Students

Students seek internships for a multitude of reasons: networking, gaining work experience and skills, and testing the career waters are just a few of them. Through securing an internship, students apply what they learn in the classroom in professional settings with the opportunity to earn college credit. The Department of Communication encourages and supports our undergraduates in locating appropriate internship opportunities and assists students throughout the process.

Whether on the job market or competing for internships, communication majors are in demand in both the private and public sectors. There are many fields in which communication majors can gain valuable experience. Some examples include: public relations, government, education, health care, social services, and media. In the past, our students have interned at the following organizations:

  • Public Relations/Event Management
    • University Office of Public Affairs
    • Champaign County Convention and Visitor's Bureau
    • University Assembly Hall - Event Planning
    • State Farm Insurance
  • Law
    • Champaign County Public Defender's Office
    • Champaign County State 's Attorney Office
    • Naomi Jakobssen's Office
    • Michael Frerichs' Office
  • Media
    • WCIA television
    • WAND television
    • WPGU 107 radio
    • WILL radio and television
  • Social Service Organizations
    • Center for Women in Transition
    • Center for Independent Living
    • University YMCA
    • Community Choices
Earning Credit

Academic credit can be received for many of the internships that are offered. Academic credit is based on the total number of hours spent in the internship per semester. It is typical for a student to earn between 2 and 3 hours of credit per semester in the internship course (CMN 304). Students may earn up to 6 hours of credit in CMN 304. Only Communication majors may receive academic credit for CMN 304. Credit is only awarded after the requirements of the internship have been met and cannot been awarded retroactively.

Recommended Coursework

To enhance the internship experience, we recommend that students try to take at least one course in each of four areas prior to the internship:

  • interpersonal/small group - (e.g., CMN 113, 230, 413, 435)
  • organizational - (e.g., CMN 211, 212, 411, 412, 496-Comm & Leadership)
  • research methods - (e.g., CMN 474)
  • a content area relevant to internship interests
Process and Requirements

In order to get started, students should stop by the Internship Program Office and meet with an Internship Coordinator (see Internship Program Office Hours). As an alternative, students may send an e-mail at comm-internships@illinois.edu. Coordinators will work with the student to identify possible internship opportunities that coincide with the student's interests. If the internship is secured and the student is interested in academic credit, s/he will need to provide a proposal for credit (see Sample Proposal under the Resources tab). Dr. Shirley Faughn, Internship Director, will read the proposal and then will determine if the student is eligible for credit. If approved, the student will receive registration information.

Grading

At the end of an internship, Dr. Faughn or another prearranged faculty sponsor will review the internship academic assignments and will determine a grade based on these requirements. An example of what might be required includes:

  • the field supervisor's evaluation
  • the student's journal
  • the student's formal paper
  • the student's portfolio of internship work samples
  • other assignments as determined by the faculty member

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Internship Program Office: Communication Department, 4086 Lincoln Hall, 702 S. Wright St., Email: comm-internships@illinois.edu Office Hours: Internship Program Office Hours