Why Internships?
Gain a competitive edge.
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 (PCC survey), due in part to the skills acquired during their internship experiences.
"I’ve been able to meet players, learn their stories, interact with fans, and grow as a coworker and person here."
81 %
JMC graduates who completed at least one internship
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.
What does an internship in this field 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 0-3 credits, and span several weeks to several months.
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.
Getting Started
Step 1
Search for an internship that resonates with your career interests. Opportunities can be found in Handshake, LinkedIn and department notifications. Review Finding an Internship on the Pomerantz Career Center's website for more tips and resources.
Step 2
Schedule a meeting with the Internship Coordinator to determine whether your internship qualifies for credit and which course is most appropriate to enroll in.
Step 3
Register for an internship course on MyUI during the same academic term as the internship experience and follow registration deadlines. Credit cannot be awarded retroactively.
FAQs
Am I placed in an internship?
No. You must search for and secure an internship yourself prior to registering for a course. For helpful tips and resources, review Finding an Internship on the Pomerantz Career Center's website.
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 a student or relative. Your course instructor is not your supervisor.
How many credits should I register for?
The number of credits to register for is determined by the anticipated number of hours worked at your internship.
| Minimum Hours Worked | Credit Earned |
|---|---|
| 75 total hours | 0 s.h. |
| 75 total hours | 1 s.h. |
| 150 total hours | 2 s.h. |
| 225 total hours | 3 s.h. |
Why might I register for 0 s.h.?
Students have the option to register for 0 s.h. if they don’t want or need additional credit to meet graduation requirements.
Registering for 0 s.h. allows you to:
- Document an internship experience on your transcript without incurring the tuition fees typically associated with credit-bearing courses.
- Fulfill the SCRIPT experiential learning requirement.
Can I enroll in a course 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.
What if I need to drop the course?
If you terminate your internship early and/or need to drop your internship course, 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.
Read About Our Interns
What are my course options?
Undergraduate students are encouraged to register for a course whenever they participate in an internship. This ensures that students receive academic credit or transcript recognition for their efforts. The following courses are designated as Internship by the University of Iowa and fulfill the SCRIPT experiential learning requirement for students in the major.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||
Internship Success Seminar
Preparing for Internship Success Seminar is designed to help students with career exploration, professionalism, résumé development, and interviewing in preparation for an internship search.
JMC:2100 Internship in Journalism and Mass Communication
Most students in the major register for JMC:2100 to receive credit for participating in an internship experience. The course is structured to encourage deeper reflection of the internship experience and help guide students in making informed career choices.
JMC:2100 Eligibility
- Internship must be clearly defined and occupy at least one academic term (fall, spring, or summer).
- Responsibilities must include 80% professional tasks related to your academic or career goals.
- Position must be directly supervised by a professional, not a student or relative.
- Internship must include a minimum of 75 work hours over the length of the experience.
JMC:2100 Assignments
Course assignments help you connect the internship experience to your academic and career pursuits. Assignments are submitted through ICON and may include:
- Weekly activities
- Reflective narrative
- Post-internship evaluation
Our Partnerships
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 sustained collaborations allow student interns to work directly with editors or directors in a structured environment to produce high-quality content for the residents they serve.
Who can help me?
Michelle Sillman
michelle-sillman@uiowa.edu
E350E Adler Journalism Building
319-335-3427
Jenny Noyce
jennifer-noyce@uiowa.edu
C310 Pomerantz Center
319-335-1023
Financial Support
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
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
Undergraduate students receive stipends in variable amounts to support their living expenses while doing an unpaid or underpaid internship. More information can be found on the Pomerantz Career Center website.