TV, newspaper media internships available

It's not too late to secure a summer internship. Here are some new opportunities for students interested in interning with a newspaper or TV station:

** Abilene's KTAB-TV and KRBC-TV are looking for six summer interns, and some of these interns may be appropriate for Ad/PR and electronic media majors as well as journalism majors. The categories include: reporting, producing, writing, assignments, Web writing, Web design, social media, sports, anchoring, videography and video editing. Interested students should e-mail Austin Kellerman at akellerman@ktab.tv.

** The Austin American-Statesman newspaper is looking for a photo intern for this summer. This is an 11-week internship that pays $450 per week and includes apartment style housing at a nearby university. Our interns routinely produce more than 100 front page and section-front bylines and credits during a summer. Additional
information is available on the newspaper's Web site at www.statesman.com/internships.

** The West Texas Tribune, an African-American community newspaper based in Abilene, is seeking a summer news intern. For further information, visit the newspaper's Web site at www.westtexastribune.com and call Floyd Miller at 325-829-5585.

Myra Dean shares tips from employers for interns, new employees

Note: Myra Dean, development director at KACU-FM, recently spoke to the JMC internship class.  She shared a survey of employers about their expectations for interns and entry-level employees.  What follows is a summary of Myra’s remarks.

Managers in the broadcast industry were asked, “If you could give soon-to-be-graduates some key pieces of information that would make their professional lives better, what would you say?  What should graduates do to make them more successful from the start and make the transition easier?”

Here are a few of the most common responses; some may be surprising:

• Listen and ask questions.  You may have new answers and approaches, but listen first.  When you’re talking, you’re not listening.  People, especially bosses, notice. 
• Understand the appropriate use of electronic media and technology at work.  
• It’s not OK to text at work.
• Don’t answer cell calls during meetings and don’t carry it in your hand constantly.
• It is not OK to Facebook or chat during office hours.  Check in during breaks, not business hours.
• Using texting and messaging slang; lol, idk, btw, etc. is never appropriate when work related.
• Don’t write anything negative on your Facebook page.  It WILL get back to your boss.  Be aware, e-mails are forever.   
• Communicate:  with bosses, co-workers and clients.  If there is any confusion, confirm by e-mail.  Document problems by e-mail and copy to yourself. Don’t wait until deadlines have passed to tell your supervisor you’re overwhelmed. 
• Dress Code:  See what your supervisor is wearing and dress accordingly.  Dress for the job you WANT, not the job you have.  Cover tattoos and remove piercings. 
• Stay out of office politics; take a course in conflict management; if you have anger issues, seek counseling and get past it. No competent manager tolerates a ticking time bomb in these days of workplace violence.
• Show up early, stay late, clean the office microwave; i.e. do more than is expected. 
• And finally, keep your work and personal life separate.  Avoid gossip and be careful what you say and do in the office.  When on company business, be careful how you act in public.

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. 

To whom it may concern: Five mistakes HR managers warn against on résumés and cover letters: PRSA

Spring semester is resume-writing time for many students who are either hoping to graduate in May or are looking for summer internships.  In today's tight job market, learning the fine art of how to draft job-getting resumes and cover letters has never been more important. 

Fortunately, good advice on writing resumes and cover letters is plentiful, but this article from the Public Relations Society of America should be a must-read for all students prior to drafting their first resume and cover letter.  Here's the link:

To whom it may concern: Five mistakes HR managers warn against on résumés and cover letters: PRSA

For more help with resumes and cover letters, see the list of resources in the left-hand column of this blog.  Some excellent sources to consider are the ACU Career Center, CollegeGrad.com and Vault.  

So what are you waiting for?   Sending out resumes is like tossing your baited hook in the water.  You may need a lot of bait and plenty of patience to catch a fish, but you're guaranteed to NOT catch one if you don't put the line in the water.  An occasional fish may jump in the boat on its own, but don't count on it. 

Summer, or graduation for some, will be here soon.  Now's a good time to get your resume polished and to start sending them to your targeted list of potential employers.  Happy fishing. 

Career Fair, State Department Jobs Session Planned

The ACU Career Center is promoting two excellent programs this month for students interested in internships, jobs and career advice.   Add these events to your calendar:

• The West Central Texas Career Consortium is hosting a Career Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Abilene Civic Center.  This event is a career and internship fair for students that features career workshops, resume evaluations and the chance to do mock interviews.  Professional dress is required and students are encouraged to bring copies of their resume.  You may view a list of participating employers at http://www.wctcc.org/attendees.htm. 
• Come learn about working and traveling overseas when the U.S. Department of State visits ACU from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the Lynay Room of the Hunter Welcome Center.  Sponsored by the Career Center, this informational session will explore international careers with the U.S. government.  Students must RSVP to attend (lunch is provided).  To reserve your spot, RSVP via e-mail to careers@acu.edu. 

