Why Internships?
Participating in an internship during college can significantly enhance a student's academic, professional, and personal development. Internships in journalism and mass communication offer immersive experiences in a fast-paced, evolving industry, making them especially valuable.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication encourages students to complete at least one internship during their academic career. Our graduates enjoy a 95% job placement rate six months after graduation, due in part to the skills acquired during their internship experiences (PCC survey).
81 %
Participation
JMC students who completed at least one internship prior to graduation (PCC Survey)
“Working for a national publication has always been a goal of mine, and this summer’s national news cycle has not disappointed.”
SCRIPT Requirement
Courses designated as Internship by the University of Iowa, and administered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, may be used to fulfill the SCRIPT experiential learning requirement for students in the major. These courses typically have a prefix of JMC, EVNT or SMC.
Internship Spotlights
What does an internship in this industry look like?
An internship in any field of study should provide meaningful work that contributes to the organization and incorporates mentorship and feedback from a professional. Ideally, a student intern has the opportunity to learn new skills while experiencing workplace dynamics and professional collaboration. Internships can be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, taken for academic credit or 0 credit, and span several weeks to several months. Professional tasks for an intern in the field of journalism and mass communication may include:
News & Print Media
Assisting in content creation and reporting for newspapers, magazines, or other outlets by covering events, conducting interviews, writing and editing articles, localizing wire content, and rewriting press releases under tight deadlines.
Photojournalism & Videography
Capturing and editing visual content for an organization by filming events, editing footage and photos, assisting with pre-production, managing media assets, and collaborating with editorial teams to support visual storytelling.
Broadcast Journalism
Supporting TV or radio production through scriptwriting, editing, and research. Operating broadcast equipment, interviewing sources, and contributing to content development for live or recorded segments.
Sports Media
Assisting with game coverage, writing recaps and features, creating social media content and post-game summaries, editing video highlights, conducting interviews, and supporting production for sports broadcasts or digital platforms.
Social Media & Content Management
Creating and managing multimedia content for websites and social media platforms through planning, creating, and scheduling posts, tracking engagement, editing photos and videos, and designing graphics.
Public Relations
Supporting public relations teams by writing press releases, managing media lists, assisting with campaigns, and creating public-facing materials while learning about public relations strategies and operations.
Strategic Communications
Assisting with internal and external messaging by drafting newsletters, reports, and branding materials. Supporting content creation, research, and campaign coordination while learning about brand consistency.
Data Analysis & Audience Research
Analyzing audience behavior and content performance using SEO and analytics tools. Learning how to track engagement, conduct research, create reports, and develop data-informed content strategies.
How do I get started?
Step 1
Begin searching for an internship early in your undergraduate studies to find an opportunity that resonates with your career interests. Opportunities can be found in Handshake, LinkedIn and within weekly notifications from the department. Review Finding an Internship on the Pomerantz Career Center's website for more tips and resources.
Not sure where to start?
JMC:2005 Preparing for Internship Success Seminar
Step 2
Check with your academic advisor to discuss potential credit needs and schedule a meeting with the Internship Coordinator, Michelle Sillman. Michelle will help you:
- Determine whether your potential internship qualifies for credit
- Decide which course is most appropriate to enroll in (review course options below)
- Obtain permission to register on MyUI
Step 3
Register for your internship course on MyUI during the same academic term as the internship experience and follow registration deadlines. Credit cannot be awarded retroactively.
INTERNSHIP COURSE OPTIONS (click to expand)
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JMC:2005 | Preparing for Internship Success Seminar | 2 |
| JMC:2100 | Internship in Journalism and Mass Communication | 0-3 |
| JMC:3700 | Nonprofit Internship | 3 |
| EVNT:2110 | Internship in Event Management | 3 |
| SMC:3600 | Internship in Sport and Media | 1-3 |
| SPST:3600 | Internship in Sport and Culture | 1-3 |
| CCP:1201* | Academic Internship | 1-3 |
| * Pomerantz academic internship CCP:1201 should only be used to fulfill the SCRIPT requirement for an internship in a student's second area of study. | ||
JMC:2100 Internship in Journalism and Mass Communication
Most students in the major register for JMC:2100 to receive academic credit or transcript notation for participating in an internship experience. This course is structured to encourage deeper reflection of the experience and guide students in making informed career choices.
