LOOKING FOR AN INTERNSHIP? CHECK OUT THE SCHOOL’S INTERNSHIP DATABASE: Logon to PAWS to view the complete internship database.
Define internship?
A hands-on experience in a professional environment where a savvy mass communication student puts classroom learning to real use. Available in all fields: advertising broadcast and print journalism, political communication, public relations or a combination of these.
Take an internship because you will:
- Gain a better understanding of your field
- Develop a network of potential employers
- Strengthen your resume and make you more competitive on the job market
How do I find an internship?
- Speak to the School's internship coordinator
- Look at the internship database
- Talk to professionals who are guest lecturers in your classes or group meetings
- Ask family and friends
Qualifications for earning course credit for an internship?
A for-credit internship (MC3998) may count as a mass communication elective for three credit hours and will be graded pass/fail. Prerequisites to be able to take an undergraduate internship for credit are:
- 60 hours or more of coursework
- Mass Comm GPA of 3.0 or better
- Completion of 12 hours in the Manship School not counting MC 2000, but including the primary course in your concentration area: (Advertising 3031, Journalism 3101 or 3102, Political Communication 3505 or 3506, Public Relations 3010)
HOW TO GET CREDIT FOR AN INTERNSHIP:
You must register to take an internship for class credit. The School's internship questionnaire is the first step: Click here to log on to PAWS and access the questionnaire. On the Dashboard you will be linked through PAWS; fill in the information required. Your completed application will be routed to the appropriate area head, who will contact your internship employer or supervisor to verify the job description. When the internship is approved, the information is sent to Helen Taylor to verify course prerequisites and GPA. She will register you for MC 3998 and you, the area head, and the internship coordinator will get an e-mail. Soon after, your area head will send you an e-mail or other communication detailing what your obligations--papers, reports, etc.--will be in addition.
What’s expected when you take an internship for credit:
- Must complete 240 hours of internship work. This usually means 15 hours per week during fall and spring semesters; 28 hours during summer. Your internship supervisor is required to certify this amount of work.
- Must register for the internship through the online internship system by the last day to add courses for that semester. Please allow at least 2 days for verification with internship supervisors and counselors.
- Must complete midterm and final evaluations online. Must complete and submit online an internship paper as assigned by your area head.
Information for Employers
Internships are a crucial facet of our program. The ideal internship creates a partnership between the LSU School of Mass Communication and you, the employer, providing students a great way to apply academic theories and skills to real world applications and to bring an employer the skills of an energetic and knowledgeable worker and, often, a potential "good hire." Learn more.
Need help or want more information?
Mary Ann Sternberg, Internship Coordinator
207C Journalism Building
225.578.0416
msternb@lsu.edu