Navigating the World of Communications Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

An internship serves as a crucial bridge connecting academic knowledge with practical experience in the professional world. It allows students to apply classroom theories in real-world scenarios, providing a significant advantage upon graduation. For students in communications-related fields, internships offer invaluable opportunities to hone their skills and explore potential career paths. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of communications internship requirements, drawing on various institutional policies and student experiences to offer a clear understanding of what to expect.

The Value of Internships in Communications

For students attending the College of Communications, an internship is the critical element in connecting academic experience to the professional work arena. Southern California is rich with internship opportunities serving the communications and entertainment industries. The Departments of Communications and Cinema and Television Arts require that students pursuing degrees in these majors complete an internship course as part of their undergraduate experience. Human Communication Studies majors are encouraged, though not required, to complete an internship.

An internship is an excellent way for you to gain hands-on experience in the field of your choice. It provides an opportunity to put classroom theory into practice, giving you an edge after graduation. Internships can also fulfill 'Experiential Learning' requirements in the B.A. in Communication curriculum.

Key Areas of Relevance

Internships must be relevant to your major. To qualify for credit, internships should align with specific areas within the field of communication. These areas typically include:

Advertising
Public Relations
Media Sales and Digital Media
News/Journalism
Video Production
Visual Communication
Strategic Organizational Communication and Advocacy
Social Media Content Management and Analytics
Event Management

Internships focusing solely on general communication skills applicable to most jobs, such as basic customer service or phone etiquette, typically do not meet the necessary criteria for academic credit.

Finding the Right Internship

Securing an internship is primarily the student's responsibility. Search for an internship that piques your career interest. You could work for a unit on campus during your internship. Or, perhaps there is an off-campus company, nonprofit, or government office that you’ve always wanted to work for?

However, resources are available to assist students in their search. Many institutions offer career centers, departmental internship coordinators, and online portals to help students identify and secure suitable internships. For example, The College of Arts and Letter's Professional and Career Readiness Center can be a valuable resource. The CSUSB Careers Center can help with advice about where to look for internships, and they hold a list of partners who offer internships. Our Departmental Internships Coordinator, Dr. Brian Heisterkamp can help too. Please also state how the duties in the internship will relate to your studies and career aspirations (i.e. what do you hope to learn?). the person who will host your internship) and Dr.

Local organizations often reach out directly to the department to recruit journalism students.

Time Commitment and Credit Hours

Most institutions require a minimum number of hours to be worked in order to earn academic credit for the internship. Students earn 3 units of credit for their COMM 495T, CTVA 495, or HCOM 495 internship, which is composed of a minimum of 120 hours in the field.

Internship Time Frame: Your internship can be longer than 14 weeks, but only the hours contained within a semester count toward the credit you earn.

Internship Hours: You must work at least 150 hours total to earn credit. Please note that even if you complete 40 hours per week and reach the 150-hour mark, four weeks into the internship, you are still required to work at least seven weeks as noted above. Please also make sure that you finish your position at a time that is convenient for both you and your employer-don't check out simply because you have met the work-hour requirement.

Here are some further examples:

for two units (COMM 5792) you will need 80 hours in the internship (over a 15-week semester that's about 5 hours a week and change),
for three units (COMM 5793 ) you will need 120 hours (that's 8 hours per week), and
for four units (COMM 5794) you will need 160 hours (about 10 or 11 hours a week).

It is up to you and your supervisor/manager at the host company/unit/organization to set the schedule for your internship.

On-Site vs. Remote Internships

The location of the internship can also be a factor. If your internship is NOT a virtual or remote position and is on-site, students are strongly encouraged to work in a professional office setting rather than in a provider’s home.

Compensation and Resources

It's essential to understand that Communication Department equipment and resources may not be used for internships: Your internship provider should be able to provide all the resources you need. Cameras and other equipment along with BYU-Idaho licenses (i.e. Adobe access or other licensed software) are for educational use only and not for commercial use. These resources are not allowed to be extended to entities outside of the agreed relationship with the university.

Read also: UCF Communication Requirements

Established in 2024 by the UCSB Department of Communication Alumni Council, this program aims to expand access to experiential learning and professional development for Communication majors by providing financial support.

Real-World Examples

To illustrate the diversity of communications internships, consider these examples:

Colorado Eagles (Marketing and Promotions Intern): Responsibilities include game operations, assisting with contests, and sponsor support. As a Marketing and Promotions intern for the Colorado Eagles, I have many responsibilities. I have three different jobs that I could do each game night; game operations, sand bag, or chuck-a-puck. If I am on game operations, there are usually three to four interns on it with me. Some of the responsibilities that I have are choosing and picking up contestants for games and contests, carrying and rolling out the National Anthem carpet and puck drop carpets, hand out giveaway items, help sponsors set up for the game, and get contests and games ready for intermissions and timeouts during the game. If I am on sand bag, it is usually me and one other intern.
New Belgium (College Ambassador Internship): This role involves event promotion and consumer interaction. New Belgium, College Ambassador Internship“My official title is the Fort Collins College Brand Ambassador, or as I like to call it, a baby Ranger. I am responsible for going to events, tastings, and liquor store promotions in the Fort Collins area. I do not deal with direct sale or distributions, rather what New Belgium refers to as ‘account preservation.’ I give out beers and interact with consumers while giving our accounts a great experience. I do not have designated hours; I usually work 10-20 hours a week attending various events around Fort Collins.
Colorado State Legislature (Communications Intern): Tasks include drafting press releases, managing documents, and tracking legislation. Colorado State Legislature“My responsibilities primarily focus on communications, like drafting press releases, newsletters, and the opening and closing remarks for particular bills. I am also assigned a few of the Senator’s bills I am responsible for tracking as they move throughout the legislative process and managing documents within a specific binder. I notify the Senator of any action she needs to take and prepare her when they are up in committee.

Important Considerations

Several important points should be kept in mind when pursuing a communications internship:

Internships Completed Prior to Graduation: Some students prefer to complete their internship after all of their other coursework is finished, and many of them participate in graduation ceremonies prior to leaving Rexburg. If you choose to follow this pattern, you'll have one semester following the graduation ceremony to complete your internship. Delaying this will require that you reapply for admission to the university. Please note that even if you attend commencement ceremonies, you will not receive a diploma or go on BYU-Idaho’s records as a graduate until your internship is completed.
Retail or Summer Sales Positions: Sales positions that offer an office environment and long-term career opportunities and specific professional communication skills (such as advertising creation or market research) might be approved as internships-please see the internship coordinator for details. However, summer sales positions and temporary, door-to-door sales positions cannot count as internships.
Students will either register for JTC 487 Internship or LB 386/JTC 386 practicum. Contact the internship coordinator to make sure the internship meets the requirements to earn credit.
This is not a course; it simply offers 1 credit for engaging in a communication-related, supervised internship. **Course typically offered once a year. Involves participating in an internship and meeting for 2 hours and 20 mins each week. This course draws on students’ coursework and analytic skills as they transition into the workplace. Complete and submit Internship Contract via DocuSign by the 1st Tuesday of the quarter. You will automatically receive a copy of the completed form after all parties have signed.

Seeking Clarification

If there is uncertainty regarding the suitability of an internship, it is crucial to consult with academic advisors or the department internship coordinator before submitting an application. If you do not get a confirmation of enrollment within 7-10 business days reach out to Dr. Heisterkamp for enrollment questions. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & ANY QUESTIONS: Dr.

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