Internship

Communication Internships

 

We offer Buffalo State students the opportunity to hone their skills by working in a professional setting related to their intended career.

What is an internship?
An internship is a formal educational project involving the student, the department, and an off-site organization that offers the student a learning experience consistent with his/her major. It is undertaken after the student has successfully completed the majority of the academic work in the major.

In what kind of organizations do students do internships?
Because of our reputation in professional circles, the Communication Department finds that our students are actively sought by media organizations. Usually, students will have a choice of internship opportunities.

Public Communication students generally intern in public relations or advertising agencies, in public relations departments of corporations, or nonprofit organizations.

Broadcasting students generally intern in radio or television stations or with production companies.

Journalism students intern in the editorial departments of area newspapers or magazines or in radio or television newsrooms.

Communication Studies majors generally do not participate in internships, since their program is academic in nature. However, if 0706 majors have completed the required professional courses in broadcasting, journalism, public relations, or advertising, they may apply for the internship, provided they also have the required GPA in their major.

In what geographic locations do students do internships?
Most students do internships in Buffalo and elsewhere in Western New York as part of a full semester class load. Students also may do internships during the winter semester break, in the summer, or as part-time students. In the past, we have sponsored internships located as far away as Taiwan and England. Students may receive no more than three credits for an off-campus internship.

What are the academic requirements for an internship?
Students must have at least a 2.6 in their major, and they must have successfully completed the pre-requisite 300-level courses - COM 301 and 308 in Public Communication, COM 304 and either 328 or 329 in Media Production, COM 302 and either 303 or 337 in Journalism.

How does a student register for an internship?
First, make sure you are eligible (having a 2.6 GPA in your major, and having completed the prerequisite courses). You can learn your major GPA by checking your audit sheet. Then contact the academic supervisor for COM 488 and request Instructor Permission. When approval has been given, go back into the online registration and add COM 488 with the appropriate CRN number.

What kind of work will be expected of students?
Student interns are expected to do professional work, monitored by the department. Ideally, each student will leave the internship with at least one project that s/he has done substantially alone, as well as a portfolio or set of professional projects. Note: The department cannot give academic credit for internships in which students work in areas unrelated to their majors.

How much time should a student expect to give to an internship?
Plan on spending at least as much time on this course as for any other three-credit upper-division elective in your major. Don't take this course for an easy time. Basic requirements are 50 hours of on-site work for each credit hour; a typical three-credit course would require 150 hours of on-site work, approximately 10 hours a week throughout the semester. Students also participate in a one-hour class meeting each week to review their progress in the internships and build career and job-search skills.

What is the role of the internship academic supervisor?
A Communication Department faculty supervisor monitors the intern's work and serves as a liaison between the college and the work site. The academic supervisor also convenes weekly meetings with interns and guides them through the reports required for this class.

What is the role of the internship professional supervisor?
A professional at the work site directs the intern's work and provides on-site guidance. The professional supervisor provides feedback and evaluation on the student's work performance.

Where do internships fit in the student audit sheet?
COM 488 is an upper-level Communication major elective. If not needed for major requirements, it could serve as an upper-level All College elective. Note that only 3 credits of internship may count toward the 120-credit graduation requirement. Additional credits may be taken as extra credits.