Internships
- What is a communication internship?
- What is COM 490, Internship for Communication Majors?
- How can I find an internship?
- What types of internship are available?
- How do I earn credit for an internship?
- How should I approach the experience?
What is a Communication Internship?
The Department of Communication encourages majors to complete internship(s) in the professional world. A communication internship is a semester or summer-long opportunity to work in a campus or community organization as a student employee.
In addition to providing the opportunity to apply information learned in the classroom to the real world, interns report that the experience is invaluable in teaching skills not learned in the regular classroom. The work provides students with the opportunity to learn about various jobs and to gain exposure to occupations and aspects of their field that they might not have known about. An internship gives students a competitive edge over other job applicants when trying to break into the career upon graduation.
As an intern, students are basically employees of the company or organization. They may or may not be paid for their work. They are expected to perform duties, meet deadlines, develop a good work ethic, and behave professionally at all times. The amount of responsibility assigned will depend on both the organization and the intern.
The opportunity can assist the student in learning more about their chosen field. Some interns report that they learn what they don’t want to do for a career; others learn exactly what they hope to do for a career.
Internships can be completed for academic credit or not. Some organizations (e.g. radio and TV stations) require that the student enroll for credit in order to intern; other do not. If the company does not require credit, the students do not HAVE to sign up for COM 490. However, students who do sign up will have the experience recorded on your transcript, which adds credibility to the internship. Students who have or choose to register for the “class” must complete a contract with the organization and Purdue and complete short submissions and evaluations. The number of credits you can earn depends on the number of hours spent on the job. Sixty hours of employment = 1 credit. you cannot earn more than 3 credits each semester for a single experience. A maximum of six credits will apply towards graduation.
Finally, an internship gives the intern the opportunity to gain experiences desired by future employers. The experience is listed as such on the resume. Material developed is included in portfolios. Interns meet people who can be instrumental in obtaining their first job. Some are hired by the organization they interned at; others meet people who can assist in their job search.
In sum, a successful internship(s) can be the most important factor in obtaining a job upon graduation. It provides on-the-job experience, preparation for the “real world”, help with career goals and networking.
What is COM 490, Internship for Communication Majors?
There are three levels of internship experience available to communication majors only:
- Level C – Career Exploration
(The experience will be for one credit only)
Students who have completed one year of college AND have completed at least one communication class beyond COM 114 and/or COM 100 are eligible. - Level B – Internship
(The experience will be for one, two or three credits, based on the number of hours worked [60 hours = 1 credit]).
Students who have been admitted to upper-level communication program by earning at least a 2.67 in COM 102, 250 and either 250 or 318 AND have completed at least one additional communication course in their field will be registered for level B. This course depends on the requirements for the specific internship. For example, for an internship in public relations or advertising, students may have completed COM 253, 256 or 318; for a job in mass communication, COM 250, 252, 261. - Level A – Advanced Internship
(The experience will be for one, two or three credits, based on the number of hours worked [60 hours = 1 credit]).
Students who have completed a level B internship will register for level A.
Any level can be repeated; a maximum of 6 credits can be counted towards graduation requirements (additional credits can be taken but will NOT be included in hours towards graduation).
How can I find an internship?
In addition to learning about the working world, the internship should be approached in the same way you will approach acquisition of your first job after graduation. This experience is a “dress rehearsal” for your career job. Where and how you find an internship is up to one person -- you. The most viable avenue for making contacts is through your own resources. Think about contacts you already have at your disposal -- family, friends, phone listings, trade journals, newspapers, etc. Anyone or anything that can put you in contact with a possible employer is a contact. Watch the department’s website for information about pre-arranged internship programs and ways to put you in contact with companies/personnel, and provide you with job descriptions for in-state and out-of-state organizations that participate in our program. Other resources such as publications listing opportunities nationwide are available to you in the Liberal Arts Career Placement Office (BRNG 1114). Search the web. Even Googling “internship search” will get you access to hundreds of databases. Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities is also a source to peruse. Take advantage of the resources that are here for you.
What types of internships are available?
Internships are available in all areas of communication. They are available at TV and radio stations, non-profit organizations, corporations, newspapers, museums, public relations offices, hospitals, advertising agencies, and campus offices, to name a few. Past interns have designed advertising campaigns, written press releases, researched corporate culture, and handled television and radio production. These are just a few of the many ways of obtaining hands-on experience in your field of interest. The opportunities are endless!
How do I earn credit for an internship?
Students must be registered for COM 490 no later than the second Friday of the semester during which they are interning. NO RETROACTIVE credit will be considered.
- Locate an internship.
- Obtain a learning agreement
- Complete the agreement including information about your supervisor.
- Aquire a letter from your “employer” OR they may fax or email the following information to Pam Deutsch (pdeutsch@purdue.edu)
- expectations of the intern
- specific activities for which the intern will be responsible.
- expected time of “employment” (including dates and number of hours to be worked)
- Obtain a copy of your progress report from myPurdue.
- Bring your agreement, progress report, and letter (unless the employer is faxing or emailing this in), to BRNG 2114 and give the material to Donna at the front desk in the Communication office.
- Once your internship has been approved, you will be notified by email and COM 49000 released for you so you can register.
- Work the number of contracted hours.
- Complete assignments via email. There will be eight “assignments” that will be emailed to you. These may require that you respond to a question (e.g. What advice would you offer future interns with this organization?) or a situation (e.g. You now supervise the interns at this organizations. What would you do?) or ask you to complete an evaluation of the organization, the experience and the supervisor.
- Your supervisor will be asked to evaluate you and your work.
- You will receive pass/no pass credit(s) upon satisfactory completion of hours and assignments.
How should I approach the experience?
Approach your internship with optimism, enthusiasm, and professionalism. Give every assignment your best effort. Even the smallest tasks will give way to more challenging and responsible assignments. Volunteer. Ask questions. Offer to work on existing projects or suggest your own. Let your employer know what you can do.
Contribute 100% to your internship. Your effort will benefit that organization as well as yourself. Your dedication may be rewarded with a letter of recommendation or even an offer for a permanent job with the company.
Use this experience as a way to distinguish yourself from the numerous other Liberal Arts graduates entering the work force. Practical experience, combined with a successful academic background, will certainly make employers look more favorably on you.
For more information, contact:
Pam Deutsch, Internship Coordinator
Beering Hall 2115
(765) 494-3319
pdeutsch[at]purdue.edu
