Department of Communication

COMMRC 1900: Communication Internship

Definition:

An undergraduate communication internship is an out-of-classroom experience that gives a student an opportunity to:

1. Become acquainted with a profession or occupation before entering the job market.
2. Establish a necessary network of professional contacts beyond instructors and advisors.
3. Observe and apply classroom theories and concepts in a "real world" experience.

Requirements:

To be eligible for a communication internship, a student must:

1. Have an overall QPA of 2.75.
2. Have consent of a Communication Department faculty sponsor.
3. Have completed at least 36 credits, including at least two communication courses.
4. Secure an approved communication-specific internship from the Internship Office, Communication Advising Office, or personal contacts.
   1. The internship must require 12-15 hours of work per week (equal to three credits).
   2. It also must offer the student a demonstrable hands-on introduction to the profession.
5. Print an internship agreement form from the Web site or pick one up at the advising office.
6. Solicit a full-time communication faculty member to serve as a sponsor.
7. File the appropriate forms through the advising office once they have been filled in with:
   1. Your signature
   2. A description of your internship duties and on-site supervisor's signature
   3. Your faculty sponsor's signature and description of your sponsor's expectations/requirements.

Evaluation and Grading

A student doing a second internship directed by an individual instructor must complete the following requirements.

• A daily log
• At least two contacts with your academic supervisor during the term.
• A letter of evaluation from the internship supervisor (get the form from the advising office or internship director)
• A departmentally approved assessment, which might include a paper, oral examination, or formal presentation.

Each interning student will complete a Communication Department Internship Agreement form.

For help in finding an internship, check out our Finding an Internship and Resources pages.

You can also come into the Communication Department to talk with an advisor about internships. Call 412-624-6567 for advising hours, check the advising hours page, or contact undergraduate advisor John Gareis for more information.

You may also wish to visit the Arts and Sciences internship page.