Information for Organizations

The University of Akron

School of Communication Internship Program

Thank you for your interest in The University of Akron School of Communication Internship Program. We are proud of our 30 plus year Internship Program,organized exclusively by the School of Communication. We are always looking for successful and dynamic organizations interested in providing students with professional experiences. The Internship Program is rewarding for both the participating organization and the student. Organizations provide student interns with professional quality responsibilities, tasks, and projects associated with the communication field. This partial list includes opportunities in areas such as:

• public relations
• organizational communication
• newswriting
• training methods
• media production
• media copywriting
• business communication
• event planning
• sports marketing
• promotional publications
• new media
• broadcast sales and management

New trends occur frequently in the communication field and we are always adding emerging areas of interest to our internship program. To learn more about the Program, refer to the frequently asked questions section below, and then we invite you to complete the Organization Participation form.

What must my organization do to participate in the Internship Program?

1. Complete an Organization Participation form for review by the School of Communication Internship Coordinator. If approved, the coordinator contacts you to further discuss the internship program.  
2. The coordinator presents potential internship student résumés to the organization’s Internship Supervisor, taking into consideration the student’s areas of interest and study and the organization’s needs. Supervisors select those student applicants that they believe are a good fit for their organization and directly contact the students to schedule interviews.
3. After the organization selects a student intern candidate, the supervisor completes an Internship Agreement Form with the student. The student returns the completed form to the School of Communication. Once approved, the student is registered for internship credit hours through The University of Akron and at this point, the internship becomes validated.

Participating organizations provide professional level responsibilities for the student that are rooted in the company’s communication efforts. Organizations must provide an Internship Supervisor for each student intern. This person is responsible for interviewing and selecting the intern candidate, assigning the intern’s responsibilities and projects, supervising the intern’s weekly activities, and evaluating the overall performance and efforts of the intern.

Are there any other forms or records that must be completed by my organization?

In addition to the Internship Agreement form, the supervisor signs the intern’s Weekly Internship Report. This report is prepared by the intern and documents the daily duties, tasks, and hours the intern completed for the week. Review this information for accuracy before signing the report. 

The supervisor also evaluates the intern’s performance and efforts mid-term during fall and spring semesters. The form contains criteria for attendance, attitude,comprehension, communication, work habits, and overall performance. The mid-term evaluation does not have to be returned to the School of Communication.Near the completion of the semester the supervisor again evaluates the student intern. This information is used to determine the student’s fulfillment of his or her internship program. It is pertinent that this form is completed accurately and returned promptly to the Internship Coordinator. It is the responsibility of the internship supervisor to return the completed form.

Does my organization have to offer financial compensation for the intern?

Many organizations are unable to financially reimburse student interns. However, all students earn credit hours for their internship programs. If an organization offers financial compensation, the arrangement is made strictly between the organization and the student. The School of Communication does not get involved in any financial arrangements or obligations between interns and their internship organizations.

What about liability regarding participation in the Internship Program?

The Internship Agreement Form contains a specific liability release section that the student intern must sign. This liability release states that the intern voluntarily assumes all risks of accident or personal damage to his/her person or property, and releases the internship organization from any claim, liability, or demand of any kind sustained, whether caused by negligence or otherwise.   

When can I request an intern?

Organizations can request interns at any time. Placement is for the 15-week fall and spring semesters and the summer 10-week program. Intern applicant interviewing and selection process occurs at the following times:

• Fall Semester Internship Placement: Organizations are notified of student intern applicants in mid- April of the same year. Fall semester begins the end of August and runs through the first week of December.
• Spring Semester Internship Placement: Organizations are notified of student intern applicants by the end of October of the preceding year. Spring semester begins early January and runs through the first week of May.
• Summer Semester Internship Placement: Organizations are notified of student intern applicants by the end of February of the same year. Summer semester begins mid-May and runs through the second week of August.  

How many days and hours of the week can the student intern work?

During fall and spring semesters, each academic internship credit taken by the student requires 3.5 internship clock hours per week. During the 10-week summer period, each academic internship credit taken by the student requires 5.25 internship clock hours per week. The table below specifies weekly internship hours based on credit hours.

Your involvement in the UA School of Communication Internship Program is an exciting opportunity for you and your employees and we look forward to your organization becoming a partner in our high quality and professional program. For complete information, please contact the School of Communication Internship Coordinator, Christopher Keppler, at 330-972-7821, or by email at keppler@uakron.edu.