacts for the future. Don’t pass up any opportunities to expand your horizons. It makes a great impression too!
Expect that you will do some routine office work or go-fer work. While we clearly tell our sponsoring organizations that you are to receive professional experience, all jobs involve some clerical tasks and boring work. If you feel that you are not getting the responsibilities promised to you, you should inform the Internship Director.
Have a good time. This is a great way to earn three credits and, if this is the field you want, you should have fun!

What Financial Support is Available for Summer Interns?

Summer Research and Experiential Support Program

Students interested in summer internships (or conducting research) with a faculty member for academic credit may apply for a tuition waiver. Typically, the internship (or research) should be an experience that can be completed only in the summer.

This program allows selected full-time students in Arts and Sciences programs to engage in an intensive summer research or experiential opportunity under the supervision of a faculty member. Students with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or above and who planning to attend Fisher on a full-time basis the following year as sophomores, juniors or seniors year are eligible to apply for this summer support.

Two types of student support are available.

- Students interested in working with an Arts and Sciences faculty member on a scholarly research project should apply for Summer Research Support.
- Those seeking support for other types of summer experiential academic work (typically internships) should apply for the Summer Experiential Support.

Students considering submitting an application should consult with the faculty member with whom they would like to work to:

Discuss the nature and feasibility of the project;
Determine the time commitments, duties, and tasks for the summer project;
Clarify student and faculty expectations;
Secure the commitment of the faculty member to participate in the project.