Internships

Step 1: Obtain an Internship Related to Your Major

The Department of Communication does not coordinate internship placement for students. Here are some tips and resources to assist students with their internship search: 

• Research employers that will engage your professional interests and inquire directly with those companies to see if they hire interns. 
• If an organization you want to work with doesn’t have an existing internship, contact them to find out if and how you may set up an internship with them (do an internet search for “how to create your own internship” for ideas).
• Ask people in your own personal network that may be able to refer you to a potential internship position. Many students are able to obtain internships through networking. 
• Search internship postings at The Career and Professional Development Center.  Also contact your Career Services Counselor, Megan Randall for help with resumes/cover letters and interviews: MRandall@sa.utah.edu.  
• Hinckley Institute has a number of internships available for Communication students. Students can contact Courtney McBeth at courtney.mcbeth@utah.edu with questions regarding internship opportunities with Hinckley Institute. Please note: All students completing an internship through the Hinckley Institute must enroll in their Hinckley internship course- this course is separate from COMM 3610. The Hinckley internship course does not fulfill COMM 3610. Students must also enroll in COMM 3610 in order for the internship to count towards the Communication major. 

Step 2: Apply to COMM 3610

Once an internship has been attained, students can apply to the COMM 3610 Internship course to receive credit for their internship. Permission codes are emailed once a completed application is received and has been reviewed.  

Applications: 
Spring 2021 (January – April)  
Summer 2021 (May – July)
Fall 2021 (August – December)  

Additional processing time is required if your internship placement requires the Department of Communication to sign any supplemental agreements or contracts. Agreements and contracts will not be signed until students have been able to add the course. 

Step 3: Course Requirements

Students registered for COMM 3610 must complete the following requirements on assigned due dates to receive credit for the course:

1. CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
Students enrolled in COMM 3610 are required to complete class assignments throughout the semester. Assignments are accessed and submitted on CANVAS. There is no in-class time. 

2. INTERNSHIP HOURS
In addition to class assignments, students must complete 50 internship hours per credit hour they enroll in. The course can be taken for 1-6 credits. A minimum of one credit hour is required for the course to count towards the Communication major. Internship hours are verified with the internship supervisor at the end of the semester. 

1 credit: minimum 50 internship hours
2 credits: minimum 100 internship hours
3 credits: minimum 150 internship hours
4 credits: minimum 200 internship hours 
5 credits: minimum 250 internship hours
6 credits: minimum 300 internship hours

Email questions to cameron.vakilian@utah.edu