Careers

 SoC Internships Offer Big Benefits

An internship can be the capstone of your academic career. Internships provide valuable networking, work experience, exposure to experts in the field, and contact with potential employers. Internships are available in many areas of communication including public relations, organizational communication, news, radio and TV, new media, media production, media copywriting, event planning, sports marketing, promotional publications, training methods, and more.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for an undergraduate internship you must be a major in the School of Communication, have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have completed a minimum of 24 credits in Communication (7600) courses. 

APPLICATION

Complete the School of Communication Internship Application and attach a copy of your current résumé.  Submit all materials to the School of Communication, Kolbe Hall, Room 108, before the application deadline. 

Internship Application Deadlines

Late applications are not accepted or considered.

• Fall semester internship applications must be received no later than the first Friday in April of the same year
• Spring semester applications must be received no later than the first Friday in October of the preceding year
• Summer internship applications must be received no later than the first Friday in February of the same year

APPROVAL

All applicants, whether approved or not, are contacted through email by the internship coordinator several weeks after the application deadline. If approved, immediately contact the coordinator to schedule an appointment to discuss potential placement based on your career aspirations and academic preparation.

The supervisor at the organization discussed in your meeting will contact you directly to set up an interview. As with any job interview, you are expected to:

• research the organization before the interview
• dress professionally
• arrive promptly
• present yourself in a professional manner
• bring several printed copies of your resume

If an internship is decided upon, an Agreement Form is completed by you and the supervisor, to outline your responsibilities and the number of credit/work hours you will fulfill. After the form is approved by the internship coordinator, bring the form to the office in Kolbe Hall 108 and you will be registered for your internship academic credit/s.

INTERNSHIP CREDIT

You can take from one to eight credits of internship credit hours during your undergraduate academic career. These may be from one or several internships, but the total number of credit hours cannot exceed eight.

INTERNSHIP HOURS

During the fall and spring semesters, each academic credit taken for an internship requires 3.5 clock hours per week. During the 10-week summer period, each academic credit taken for the internship program requires 5.25 clock hours per week.

COMPENSATION

Internship experience usually only earns credit hours for the student. If a company offers financial compensation the arrangement is made strictly between the organization and the intern.  The UA School of Communication does not provide any financial arrangements between interns and organizations.

CLASS MEETINGS

Interns are required to attend five class meetings if their internship is during fall or spring semesters. No class meets during summer internships, and students interning out-of-state are excused.

ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly Internship Reports are the responsibility of each intern. These reports include detailed descriptions of specific activities, tasks, or duties performed for each work day. Interns are responsible for consistently completing the reports and delivering them to the Internship Coordinator. 

INTERNSHIP GRADE

Your internship grade is evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Completion of required internship hours
• Final evaluation by internship supervisor
• Completion and timely submission of weekly internship reports
• Attendance at class seminars
• Completion and quality of additional assignments
• Completion and quality of Final Internship Report

For complete internship information contact the School of Communication Internship Coordinator, Ms. Andrea Ferraro, at 330-972-6780, or by email at amf35@uakron.edu.