Internships

Gain hands-on experience in broadcasting, print, web, video/multimedia editing, and other areas of interest while earning academic credit.

About Internships

All journalism majors who plan to work in the field after graduation must get on-the-job experience while in college. Internships can help you gain a competitive edge by building skills employers seek.

JOUR 4091: Supervised Field Internship

Many students choose to enroll in JOUR 4091: Supervised Field Internship. They research, report, and write for newspapers, radio, television, online publications, and more under the supervision of professionals.

Requirements for the course include:

Once enrolled, students will complete 195 hours in the field for 3 credits, a final essay, weekly log-ins, and a mid-semester and final review.

Finding Opportunities

Part of the application process is working to find an internship. This shows coordinators that you can work on your own, which is a required skill in the workplace. Students can pursue internships in Connecticut/Northeast, New York/DC, or the Southeast/Midwest/West.

We're also here to help you find opportunities:

  • For information on broadcast internships, contact Steven Kalb.
  • For details on print/web opportunities, contact Julie Serkosky.
  • For students who have an interest and background (portfolio) in the visual arts, video, or multimedia editing, contact Steve Smith.

Once you've found an internship or while your search is ongoing, fill out the application and submit it and other necessary materials to Steve Kalb (broadcast) or Julie Serkosky (print/web). We will meet with you to discuss your application and give you a permission number for the class. The course is graded A-F.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a for-credit internship?

A for-credit internship is a good way to get professional experience before you graduate.

All journalism majors who plan to work in the field after graduation need to get on-the-job experience while in college. There are several ways to do this. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Many students will choose to get experience in several ways. One way to get experience is to enroll in JOUR 4091: Supervised Field Internship.

How does a for-credit internship compare with other types of professional experience?

 

For-credit internship

Paid internship (summer job)

Part time work

Freelancing

Cooperative Education

Paid?

Not usually

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Credit?

Yes

No

No

No

No

Who sets it up?

You and Department

You

You

You

You and Career Services

How much work is required?

15 hours per week

Varies

Varies

Varies

Full time, six to eight months

When can I do it?

After prerequisites met. Usually senior year.

Any time

Any time

Any time

After completing 24 credits

Who can do a for-credit internship?

JOUR 4091: Supervised Field Internship is open only with the consent of the instructor. To be eligible you must have completed:

  • JOUR 2000W: Newswriting I
  • JOUR 2001W: Newswriting II
  • JOUR 3002: Journalism Ethics.

If you are seeking a broadcast news internship, we recommend completing JOUR 3040W: Radio and TV Newswriting; if you are seeking an editing internship, we recommend completing JOUR 3030W: Copy Editing I.

What is expected of me? What can I expect?

You should be able to report, write, or edit at the level that would be expected of someone in his or her first professional job. You will not be merely following working journalists around or getting coffee. You will be doing the job.

You are expected to work hard, to make brief weekly reports on your progress, to meet periodically with your instructor, and to submit a 1,000-word summary at the end of the semester. Print journalists are expected to submit copies of all of their clips. Broadcast journalists are expected to submit a tape, if they have one.

You can expect solid professional experience that will help you when you look for your first full-time job. You can expect your work supervisor to give you meaningful work and guidance. You can expect your instructor to monitor your progress, to offer advice when needed and to intervene if significant problems arise. Once you have signed on with an employer for an internship, you are committed to complete that internship.

When should I apply?

You apply in the semester preceding the internship. Apply in the fall for a spring internship. Apply in the spring for a summer or fall internship. Applications MUST be submitted as early as possible in the semester.

Field Internship Application

Where do for-credit interns work?

Where you work depends in large part on your skills and career goals. When we have students who have specialized interests, we try very hard to find internships that fit those students. Often, however, students find that our regular internship sites fit their needs well. Some of the places where we have placed interns recently include:

  • CTMirror
  • CTNewsJunkie
  • The (Willimantic) Chronicle
  • The (New London) Day
  • UConn Athletics Communications
  • UConn Today
  • Connecticut Mental Health Association
  • Hartford Business Journal
  • Fitness Magazine
  • Insurance News Network
  • Press office of the state Democrats
  • WFSB-TV
  • WVIT-TV
  • WILI Radio
  • WTIC TV & Radio
  • WTNH-TV
  • WABC-TV
  • ABC Sports Radio (New York)
  • NBC News New York
  • NBC Sports Stamford

How does the advising system work?

Before starting the first semester, students usually are advised by staff members in the CLAS Academic Services Center. Advisors show students the mechanics of the registration process and acquaint them with the General Education Requirements. Journalism pre-majors are advised within the department by Sarah Fillion, who advises only pre-majors.

When students are admitted to the major, they are advised by faculty members in the department. The student and his or her advisor discuss the student's interests and career goals and outline a plan of study and experiential activities designed to meet those goals and satisfy the requirements of the college and the department. The plan is kept in the student's permanent file in the department.

Each semester students refer to the plan of study when choosing courses for the next semester. The department provides ample opportunities for students to review their course selections with faculty members. When the courses are approved, the department allows the student to register online.

Why should I do a for-credit internship?

For the experience. Pure and simple.

How do I get started?

Complete the application form by the deadline. If your application is accepted, the instructor will meet with you and discuss a site for your internship.

The internship site decides whether it will accept you as an intern. In some cases (TV stations in particular) the site may have its own application form. In all cases, you will be asked to go for an interview. It's a good idea to have a basic resume available. If you need help, your instructor can provide a brief guide on how to prepare a resume.

The Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills also offers regular assistance with resume preparation. Before you begin your for-credit internship, you and your supervisor will fill out and return an Internship Agreement that sets out the basic guidelines for this experience.

How do I get a paid internship?

State and national news organizations often offer paid summer jobs that are called internships. Many of these internships have very early application deadlines — some as early as Nov. 1. A student who is interested in applying to a national internship program should start scouting for information early in the fall semester. News about internships is posted in the student resource room (Oak Hall 457) as soon as it arrives. Students should check there frequently.

Students interested in newspaper internships should go to the ASNE internship page which has listings from around the country. Students interested in magazine internships should check the website of the American Society of Magazine Editors. The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund offers a variety of excellent paid internships. The department administers a screening test for those internships each spring.

Students looking for paid internships should also consider joining professional organizations (most of which offer low student membership fees) for the assistance and opportunities that they provide. Those groups include:

Faculty advisors can offer advice about worthwhile national internship programs and provide guidance about how and when to apply for local jobs.