How do I find an internship?

Check the internship board in the hallway across from the TV studio; go to siue.edu/MASSCOMM and click on Internships for a list of recommended internship venues; talk to your classmates who have/are on internships; check Web sites of companies where you would like to be employed to learn if there is an internship program in place.

Am I limited to the internship venues on the department’s recommended list?

No. We have built this list in part because students find their own internships and they work out well, giving us the confidence to add them to the recommended list.

I recently worked at a media company. Can I still get internship credit?

Sorry, but no. No “ex post facto” credit. Prior to starting work, you must be registered in and approved by the Internship Coordinator for MC 481.

Can the internship be on-campus?

Again, no. Our accreditation agency says that internships must be off-campus.

Can the internship be paid?

Yes, but not that many companies offer paid internships. Be prepared to tighten your belt for a semester.

How can I get a form stating that the internship is for credit?

If you request it, the Internship Coordinator can write a letter or e-mail/call your potential intern supervisor.

How many hours must I work to get credit for MC 481?

You must work at least 225 hours to get credit for your internship. Scheduling of these hours is between you and the internship supervisor, and does not necessarily have to coincide with the beginning and the end of a semester.

What are the prerequisites for an internship?

You must be a senior and a mass communications major. For certain internships, such as in radio or TV news, you must have completed MC332, and it’s strongly recommended that you also complete MC 324 so you have the requisite news gathering skills. It’s also strongly recommended that before an internship, you spend at least a year downstairs working at WSIE-FM News. News Director Tom Dehner will prepare you well. For a TV production internship, you must have completed an advanced production course, such as MC 332, 333 334, or 431 prior to beginning the internship.

When can I sign up for the internship?

After you have been hired by an internship venue and have a start date, make an appointment to see the Internship Coordinator. You will then fill out the necessary form (it’s also online and available for you to download from this site) and he will sign off on your add/drop form, allowing you to add MC 481 to your schedule. Remember – you must meet with the Internship Coordinator to become authorized to be registered.

How can I get help in writing my resume?

Download the handout, “Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing,” available on this site. This handout also includes a sample resume for a Mass Communications graduate. It is highly recommended that you use the elements of this resume in preparing your resume for the first page of your senior portfolio.

Does my portfolio need to be completed in the same semester of my internship?

No. You can get an incomplete that can be changed to a letter grade when your portfolio is turned in and earns at least a 70 score out of a possible 100.

How do I get information on how to create my senior portfolio?

Detailed directions are also posted in this link.

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