1. COMM 495 Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications Internship
What Every Intern Needs to Know

2. Topics to be Covered
5 Majors within the Bellisario College of Communications
Why you should do an Internship
Internship for-Credit vs for Experience Only
Internship Application Process
7 Requirements for COMM 495
Overview of the Internship Packet
COMM how it fits into your degree requirements
Internship database
How to get an internship location approved

3. 3 Pronged Approach Internships, Internships, Internships
Excel Academically
Get involved in extracurricular activities
Internships, Internships, Internships

4. The 5 majors within the Bellisairo College of Communications
Advertising/Public Relations
Film-Video
Journalism
Media Studies
Telecommunications

5. WHY DO YOU NEED AN INTERNSHIP?
IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO GAIN HANDS ON EXPERIENCE IN YOUR FIELD!
TO AQUIRE VALUABLE WORK EXPERIENCE!
TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE MARKETABLE UPON GRADUATION!
TO NARROW YOUR FIELD OF INTEREST.
YOU NEED EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS TO GET A JOB.
TO LEARN HOW TO EFFECTIVELY DEVELOP A SEARCH FOR THE INTERNSHIP THAT BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS. THESE SKILLS ARE TRANSFERABLE TO YOUR FUTURE CAREER SEARCH

6. Like to take an Internship?
You must decide if you are taking the internship for - NO CREDIT
This means you are taking the internship for the experience only.
Or taking the Internship for-CREDIT
If taking the internship for-credit you MUST be approved by the Office of Internships & Career Placement and REGISTER for COMM 495.

7. Freshman Students - are you eligible to take an Internship?
As a freshman, you may not be eligible to take an internship for-credit; however, you can take an internship for experience.
If you want to take an internship for-credit or it is required you must do the following.
Speak to your adviser before you pursue an internship for-credit.
Prove you have previous experience relating to the specific internship.
Obtain a letter from your supervisor stating that they are aware that you have not had the pre-requisite course but they are willing to accept you as an intern.

8. Taking an Internship For Experience - NO CREDIT
The Bellisario College of Communications has no jurisdiction over your non-credit internship. The College is not involved in the internship process other than helping you find prospective internship opportunities.
The internship locations you have chosen must agree to have you intern for NO CREDIT.
If the internship location agrees to have you as an intern for NO CREDIT, then you only need to adhere to the requirements set by the internship location.
You are NOT required by the College of Communications to complete any assignments when taking an internship strictly for experience.

9. 2 reasons why you would take an Internship for-Credit.
Apply credits toward your degree.
The Internship location requires you to take the internship for-credit.

10. COMM 495 - Internship for-Credit
YOU MUST PAY PER CREDIT !
If you are NOT enrolled as a full-time student you will be charged on a per- credit basis. This applies to all semesters: fall, spring BUT ESPECIALLY SUMMER since most students are not full-time during summer session.

11. COMM 495 - Internship for-Credit
Must register for the course
Must complete assignments
Receive a grade that goes towards your G.P.A. for the amount of credits you have taken.
Only exception: you do not go to a classroom…..you go to your internship location.

12. It is NOT a degree requirement to take an internship for-credit!
Each student in the Bellisario College may receive a maximum of 6 credits of internship - COMM You may take an internship for 1, 2 or 3 credits during one semester.

13. Internship Application for Credit
Complete the Bellisario College of Communications Internship for-Credit Application
Write a 5 sentence paragraph as to why you want to take an internship for-credit
Attach your resume
Submit all three items for APPROVAL to the Internships and Career Placement Office
- 208 Carnegie Building

14. Use your 6 credits of COMM 495 wisely!
Many internship locations require internships to be taken for-credit. You may take an internship for 1, 2 or 3 credits.
Example: Joe Smith is a Junior in Telecom
1st Internship – will QWK Rock during Spring for 2 credits
2nd Internship –- will Howard Stern Show during the summer for
3 credits
3rd Internship will Verizon during the Fall for 1 credit
Total credits used = 6 credits
If you intend to do multiple internship for-credit during your undergraduate career, then you will want to split the credits between internships. You have 6 internship credits available throughout your entire undergraduate college career.
1 credit = 67 hours, 2 credits = 134 hours, 3 credits = 201 hours.

15. 7 Internship Requirements
All Bellisario College students must meet all 7 requirements.
Please note your internship location may have additional requirements.