For an internship to qualify, the position must:
- Be clearly defined and related to your academic coursework and/or professional goals.
- Include professional responsibilities at least 80 percent of the time.
- Be directly supervised by a professional, not a student or relative.
- Include a minimum of 75 total work hours over the length of the experience.
Refer to the FAQs below for more information on course details and registration.
| credit Earned | total hours |
|---|---|
| 0 s.h. | 75 hours minimum |
| 1 s.h. | 75 hours minimum |
| 2 s.h. | 150 hours minimum |
| 3 s.h. | 225 hours minimum |
| Example: An internship requires that you work 20 hours per week during the summer term. The number of semester hours earned is calculated as 20 hrs X 8 weeks = 160 total hours = 2 s.h. | |
JMC:2100 FAQs (click to expand)
Am I placed in an internship?
No. You must search for and secure an internship yourself prior to registering for JMC:2100. For helpful tips and resources, review Finding an Internship on the Pomerantz Career Center's website.
What are the course assignments and grading policy?
JMC:2100 is graded on a S/U basis only. You will earn a satisfactory (passing) grade if you fulfill the minimum hours requirement, engage in sufficient professional activities, and submit all course assignments through the ICON course site. Assignments may include:
- Weekly reflection activities
- Polishing your resume
- Providing a 2-page reflective essay
- Completing a post-internship survey
Who qualifies as a professional supervisor?
A professional supervisor is someone who works for the organization on a consistent basis, directly oversees the intern’s daily work, and meets with the intern regularly to provide feedback. A professional supervisor may not be student or relative. Your JMC:2100 course instructor is not your supervisor.
Why might I register for 0 s.h.?
Registering for 0 s.h. allows you to fulfill the SCRIPT requirement and document an internship on your transcript without incurring the tuition fees typically associated with credit-bearing courses. The 0 s.h. option can also be used when a student does not want or need additional hours to count toward the 56 s.h. limit of major credit that a student may apply toward their degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Are course assignments still required if I register for 0 s.h.?
Yes. To meet the learning objectives of the SCRIPT experiential learning requirement, approved internship courses require meaningful, reflective assignments that help you connect the experience to your academic and career pursuits. Whether you register for 0, 1, 2, or 3 credits, these structured assignments serve to enrich your learning experience.
Can I repeat the course?
Yes. You may repeat JMC:2100 up to a maximum of 6 s.h. Please note that all course assignments are required to be completed for each re-enrollment. Students may not reuse assignments from a previous term.
What if I need to drop the course?
If you terminate your internship early and/or need to drop JMC:2100, you must initiate the change request on MyUI and follow university course deadline dates. If such a request is made after the drop deadline without authorization from your academic advisor, you will receive an unsatisfactory grade.
Can I enroll in JMC:2100 after I've completed my internship?
No. You must register for the course during the same academic term as your internship experience. Course assignments are designed to enhance your internship experience and must therefore be completed simultaneously.
Partnerships
Discover how our students are helping to fill gaps in local news coverage.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication continues to invest in partnerships with community newspapers and local nonprofits to create unique hands-on learning opportunities for its students. These collaborations allow student interns to work directly with editors in a structured environment to produce high-quality content for community newspapers and the residents they serve.
Who can help me?
Michelle Sillman
Michelle is the primary contact for journalism and mass communication students who are interested in searching for and acquiring internships or jobs.
michelle-sillman@uiowa.edu
E350E Adler Journalism Building
319-335-3427
Anna Newnum
Anna provides academic advising assistance to undergraduates majoring in journalism and mass communication.
anna-newnum@uiowa.edu
E350D Adler Journalism Building
319-335-3845
Jenny Noyce
Jenny is located in the Pomerantz Career Center and provides general guidance and support to all undergraduate students seeking internships or employment.
jennifer-noyce@uiowa.edu
C310 Pomerantz Center
319-335-1023
Financial Support
School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC)
SJMC awards more than $25,000 in salary stipends and scholarships every year to JMC students pursuing an internship experience. More information can be found on the SJMC Scholarships and Awards website.
Hawkeye Experience Grant
The grant awards stipends in variable amounts for undergraduate students at the University of Iowa who are involved in applied learning experiences outside of the classroom. Students receive funds to support their living expenses while doing an unpaid or underpaid internship. More information can be found on the Pomerantz Career Center website.