Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find an internship?
Basically, there are three ways you can start your search.
- Find your own opportunity. Maybe your best friend works for a great organization or your dad’s golfing buddy is looking for an intern. Make the most of opportunities you find yourself!
- Check the internship log. This log is a great resource to show students the number and types of organizations that have strong relationships with ISU interns. With so many choices in any area of communication, you are likely to find one that you’re interested in pursuing.
- Check recent semesters’ Internship Rosters to see where past interns have succeeded.
Why should I get an internship?
Remember the statistic about recent ISU graduates? Nearly half of the SOCs most recent grads held internships. While internships are not required, they are strongly recommended. Internship experiences provide motivated students (i.e., YOU!) with great professional, personal, and social benefits to help them gain that coveted competitive edge. Being an intern also gives you experience and it can be a great way to “test out” future careers and find your “match!”
When should I get an internship?
To be a successful intern, it’s good to have a solid foundation of the communication discipline. Generally, the School of Communication wants students to complete all required 100- level courses for their major before beginning an internship. Internships aren’t just for upperclassmen. There have been many sophomore communication majors who make great transitions into successful interns! Most of the top School of Communication students do more than one internship for credit.
Are there any paid internships?
Very few internships in the log are paid. Unpaid internships provide just as much experience for student interns and are just as valuable. If your dad’s golf buddy came through for you and is ready to offer you a paid internship, that’s great and you should feel free to accept it if it will be a good fit! Generally, the Field Experiences program does not involve itself with compensation issues—just professional experiences for academic credit. If you find a paid internship on your own, of course, you are still able to take the internship for credit.
What is the difference between an on and off campus internship?
The difference is in the category—some internships are offered through departments, Schools, and Colleges on campus, while others are offered off campus by organizations, agencies, businesses and corporations. The internship log has a wide variety of internship possibilities both on campus and throughout the state of Illinois (and even some beyond!)
Why should I register my internship for academic credit?
Past interns value their internships because they get to apply skills learned in their communication courses. Why not gain academic credit for an out of the classroom experience that gives you hands-on knowledge about your major? Additionally, most internship providers require that their interns receive academic credit for the internship. An internship is a class -- but most students not only earn an “A” for their transcript – they also enjoy the benefits of working closely with both an internship supervisor and faculty mentor.
How many hours should I devote to my internship to get credit?
Remember the rule you hear the first day of class--the one that states you should spend 3 hours studying/preparing outside of class per hour spent in that intimidating lecture hall? The same “rule” applies for internships—but most interns enjoy their internship hours more!
Most interns register for 3 credit hours—this means that the intern must work a minimum of 9 hours a week--3 hours per credit hour. Since a typical college course is 3 credit hours, it’s expected that interns register for the same amount of internship credit hours. By the end of a typical semester-long internship, students will have gained at least 144 hours of experience!! It’s only slightly different for a summer-long internship---interns must work 4 hours a week per credit hour (12 hours/week).
How is my internship like a class?
Ideally, your internship IS a class-- just a more “hands-on” version. You will learn on the job, but you will also get tons of opportunities to shine and apply the skills learned in your communication courses.
The Field Experiences program views internships the same way! Your internship is an academic AND professional partnership with the organization you are interning for. Your internship is also similar to a class because:
- You receive academic credit and a letter grade
- There is an internship “syllabus”
- There are academic assignments/homework
- Your internship can count as a 200-level elective (NOTE: Check this with your academic advisor).