Partnering Organizations Information

Partnering Organization Overview

The Center assists more than 130 School of Communications undergraduate students in 16 academic programs each year in securing credit bearing internships across the country. To ensure students are prepared for their internship, the Center works hard to provide career path advice to students, advise students of internships related to their skills, knowledge and interests and provide students with resources necessary to achieve success.

• Students must meet academic prerequisites to be eligible to participate in the internship program.
• Students work one-on-one with the director of the Center to explore opportunities that relate to their academic program. Students apply directly to organizations of their choice.
• Student interns enroll in the credit bearing internship course, participate in monthly seminars and complete academic assignments during the semester. Internships for most students are a graduation requirement.
• Students receive a letter grade upon completion of their internship; 50% of the grade is based on their performance at the internship site (based on your evaluations) and 50% based on their academic requirements.
• Students are required to complete a minimum of 192 hours at an internship site over the course of a semester. Semesters run from August through December (Fall), January through May (Spring) and June through July (Summer).
• Internships strive to advance the education of the student, provide an opportunity for students to learn from a seasoned professional and receive feedback on their performance in a professional environment.
• Interns can be paid or not, depending on the organization. Learn more at Position Statement on U.S. Internship provided by National Association of Colleges & Employers .
• Internship supervisor or mentor must be open to hosting an on-site visit by the Center's director.

Benefits of Hiring a Webster University School of Communications Student Intern

The School of Communications (SOC) offers a rich curriculum providing an education in theory and practice for all 16 academic programs. Our students seek internships that allow them to apply academic knowledge and experiences in a professional industry setting. SOC interns bring fresh ideas and new perspective to an organization, are dedicated to continuing to learn about their field and will have a desire to achieve. Last but not least, SOC interns will bring ready and willing attitudes and will want to impress.

We are looking for organizations that offer:

• Mentorship: Your organization is required to have a seasoned professional willing and able to mentor an intern in the student's specific field.
• Real projects: Interns are given the opportunity to accomplish their learning objectives and project and challenged with ongoing learning opportunities. Students seek to add projects accomplished and skills learned at your organization to their portfolio upon completion of the internship.
• Work space and resources: Interns will be provided a work space with in commercial setting and all of the needed resources (software, equipment, etc.) to fulfill their internship.
• Networking opportunities: Allow interns to network with leaders in your organization and introduce them to colleagues outside your organization.
• Reference/Recommendation: Interns seeks to develop professional relationship that will be able to attest to their skill and experiences.

Submit the Internship Information Form

Once you determine your organization's commitment, complete and submit the Internship Information form. As you complete this form, please describe the internship position in detail including the objectives, responsibilities, outcomes and how this internship will be educationally significant for the student.

Submit the Internship Information Form to the Center for Portfolio Development and Internships. Once reviewed and approved, your position will be entered into the Center's database and shared with students.

 

Mentoring Tips for Partnering Organizations

Establishing a mentoring relationship requires dedication, commitment of time and patience. As an internship mentor you will play an important role in the professional development of student intern. Please consider the following to get you started:

• Provide an orientation. It is important to orient the intern to their new environment. Depending on the size of your organization, this may be more formal or informal. Provide any written guidelines you may have, an intern handbook, with frequently asked questions. Introduce the student to your co-workers, upper management. Let them know where to find the restrooms, lunch room, supply cabinet, passwords etc. If you have an organization chart share it them
• Establish learning objectives and ongoing project. Take the time to discuss with the intern what they are looking to get out of the internship. Early in the semester, the intern is required to define two learning objectives and an ongoing project. Helping your intern to develop the objectives and project is critical to the success of the student achieving them during the internship.
• Give ongoing feedback. Student interns cannot get enough feedback. For many students this may be their first experience in a professional media communications environment. They are there to learn so set aside time to share and review, time for the intern to ask questions and receive feedback. Look for different situations and methods of giving feedback, one on one, groups, written, face-to-face.
• Provide performance reviews. Academic internships require formal evaluations. You will receive a mid-term and final evaluations. Please plan to complete and then review with the student face to face. Constructive criticism and recommendations for continued growth are essential. The formal evaluation cover 13 performance indicators. Learn more at evaluation (PDF).