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Department of Communication Studies

Comm 4410-Professional Internship

Internship Handbook

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ATTENTION ALL INTERNATIONAL PR

STUDENTS

If you are pursuing the Epley International PR

certificate, your job description for your internship

MUST be related to international PR. So you must be

doing work with clients that are international.

ATTENTION ALL HEALTH COMMUNICATION

STUDENTS

If you intern at any local hospital, you will be required

to complete a background check and drug test. Both

can be completed by contacting the Internship

Director regarding instructions.

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Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………….. 3 Rationale & Benefits of an Internship ………………………………. 3 Internships & Current/Previous Employment………………………. 4 Eligibility Requirements….……………………………………………. 4 Preparing For Your Internship (Information from the Spring 2008 Internship Seminars Developed by Johanna Bazemore) Professional Tips for Intern Job Search & Acquisition…….. 6 Resume/Cover Letter Seminar -Resume………………………………………………… 9 -Sample Resume………………………………………. 10 -Cover Letter …………………………………………… 11 The Interview -The Interview Process………………………………... 12 -Questions……………………………………………… 13 Business Etiquette -Business Etiquette and Tips…………………………. 14 -Business Etiquette Quiz……………………………… 15 -Business Attire………………………………………… 16 After Acquiring An Internship Application Procedures ………………………………………. 17 Credit, Placement, Compensation…………………………… 18 Obtaining & Using Internship Credit…………………………. 18 Student-Arranged Internships………………………………… 18 Compensation………………………………………………….. 19 Assignments……………………………………………………. 19 Appendix………………………………………………………… 21 Form I Student Contract Form II Request for Internship Form III Sponsor Overview Form IV Sponsor Information Form V Early Evaluation, Site Supervisor Form VI Early Evaluation, Student Form VII Final Evaluation, Site Supervisor Form IX Internship Checklist

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Policies and Procedures Revised April 2008

INTRODUCTION The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) Department of Communication Studies seeks to assist its students with opportunities to gain valuable experience and earn academic credit in work situations. Recognizing that internships are extremely important for students pursuing careers in communication, the Department of Communication Studies has developed an internship program which allows students to gain practical experience in a wide range of communication-related fields. These internships are designed to enrich the curriculum and to assist students in exploring various career options. Internships for credit are subject to the policy guidelines set forth in this handbook. Students must first meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for admission to the program. Enrollment in COMM 4410 is a privilege. Participation is based upon academic merit, not merely undergraduate longevity. Read this handbook carefully. As a student intern, you are responsible for knowing the information contained herein.

RATIONALE AND BENEFITS OF AN INTERNSHIP

1. Opportunity for "hands-on" experience. While students may learn a great deal of information in their courses, there is no substitute for direct experience in a professional environment. Internships allow students to gain direct experience. 2. Opportunity to sample various career options. Eligible students are encouraged to do multiple internships for the purpose of sampling different career areas. This enables students to find out where they might fit best in a professional environment. 3. Preparation for job searches. Students prepare resumes, write cover letters, and go through interviews as if they were applying for a job. This gives students valuable experience in preparation for employment. 4. Compilation of a portfolio. Certain internships allow students to compile their work in a portfolio. This portfolio can later be shown to potential employers. 5. Visibility for students from UNCC. Students are given the opportunity to demonstrate their professionalism. This enhances the reputation of the Department and the University and increases the credibility of a student's degree. 6. Enhances the maturation process. Since internships require a great deal of personal responsibility, the experience provides an important step in an individual's personal and professional maturation process. 7. Provides a confidence builder. Successful completion of an internship often provides a student with professional confidence. 8. Provides a professional learning experience. The internship allows opportunities for