16. #1
Pre-requisite courses must be completed with a C or better prior to taking an internship for credit. There are different pre-requisite courses for each major.
Advertising – COMM 320
Public Relations – COMM 260W or COMM 370
Journalism – COMM 260W
Telecommunications – COMM 180 or 283
Film-Video – COMM 150, 250 or 242
Media Studies – To be determined based on internship
IMPORTANT NOTE: Film-Video students please be aware the COMM 495, internship for-credit course, does not formally count as credit toward completion of the major. You must receive pre-approval from your faculty advisor.

17. Please consult with your Academic Adviser to confirm this information.
Prospective Intern:
The following pages, refer to the appropriate check sheet for your major.
Please consult with your Academic Adviser to confirm this information.

23. #2 #3 You must complete a minimum
# #3
You must complete a minimum
of 67 hours of internship work per credit
This hourly requirement is the Bellisario College of Communications requirement. The internship locations may have a higher hourly requirement, thus you must adhere to the higher requirement.
Internship Contact Sheet (page 5 of your packet), to be completed by you the student on the first day at your internship.
Confirmation of Internship Placement Form (page 8 in the supervisor section of your packet) to be completed by your supervisor on the first day at your internship.

24. #4
Weekly Journals
The average number of weekly journal pages per credit, should be as follows:
One credit = one page, double-spaced, 12-point font
Two credits = one and a half page, double-spaced, 12-point font
Three credits = two pages, double-spaced, 12-point font

25. #5
THE MID-TERM EVALUATION. IT IS YOUR RESONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SUPERVISOR IS AWARE OF THIS REQUIREMENT TO BE COMPLETED BY YOU AND YOUR SUPERVISOR AT THE MID-POINT DATE OF THE INTERNSHIP (DETERMINED BY THE START AND END DATES OF THE INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE.
Mid-Term Evaluations: Supervisor must complete on-line Mid-term evaluation of student by the mid-point date of internship (determined by start and end date student and supervisor listed on page 5 and page 8 of this packet). Supervisor should go to Student must complete on-line Mid-term evaluation of internship by the mid-point date of internship (also determined by start and end date student and supervisor listed on page 5 and page 8 of this packet). Go to -

26. #6
You must complete an internship critique at the end of the internship – details are provided in the internship packet
The average number of critique pages per credit should be as follows:
One credit = three to four pages, double-spaced, 12-point font
Two credits = four to five pages, double-spaced, 12-point font
Three credits = five to six pages, double-spaced, 12-point font

27. #7 How your internship grade is determined. Journals X 30%
Critique X 20%
Supervisor Mid-term/Final Evaluation X 40%
Assistant Dean’s
Evaluation X 10% #7
You must have your internship supervisor complete the Supervisor Assessment Survey and the Supervisor Evaluation at the end of
your internship, but before the deadline listed on your internship packet.

28. Additional resources available to you, the potential intern and the future communications professional:
Internship locations other than those listed as registered internship locations with the College of Communications
Washington DC Program
Resume and cover letter critique and preparation
Interviewing - role playing and preparation
Professional networking contacts
Professional mentors
Career placement guidance
PSU alumni contacts
Career Opportunities
JobExpo.COMM – Communications Job Fair held at the HUB March 20, 2015
“Success in the City” – Communications Job fair held in New York City, April 10, 2015
Film n Friends – Peer networking event held in New York City, April 10, 2015

29. Where do Bellisario College students go to find internship opportunities?
The Bellisario College of Communications has developed a database of more than 3,500 registered internship locations.
Internship locations not found through our database must be approved as a registered internship location with the Bellisario College.
It is our mission to only accept internship locations that will provide a viable learning experience and a nurturing environment for you to perform the job in the career field you have chose.
This ever-growing list includes every type of communications organization from high profile companies to cutting edge technology companies, from premiere broadcast journalism organizations to highly respected advertising agencies and public relations firms.

30. Internship profile sample.
Please follow the PRQCAR Method

31. Interested in taking an internship for-credit at a location not registered with the Bellisario College?
You must have the supervisor of your prospective internship complete an Internship Prospect Form and return to the Assistant Dean of Internships and Career Placement before you can begin your internship.
The prospective internship location must be APPROVED before you begin your internship
It is your obligation to find out if the internship location has been approved.

32. Internships & Career Placement Office
Bob Martin – Assistant Dean for Internships and Career Placement
208 D Carnegie Building
Stephanie Girouard – Administrative Assistant
208 Carnegie Building