Internships

The E. W. Scripps School of Journalism requires all majors to complete an internship in order to graduate. The internship is designed to provide students with practical experience in a career setting outside the classroom. Internships can provide hands-on professional experience, professional contacts, and a competitive edge in job placement. Some internships may offer a stipend, most are voluntary.

Meet Your Internship Requirements

1. Secure an internship in your field of study that will provide at least 200 contact hours with the same employer. Internships can be paid or unpaid. Information on internship opportunities is available through the Scripps College of Communication Internship Coordinator, Ohio University’s Career and Leadership Center, industry web sites, social media sites, career fairs, student organizations, and your advisor.
2. You must have approval from your Faculty Mentor before you begin your internship. Complete and submit the “Internship Pre-Approval” form with your Mentor's signature (and your signature, too).
3. After you complete your internship, you MUST complete the Internship Report Form. You must complete the form in its entirety, complete with your supervisor's name and email. Your internship supervisor will receive an email from Ohio University Scripps College of Communication with an internship evaluation link and password that allows them to complete and return your internship evaluation. Your internship evaluation form is used to verify that you have completed your internships.

Once your internship supervisor completes your evaluation form, it will be sent to your faculty mentor for approval. If your faculty mentor approves your internship evaluation form, your DARS will be updated to reflect you have completed your internship requirement for your degree.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Director of Student Development Erin Roberts.

Make the Most of Your Internship

The principle responsibility for arranging the internship rests with the student. Think about the type of work you would be interested in as well as the environment. An internship should be a learning experience, so make certain there is a learning agenda when you make the arrangements with the employer. Additionally, remember that you are representing the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism and Ohio University when you are working at your internship. What you do and how you perform reflect not only on you, but also on the School and our other students, as well as the University as a whole. Here’s some advice about ways to adjust to the work routine and set you apart from other interns:

1. Remember the employer is investing time and energy to train and supervise you. Services of value are expected in return. This is a reciprocal arrangement: you exchange your work in return for on the job training; work experience is an important resume item.
2. As the new kid on the block, you may be assigned some “gofer” work, the least desirable hours, necessary evil work. That’s part of paying your dues. Do it happily. Your attitude about this work may be one of the first things your supervisor notices about you.
3. Be punctual! If you are typically the last one to show up or are traditionally late – REFORM! Even if your co-workers are late, be on time. Many bosses notice and in the short time you are there, they may have little else to evaluate you on. Punctuality is important.
4. Don’t be a “clock watcher” – stay a little after quitting time.
5. Don’t abuse lunch and work breaks. Be punctual in this regard as well.
6. If you must take a personal phone call at work – keep it short and limited.
7. Don’t email, instant message, search the web, or play games on company time. Computer time is for work related activities.
8. Limit your requests for days off. Work is work and it sometimes requires tough decisions. You may not be able to do all you want because of the work commitment.
9. Work attire is very important. Ask if there is a dress code and be attentive to what others wear. Your clothes should not be what people remember about you. Common terminology in dress codes says that it is a violation of the dress code to wear anything that “brings undo attention to an individual.” This would include facial hair, haircuts, color, piercing, tattoos, and provocative clothing. Err on the side of conservative.
10. Meet deadlines. Even for small, seemingly unimportant tasks – this is the most common reason for interns not getting a full-time job offer.
11. Go to work every day excited to be there. An internship is not a job. It is the longest job interview ever. You are always being evaluated!

Internships are a wonderful opportunity and a great experience. Make the most of your internship!

Resources for Finding Internships

Employers: Email your internship and job announcements to dashiell@ohio.edu. 

Ohio University uses Handshake to connect students with employers at numerous media organizations, communication and marketing agencies or nonprofits. Students use Handshake to find internships and jobs. Employers use Handshake to post internships and job opportunities. Log in to Handshake to Handshake and create a profile.

Career Network for career coaching, leadership coaching, mock interviews and leadership development.