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the development of practical skills in contexts where professional criticism is both immediate and constructive. It also furnishes students with opportunities to observe and understand connections between course work and skills needed to perform effectively in a given profession. Finally, internships aid in the identification of knowledge and skills essential to doing well in a particular profession. 9. Provides potential employment opportunities and/or contacts. Occasionally internships lead directly into employment opportunities. Although this is more the exception than the rule, internships certainly provide a student entry into a professional network. Contacts made through the internship can be invaluable sources of information for securing future employment. NOTE: Current Employment: Internships are intended to represent new learning experiences. They are also designed to involve the student in the complete job search process. Therefore, internship credit is not given for current or past employment activities. Furthermore, internship credit is not granted retroactive for previous internships that the student may have completed. There may be situations, however, where a student may wish to intern at an agency where he/she is employed in another capacity. This may be done according to the following guidelines: 1) the student obtains an internship in a department completely separate from the area where he/she is currently employed; 2) the intern's immediate supervisor is different from his/her current supervisor; and 3) the intern's site supervisor must write a letter to the internship supervisor verifying that the student's internship responsibilities are completely separate from the student's normal assigned duties.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Communication Studies has established the following eligibility requirements. These requirements reflect departmental policy. 1. The student must be of junior or senior standing. 2. The student must be a communication major or minor or journalism minor. 3. The student must have a 2.0 or better overall grade point average. THERE ARE NO

EXCEPTIONS TO THE GPA REQUIREMENT. 4. The student must have completed certain track requirements. Required track courses for students majoring in Communication Studies are: Mass Media COMM 3120 or COMM 4101 Public Advocacy COMM 2102, COMM 2103, or COMM 3130 Organizational COMM 3141 Public Relations JOUR 2160 and COMM 2145 Journalism JOUR 2160 and JOUR 3160 Health COMM 2100 and COMM 3115

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5. Students minoring in Communication Studies must have completed 1 of the following 5 courses before being eligible to commence an internship.

o COMM 3115-Health Communication o COMM 3120-Mass Media o COMM 3130-Communication & Public Advocacy o COMM 3141-Organizational Communication o COMM 2145-Principles of P R

Choice of internship location will coincide with the coursework taken. Therefore, students who take Health Communication will be expected to intern at hospitals, healthcare facilities, etc.

6. The student must submit a formal resume to the Internship Supervisor for the intern’s file. 7. Students are responsible for completing all required paperwork.

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Preparing For Your Internship

PROFESSIONAL TIPS FOR INTERNSHIP JOB SEARCH & ACQUISITION

1. Determine your professional objective in one phrase or sentence. Know what it is you want to do in a professional atmosphere and be able to relate it to the potential internship site coordinator. 2. Assess yourself. Comprehensively understand your: * Skills * Values & Ethics * Knowledge * Personal Preferences * Interests * Motivations * Competencies * Accomplishments

3. Develop a professional resume which reflects your own personality and style. A professional resume should have the following information included for the site supervisor’s consideration: * Heading * Professional/Educational Objective * Summary Statement (optional) * Employment History with Responsibilities and Accomplishments * Educational History/Background * Professional Development or Training * Licenses/Certifications * Memberships * Civic and/or Volunteer Activities You can utilize the sample resume in this manual, refer to other resume documents, or contact the Career Services Center on campus for resume assistance. 4. Define the target market which is related to the position of interest. This can be done via: * UNCC Internship Supervisor * UNCC Career Services Center * Area Chambers of Commerce * Yellow Pages * Directories * Newspapers * Employment Agencies * Word-of-Mouth

Create a list of potential sites for placement. Prioritize the sites based on your interests. 5. Contact the companies or organizations on your prioritized list. This can be done

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via: * Cold Calling * Appointment * Walking In * Correspondence

6. Follow the Guidelines for Successful Interviewing. Establish your credibility mentally, emotionally, and physically.

a. Attitude is immensely important. You must establish with the interviewer that you are a person of worth and integrity with a genuine right to be considered for the job. Be confident in your ability and respond openly and honestly using positive words, phrases, and body language.

b. Nonverbal communication can make or break an interview. This is known as

―Impression Management.― To indicate confidence and successful capabilities, you will need to adhere to the following nonverbal rules:

* Smile. * Offer a firm handshake. Close with a firm handshake. * Establish rapport as quickly as possible. * Pay special attention to your personal grooming. * Show interest, optimism, and enthusiasm. * Listen carefully throughout the interview. c. ―Dress for Success,‖ which includes the following: * Wear clothes that fit properly, are clean, and ironed. * Wear dark or conservative colors. * Wear minimal jewelry. * Make sure that fingernails, hair, and hands are clean and groomed. * Wear minimal, if any, perfume or cologne. * Wear conservative makeup. * Wear clean socks and shoes or run-free hose. * Wear clothing which is appropriate for the position applying for. * Have clean teeth and odor-free breath. * Do not wear a hat or cap during the interview. * Do not wear sunglasses during the interview. * Do not chew/suck on gum or candy during the interview. If you are unsure, remember that less is best, and conservative is safer if you really want the position. d. Have answers ―canned,‖ or prepared, to cover the following categories of potential conversation: * Background * Goals/Objectives * Skills * Experience * Education/Training * Strengths * Potential Problems * Weaknesses e. Know which topics are inappropriate, and possibly illegal, for an

