FACTS
ABOUT PRINT INTERNSHIPS
What is an internship and
what does it entail?
An internship is a form combining academic studies with professional
activities. Students can augment classroom learning by working
in the media. By completing suitable academic work under the
direction of a faculty member and a professional, students
may earn three hours of academic credit
Several dozen students complete formal internships in print
every year, even though an internship for academic credit
is not a graduation requirement. Many students also work part-time
for newspapers and other media throughout the year, but only
one internship may be counted for credit.
More specifically, to earn internship credit, the student
must:
- Work at least 145 hours at the organization where the
student is interning. Usually, this involves working 10
hours a week for 15 weeks.
- Keep copies of all work completed during the internship.
- Keep a daily diary describing the professional activities
in which the student is involved during the internship.
- Write a summary of the experience at the end of the internship:
Undergraduate internships are pass/fail only.
Students are limited to three hours of academic credit for
internships, but students are encouraged to have two or three
internships during their college careers.
The faculty advisor may check with the on-site supervisor
by e-mail or telephone. Unless all steps in the process are
completed to the satisfaction of the sponsor and the faculty
intern coordinator, the intern will NOT receive academic credit
for the internship.
Undergraduate internships are graded S/U. An "S"
means the intern has satisfactorily completed all requirements
and is entitled to credit. A "U" means the intern
has not completed such requirements, and is therefore not
entitled to credit. Graduate students receive grades.
The three credits count as JOUR 548.
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Why do an internship?
An internship provides the bridge between the theoretical
and the practical; between an academic setting and the workplace;
between the School and the greater Columbia community and
beyond.
An internship also is a testing tool. It allows a student
to gain firsthand experience in a particular field of interest.
The opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge while investigating
possible career choices permits the student to make more informed
decisions in many areas.
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Eligibility
Students applying for Print internships must
have completed either JOUR 333 Copy Editing) or JOUR 335 (Reporting)
by the beginning of the internship
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Choosing an Internship
Students are encouraged to apply for national internships,
such as the Dow Jones Copyediting internships, the Politics
and Journalism Semester in Washington, the Scripps-Howard
internships and to individual newspapers, most of which offer
internships.
Students who are completing or who have completed Jour 333
Copy Editing with a B or better may apply to Doug Fisher for
one of The State newspapers six paid copyediting internships
per year, and the Post and Courier provides a scholarship
for incoming freshmen that guarantees summer internships.
Students are also encouraged to apply for internships through
the South Carolina Press Association at scpress.org as well
as internships on their hometown newspapers.
Editors on small newspapers that do not have established
internships frequently will create a paid internship when
called. Editors also visit the college during Career Day or
on individually arranged recruiting visits.
Students are encouraged and helped with advice on resumes
and samples of work. Once a sponsor agrees to take an intern,
the faculty intern coordinator processes a contract which
gives students the opportunity to enroll for credit.
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What about
finding an internship elsewhere?
Students who think the organization meets these criteria should
provide the faculty intern coordinator with information about
the organization.
When can internships be taken?
Internships are offered during fall, spring, and summer terms.
For a summer internship, credits are awarded for the Summer
II session only, although interns are well advised to begin
the internship early in the summer or as soon as possible
after the end of the spring term.
What if the internship isn't
working out?
If this is the case, you should immediately contact the faculty
intern coordinator so that the situation can be corrected
as soon as possible. Don't wait until it's too late. Editors
may not require students to work beyond the 145 hours or assign
deadlines that conflict with other academic responsibilities.
However, students may voluntarily extend the number of hours
of the internship.
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May you do more than one internship?
Yes, but not for credit. You are encouraged, however, to gain
as much internship experience as you can, given the constraints
of your other obligations. Such experience will be impressive
on your resume. One caution, however. If you decide to do
a "not-for-credit" internship before you've completed
the academic courses necessary to receive academic credit,
you should tell the organization you haven't yet finished
all the coursework required to be eligible for internship
credit. Otherwise, they may think that you're capable of doing
some things you haven't yet been exposed to.
Will I be paid for my internship?
In most cases, yes. However, pay is on a case by case basis
and the amount varies from organization to organization.
How do I register for
my internship?
Here are the steps you should follow:
* Be sure you meet the prerequisites listed above.
* Pick up an internship contract from the Student Services
Office to take to the Student Internship Coordinator.
Other questions?
Contact Professor Pat McNeely at 777-3303 or e-mail her at
pmcneely@sc.edu. Her
office is located in Room 4010H, Coliseum.
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