School of Communications > Journalism Program> Academic Program > Internships
Internships
Students are encouraged to undertake professional internships. Internships provide students the opportunity to gain practical experience while demonstrating their abilities. In many cases, students who have held internships have been employed, after graduation, by the organizations with which they have interned.
Table of Contents |
|
Employer Responsibilities and Qualification |
An internship provides students with field experience - a dimension to their professional preparation not possible in the usual classroom.
Ideally, an internship should be analogous to a well-planned, off-campus course with a qualified professional supervisor who performs as an adjunct professor. The work should be closely monitored by an academic adviser. Academic credit should be extended only if the experience added significantly to the student's preparation.
This philosophy precludes consideration of awarding internship credit for unplanned or unscheduled part-time or full-time work where the primary purpose is not to provide an educational learning experience.
A potential employer often rates internship experience as equal to, or perhaps even more important than, coursework taken while you are in school. Internships give you:
- An appreciation of journalism as it is practiced in the "real" world. Often, students find their enthusiasm for their chosen profession grows tremendously as a result of the internship. On the other hand, some students may decide to change career objectives. An internship gives you an opportunity to make an intelligent choice.
- Entry-level work experience. Studies show that up to 70 percent of college graduates get their first jobs as a direct result of their internships.
- Professional recommendations. You need top-notch, first-hand recommendations when applying for a job. As an intern, you will get to "rub elbows" and work directly with some of the top professionals in the field. Do a good job for them in your internship and they will be more than happy to give you a good recommendation.
- A chance to build a collection of your work. In most cases, you will produce materials that you can proudly add to your clippings and portfolio and show a prospective employer exactly what kind of work you are capable of doing.
Students enroll in JOUR 485 (Field Work) for 3 credit hours. JOUR 485 is repeatable. Internships are on a credit/no credit basis; however, mere completion of an internship does not guarantee credit. An internship is considered an elective. Credit cannot be given retroactively.
To participate in a journalism internship for credit, you must have successfully completed JOUR 301. PLUS, you must have the consent of your faculty adviser.
- Requirements: Completion of a minimum of 150 hours of work.
Each student, in addition to completing the Journalism Program's internship forms (see Internship Checklist), registering, attending class sessions and completing 150 hours of work, is responsible for the following being completed and turned in to the adviser by various deadlines during the semester:
- A research paper (3-5 pages) on the organization/company must be turned in by Friday of the fourth week of the semester.
- A written evaluation by the intern (Student's Evaluation of Internship), due on the semester's last day of class.
- A final evaluation of the intern by the supervisor (Supervisor's Evaluation of Intern), due on the last day of class.
- A completed activity log/journal of tasks, duties, and products accomplished by the intern. The log is due on the last day of class.
- Students are also required to meet periodically with their faculty adviser.
Each professional supervisor accepts certain responsibilities and is required to:
- Register by providing a detailed description or outline of the proposed internship (e.g., list of duties) with Journalism.
- Assure that the student has a meaningful learning experience, performing relevant entry-level work.
- Supervise and critique the student's performance.
- Give the student opportunities to work on a variety of projects.
- Provide a clean and adequate working environment.
- Ensure that the student work in accordance with state labor laws and union contracts.
- Submit a completed final evaluation form to the faculty adviser.
Employer Qualifications
Organizations sponsoring journalism internships must be capable of providing a broad on-the-job learning experience for a minimum of 150 hours. Close supervision by a professional is an absolute requirement.
In determining whether an individual is a professional capable of supervising an intern, the journalism program will consider such credentials as job title, work experience, education and membership in a professional association.
The faculty internship adviser will usually visit each job site at least once during the semester.
Employers are urged to pay at least minimum wage. Most internships, however, are non-paying. The absence of pay is not a consideration in approving internships, In fact, many of the best internships (as reported by students) are non-paying.
If at all possible, the student should try to apply for an internship during pre-registration. If an internship opportunity arises before the beginning of a semester, it is possible to start it early if it has been properly arranged and approved by all parties.
A word of caution--do not forget to register for the course. Registration is required for credit.
It is never too early to line up your internship.
How to Prepare for an Internship
- Prepare a resume. Put together a collection of your work.
- Make a list of possible internships. Consult with the faculty internship adviser.
- Call the contacts at the companies you've selected to schedule an appointment for an interview.
- For the interview, dress appropriately--local business attire. Take your resume and portfolio. Show your portfolio and leave a copy of your resume with the interviewer.
- If you are offered a position, have the employer fill out and sign the Internship Contract, which then is turned in to your faculty adviser. You must also fill out and sign the Assumption of Risk and Release form.
Finally...
Remember, you are the primary beneficiary of an internship. The employers provide the opportunity for you to gain this practical on-the-job training and experience. You represent the University of Hawaii and the School of Communications Journalism Program. Be honest with yourself and your employer, and do your very best at all times.
Home | Faculty | Undergraduate | Parvin Fellowship | Communication Program | Journalism Program | Academic Program | Resource Links | Journalism in the News | Organizations | Courses | Schedule | Facilities | Internships | Scholarships | Frequently Asked Questions | Head Start | Contact Us | Site Index | University of Hawaii at Manoa
