Info for Students
UnderGRADuate / Internships & Grants
Frequent Asked Questions
Q What is the internship course COMM 496 and how will it help me?
A Internships give you practical experience in your field. They also provide important contacts and good references for your portfolio when looking for that first job.
Q Who is eligible for the course?
A All Communication majors.
Q When should I apply?
A For summer internships you should enroll in COMM 496 during the spring period for credit in the fall semester. If you participate in an approved internship during the summer, you will receive credit for it in the fall semester. If you have an internship in Ithaca during the school year, you should enroll in COMM 496 during the semester of the internship. You will receive credit for that semester.
Q How many credits can I earn?
A Each student can receive one credit for approved supervised work experiences. You can earn a maximum of 1 credit per internship for up to 3 internships (3 credits total).
Q How many hours will I have to work for each credit?
A Interns receive 1 academic credit for a minimum of 60 hours of structured and supervised work.
Q How will I be graded on my internship?
A You will be evaluated on a S/U basis by your supervisor and course instructor. The supervisor can discharge you from your duties at any time. This would result in a U grade if done after the course drop date. After consulting with the internship coordinator, students can withdraw from the internship course by following the college's procedure for dropping a course.
Q What are the steps involved in arranging an internship?
A First, discuss your proposed internship experience with the internship coordinator, Kathy Berggren. Then, arrange a prospective internship before pre-registration, if possible. Contact the supervisor directly and supply him/her with your resume and qualifications for the job. If you are 'hired,' have your supervisor complete the learning contract. Take or mail the completed learning contract to the Communication Office in Kennedy Hall for approval. If possible, please give the form to Danielle Dean, who will make a record of it and send it to the internship coordinator. Enrollment in the course is not official until your internship is approved by the coordinator. During pre-registration, enroll in COMM 496 for one credit. Upon completion of the internship, give your employer the performance appraisal form. This form must be returned to the internship coordinator before a grade is assigned. As a wrap up, you are required to submit a comphrensive paper to the coordinator. You can access the description of the format here. It is your responsibility to ensure that the learning contract, appraisal, and report are all given to the internship coordinator before the end of the semester in which you are enrolled for the internship. Lack of any of these documents will result in a grade of incomplete.
Q Where should I look for internship possibilities?
A The best place to begin is the Career Development Office in Roberts Hall, where the department maintains an active file of available internships. This office also has a number of helpful directories in case you wish to write to other sources hear your hometown.
Q Do internships pay?
A Most do not, often due to union rules. The 'payment' is course credits and extremely valuable experience. If your internship does pay, you may also be eligible for academic credit.
