Act now to secure summer internships

From Washington to Warsaw, internship opportunities abound for this summer, but time is running short to secure some of the most popular programs.  Here's a sampling, but if you're interested in meeting your JMC internship requirement this summer, let me encourage you to not stop with this list but do a thorough search of JMC-related professional Web sites and online job boards. 

• This is the final week to apply for the Institute on Political Journalism, an annual summer internship in Washington, D.C., sponsored by The Fund for American Studies in partnership with Georgetown University.  While the focus is on government and politics, this internship is suitable for both journalism and public relations students.  In addition to attending classes at Georgetown, students are placed with top news organizations and public relations firms.  Last year's class interned at NBC Nightly News, the Washingtonpost.com, Telemundo, the Washington Times and Edelman Public Relations, among others.  The Institute on Political Journalism will meet for eight weeks, June 6-July 31.  The final deadline to apply is this Friday, March 5.  For details, visit www.DCinternships.org/IPJ.   
• Best Buy is offering internships at its corporate headquarters in Richfield, Minn.  This is a 10-12 week program.  For more information, visit http://www.bestbuy-jobs.com/go/students-and-entry-level-positions/28821/ and check out their YouTube video.  
• Rackspace, a San Antonio company recently named No. 43 on Fortune Magazine's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work for," is seeking applicants for its corporate communications internship this summer.  Earning $10 per hour, interns may work on stories for Web sites or blogs or assist with audio or video production or other multimedia projects.  For information, visit http://www.rackspacecareers.com/index.php?page=studentjoblistings.  
• MWW Group, one of the nation's top public relations agencies, is advertising for interns in its Dallas office.  Interns will be assigned to the Samsung Mobile account, the office's largest client.  For more information, see http://jobs-mwwgroup.icims.com/.  Look for job code 1262.  
• The Scripps Networks, the dominant media and marketing company in the home, food and lifestyle categories, invites students to apply for its summer internship program at its headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn.  Interns can work in advertising, public relations or interactive/new media.  Scripps Networks includes the TV brands HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network and Great American Country (GAC).  Candidates must be a college senior with strong writing/editing skills (including AP style) and be receiving college credit.  For details, visit http://www.scrippsnetworks.com/category2.aspx?code=internstu. 
• Native American journalism students are invited to apply for the annual American Indian Journalism Institute, a training, scholarship and internship program to be held June 16-25, followed by a six-week internship assignment.  The deadline to apply is March 19.  For more information, see www.freedomforumdiversity.org. 
• Media and journalism internships are available this summer in Warsaw, Poland, through Collegium Civitas.  The program runs from June 1 - July 31 and includes 25-30 hours per week of internship with a Polish media outlet, plus classroom time and Polish language training.  The program is in English.  For information, see http://www.globaleducationleadership.org/apply/HowtoApply.html.  
• Finally, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., has announced a public relations professional internship program for this summer or next fall.  Interns will support Walt Disney World's Group & Convention business and the Disney Institute.  The work will include media relations, press releases, internal communications and special projects.   Interns must be juniors or seniors majoring in public relations or marketing.  The application deadline is March 26.  Visit this Web site for details: https://disney.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_Profile.cfm?szOrderID=227636.