Internship FAQ

*** See updated information at the post titled "Important New Rules for JMC Interns" dated 9/8/2010 ***

Your internship can be one of the most exciting and valuable parts of your JMC education at ACU. To make sure you receive credit for your internship and to maximize your experience, please review the following questions and answers.

Q: Am I required to complete an internship?

A: Yes. All JMC majors must complete both an internship and the internship class (JMC 495) in order to graduate. There are no exceptions.

Q: When is the best time to complete my internship?

A: You should have completed 75 hours of college credits prior to starting your internship, including your core JMC classes. Many students complete their internship in the summer between their junior and senior years, or during the fall or spring semesters in Abilene during their junior or senior years. You must complete your internship and submit all necessary paperwork before the end of your senior year in order to graduate on time.

Q: What if I'm a sophomore but have a chance to do an internship?

A: The more JMC-related work experience you can get on your resume, the better. We encourage JMC students to complete more than one internship and many do so. You can complete as many internships as you wish, but only one counts for academic credit. If you're a sophomore and get a chance to do an internship, by all means go for it, but you may need to do another internship later for JMC credit. An exception to this rule is for students who are approved to participate in a JMC-related internship offered through the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Students may be approved to participate in these programs following the completion of their sophomore year. For more information on CCCU internships, click here.

Q: When should I take the internship class, JMC 495?

A: Students are strongly encouraged to take this class prior to starting their internship. In the class, we discuss the paperwork requirements for the JMC internship and talk about where to find suitable internships. We also offer practical training in resume writing and interviewing for jobs. Most semesters, one or more JMC employers will speak to the class and offer their perspective on what they look for when hiring interns or entry-level employees. If you are a sophomore or junior, talk with your JMC academic adviser, Cara Lee Cranford, about when is the best time for you to take JMC 495. Click here to e-mail Cara Lee Cranford.

Q: How many hours must I work at my internship?

A: The minimum number of hours is 160, but many students work more than this. The 160 hours may be divided up in a number of ways, to best meet the needs of the student and the employer. You can complete your internship in as few as four weeks by working 40 hours per week, or you can work 12 to 15 hours per week during the fall or spring semesters.

Q: How much do interns get paid?

A: We think all employers should pay students for the work they do, but that is often not the case. Many employers do not pay interns, but some offer educational stipends or discounted housing arrangements. If you get a paid internship, consider yourself fortunate.

Q: OK, I'm ready to start. What's my first step?

A: If doing an internship for credit, you must notify the JMC internship director in writing (click here to send an e-mail) in advance, outlining what you plan to do. Include where you plan to work, who you will be reporting to (name and title) and the nature of the internship. We will then reply with either approval or questions.

Q: Why wouldn't you approve my proposed internship?

A: Most internships are approved, but the most common reason for our rejecting a proposed internship is that it isn't consistent with the student's JMC major. If you are an Ad/PR major, for example, then you need to find an internship in the advertising, public relations or marketing fields. Another common reason is the lack of an on-the-site supervisor with specific training and/or responsibilities in your field. A small church or nonprofit organization, for example, may want you to work for them as an intern because they have no one on staff who can do the type work you can do. That might be a worthwhile volunteer project, but it's not an approved internship, because we want you to be in a position to be mentored or coached by experienced supervisors. A third reason for rejection is if the job involves working for a family member or close friend. Sorry, you can't do your internship with mom or dad.

Q: What is the first form I must submit to get started on my internship?

A: Once you have our approval (see above), the first form that needs completing is a contract form, which we will provide to you. This form needs to be signed by you and your internship supervisor, and returned to the JMC internship director prior to your first day on the job.

Q: What are the employer's requirements?

A: We try to keep the paperwork simple for employers. The internship supervisor must agree to the terms on the contract form and be willing to complete mid-term and final evaluation forms, which we provide to you when you take JMC 495 or start your internship. It is the student's responsibility to follow-up and make sure the supervisor mails the evaluation forms to us. Please note that we will not accept evaluation forms directly from students because the evaluation is supposed to be confidential between the employer and the JMC department.

Q: Are there other paperwork requirements?

A: Interns must submit an internship portfolio that includes a typed daily work journal, work samples, a one-page introduction, answers to the post-fieldwork response form (which we provide) and a one-to-two-page executive summary. The correct format is to bind these items in a spiral-bound booklet with a title page and a clear plastic cover. All information must be typed, with the exception of work samples where typing would not be practical.

Q: Where do I find JMC internships?

A: We discuss this topic in more detail in the internship course, JMC 495. However, this blog is an excellent start. Look at the list of JMC professional organizations, many of which include job and internship postings on their Web sites. Watch for new postings on this blog throughout the year as new internship opportunities come available. ACU's Career Center is another excellent resource; see their CareerLink Web site. Don't forget about networking as a way to find internship leads. Talk with people you know who work in your chosen field. Attend chapter meetings or conferences of JMC professional organizations. Send e-mails or letters to companies that interest you.