Step-by-step instructions for JMC students

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

If you feel unsure about what's involved in completing the JMC department's required internship, then relax. We get these questions all the time. So, here in an easy-to-follow format are the step-by-step instructions for starting and completing a for-credit internship that will satisfy our department's requirement:

1. Let's start with the basics. You must complete a 160-hour, JMC-appropriate internship in order to earn your degree from ACU with a major from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. You must also take the internship course, JMC 495, and complete the necessary paperwork (described below). Most students complete their internship during their junior or senior years. We require that you have completed 75 hours of university credits before starting your internship. You can do an internship in Abilene during the fall or spring semesters, typically working 12 to 15 hours per week, or you can complete an internship "back home" or anywhere in the world during the summer. The internship, and all supporting paperwork, must be completed before the end of your final semester of classes in order to graduate on time.

2. It's up to you to find an internship, but we're here to help. We recommend you take the internship course, JMC 495, prior to starting your internship. We discuss where to look for internships in that class. You can also browse the archive of previous posts on this blog for ideas and inspiration. In addition, this blog contains a listing of Web sites for JMC professional organizations and other sites that include internship and career information. Spend some time on those sites. Networking is probably the most common way of finding internships. Talk with professionals in your field and with JMC alumni. Attend conferences. The more people you know in your field, the better your chances of finding an internship.

3. Once you find an internship, you must e-mail me (click here) to get it approved. Do NOT start an internship without this approval. What we generally look for are: (a) Are you ready to start your internship? Have you earned at least 75 hours of credit? Have you completed your JMC core classes? (b) Is this an appropriate internship for your specific JMC major? In other words, the internship must be closely related to your chosen field of study, (c) Will you be working for an established organization and supervised (in person) by someone with training and/or responsibilities in your chosen JMC field of study? (d) Are you working for a close relative? Sorry, you can't do an internship with your spouse, mom, dad or sibling.

4. Next, you must submit to us the contract form we provide to you. You'll find a copy of this and other forms in the Internship Packet elsewhere on this blog. The contract form is due to use BEFORE your first day on the job. It must be signed by you and your supervisor. This form is largely for your protection, to ensure that the supervisor understands the nature of the commitment and agrees to submit the required mid-term and final evaluation forms.

5. Before starting your job, review the paperwork requirements for the internship portfolio, which you'll find in the Internship Packet on this blog. The requirements are also explained in the syllabus for the internship course, JMC 495.

6. From day one on the internship, be sure to keep a typed, daily log (journal) of your activities. This document will become an important part of your internship portfolio.

7. Explain to your supervisor about the mid-term and final evaluation forms. Then, follow up to be sure the supervisor mails the forms to us at the appropriate times. It's not uncommon for supervisors to forget, so don't be bashful about reminding them. By the way, we don't accept these forms from students. For obvious reasons, the evaluation forms must be mailed to us from the employer, in an envelope from the business.

8. Within four weeks of completing your internship, you must submit to us an internship portfolio, following the guidelines in the syllabus or packet. This portfolio should be in the form of a spiral notebook, with a clear plastic cover and a title page. Most copy stores or office supply stores can assemble this notebook for you at a nominal cost. If you are submitting a CD, DVD or other attachments, please include an appropriate sleeve that will securely hold your disk in place. Make sure your name is on any disks you include. In addition to the daily journal, the portfolio should include a one-page introduction, several work samples (photocopies are fine), an executive summary and your answers to the questions posed in the document titled "Post Fieldwork Response Form," which is included in the syllabus and packet. Please note that our accrediting body requires us to keep portfolios in the department, so the portfolios will not be returned to you. You may want to make a separate portfolio for your own purposes.

9. Once the portfolio is submitted and your mid-term and final evaluations are received by the JMC department, we can then assign you a letter grade, assuming you've completed the internship course.

10. That's it! You've now satisfied the requirements for the official JMC internship. However, many of you won't want to stop there. Internships are a great experience and look good on your resume. Some of you will want to pursue a second or third internship, but the good news is that you do not have to follow our paperwork and reporting process again. We only give credit for one internship.