Act now to secure spring, summer internships

School is back in session and memories of Christmas are fading fast, so it's a good time to crank up your search for a great internship.  Now is the time to polish the resume, update the portfolio and start the search.

Here are a few of the many opportunities available:

• Zachry Associates, Abilene's premier advertising and marketing agency, is seeking a student to work this summer in their marketing research department, with work in other departments as needed.  The intern should have good communication skills both in person and on the phone and have an interest in marketing strategies.  The position reports to Tim Graham, research coordinator, who may be reached by e-mail.  For more information about Zachry Associates, visit www.zachryinc.com. 
  
• The Dallas Business Journal has two summer 2010 internships available, ideal for Ad/PR majors or journalism majors who are interested in business side of publications.  The DBJ is offering a 12-week internship for minority students with positions in advertising/sales, circulation, marketing and business operations.  Candidates must be college sophomores, juniors or seniors and a member of an ethnic minority.  The internship involves 40 hours per week of work and pays $10 per hour.  The DBJ also offers an advertising sales internship, with up to 12 hour of work for 40 hour per week.  The pay is $400 per week.  The deadline for submission is Wednesday, Jan. 20, so act now if interested.  Please submit applications to Claire Choisnet, marketing coordinator, by e-mail.  
• ConocoPhillips, an international, integrated energy company, is seeking applicants for a summer internship in the company's Corporate Affairs department in Houston.  Successful candidates will work a 40-hour week for a two-month period during the summer.  Applicants must be pursuing a degree in public relations, journalism or advertising and have completed their junior year of work by this summer.  Previous work experience in journalism, public relations or advertising is preferred.   Applicants should have a 3.5 GPA or higher.  Visit the ConocoPhillips Web site for more information, or e-mail me for details. 
• The U.S. Olympic Committee invites students to apply for a summer internship at its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo.  The contact person is Andy Goyne, manager of video production.  E-mail me for more details. 
• Horizon Wind Energy seeks applications for a communications analyst internship this summer in Houston.  The position will involve a variety of public relations tasks, including writing news releases, assisting with event planning, creating PowerPoint presentations and organizing photo archives.   Undergraduates and recent graduates are invited to apply at the company's Web site.
  

 Many more internship opportunities exist.  Visit online job boards (one of my favorites is www.indeed.com) and visit the Web sites of student and professional organizations such as SPJ, PRSSA, AAF, IABC and PRSA.  For a more complete list of professional sites, see the left-hand column of this blog and look for "JMC Professional Organizations." 

PR rated as a top career choice

U.S. News and World Report recently ranked public relations as one of the top 50 career choices for the decade ahead.  Read why and learn more about what public relations professionals do by clicking here.

Part-time jobs, internships offer JMC experience in Abilene

Here's one more item for your "to do" list before leaving campus for the holidays: secure a part-time job or internship for the spring semester that will enhance your resume. 

Final exams and plans for the Christmas break may be dominating your thoughts right now but here are a couple of opportunities worth checking out before you pack the car, turn out the lights and hit the road:

• Abilene Christian University Press is looking for a part-time student worker (10-15 hours per week) who can perform a variety of public relations, marketing and administrative tasks.  Dr. Larry Fitzgerald, director of marketing, said he prefers someone who can work in December and January during the break and possibly next summer.  For the right student, this position may qualify for a JMC internship.  You can learn more about ACU Press (and Leafwood Publishers) by visiting their Web site.  You may reach Dr. Fitzgerald at lxf07a@acu.edu or by calling 325-674-2870. 
  
• West Texas Rehabilitation Center is seeking a part-time (20 hours per week) administrative assistant for their marketing department.  While this position is primarily administrative, it is a chance to gain experience in one of the city's busiest and most successful nonprofit marketing departments.  Applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel, have an outgoing personality and a good work ethic.  This is a year-round position, not just for the school year, so the applicant must live in the Abilene area and be available during the summer and school holidays.  To apply, contact Deonna Galbraith, marketing director, at dgalbraith@wtrc.com or call 325-793-3525.

While we have no specific requests, keep in mind that Abilene's media outlets are often looking for part-time help or interns.  This includes TV stations, radio stations and the Abilene Reporter-News newspaper. 

Best wishes to everyone on final exams and your plans for the Christmas holiday.