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employer to ask: * Birthplace * Age * Birthday * Nationality * Race * Marital Status * Plans for Children * Ages of Children * Child Care Plans * Height * Weight * History of Drugs or Alcohol * Hobbies * Non-Work Related Activities * Feelings about Unions * Disabilities * Physical Limitations * Arrest Records Even though an employer cannot ask about arrest records in general, please note that an employer can ask if you have been convicted of a felony and this is not an illegal question. f. When preparing for the interview, you should do as much research as possible about the company. You should be aware of many factors such as its ―product,‖ size, history, stability, reputation, employer-employee relations, etc. g. Always take your stories of accomplishments and tailor them to fit the internship you are applying for. 7. The interview itself is your ―first day on the job.‖ a. Arrive early for the interview to obtain a ―sense‖ of the company demographics. b. When interviewing, listen carefully and only answer the questions asked. Respond with positive answers. And, please….. Don’t dominate the interview! c. Once you have completed the interview, ask yourself the following: * Can you do the job? Effectively? * Can you do the job at this particular company? * Can you do the job with these particular people? Do you ―fit?‖ If you answer yes to those questions, then you are ready to embark on a fun-filled professional experience as a UNCC intern which will help pave the way for your future career! d. Never leave an interview without knowing what happens next. Following up on an interview is an important aspect of the placement process. Proper protocol based on the interviewer’s rules is necessary, showing respect and desire to be placed with that company or organization. NOTE: Never take a “live” cell phone or pager into an interview. That is a sure-fire killer!

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RESUME

10 Things NOT To Do!

1. Have No clear focus

*your resume should show a match between your

skills, experience, and the job/internship

requirements

2. Be Dull

*it should be fun, market yourself so you get the

interview

*should be an announcement of your

accomplishments

3. Be Poorly Organized

*chronological order

4. Put Too much emphasis on old jobs

*think professional experience

*often high school experience is not as relevant as

college experience

5. Keep Important skills buried

*emphasize how and what you will add to the

company, not the reason you want the job

6. Be Drab looking

*do not use „cookie cutter‟ resume templates

7. Be Too personal

*this is not your facebook account, keep it

professional

8. Have One typo too many

*have students, peers, professors, and/or the career

center proofread your resume

9. Stretch the truth

* must be true and accurate

10. Skip the extras

*remember to include volunteer work, awards, or

any extra education

SOURCE: http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/careers-resumes/1598-1.html

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Name Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code Telephone Number(s)

E-Mail Address —————————————————————————————————————————— Professional Objective: Summary: (Optional) —————————————————————————————————————————— Employment History/Professional Experience: (Starting with most recent) Dates Employer From To City, State Position Responsibility/ies: Accomplishments: —————————————————————————————————————————— Educational Background: (Starting with most recent) Dates Name of Educational Institution City, State Degree Earned/Licensure Professional Development/Continuing Education: Technical Training/Skills: —————————————————————————————————————————— Military: Honors: (Optional) Civic/Volunteer/Association/Organizational Activities: (Optional) —————————————————————————————————————————– References: Note to Resume Preparer: * 11-12 CPI Preferred * Times New Roman or Arial Font Preferred * If Using Colored Paper, Use Pastel Colors Only (Buff, Cream, Beige, Blue, Gray) * Do Not Use “Artistic” Paper

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COVER LETTER

7 Things NOT To Do!

1. Address the letter as ‘Dear Sirs’

*try to find the name of who will be reading the cover letter

*or address as „ATTN: Humans Resources Department,‟ „Dear Employment

Recruiter,‟ etc.

2. Forget to say which position you are applying for

3. Send a cover letter with typos

*always have someone else proofread, check out

the career center on campus

4. Send a generic letter

*mention company‟s name, do your research on

the company

5. Appear desperate

*never state something along the lines of, “I‟ve

already sent out a bunch of resumes and heard

nothing back.”

6. Challenge them to hire you

*show employers with examples and your

experience why you would be a great asset to their

company

7. Focus on what you want

*state how your skills fit the job description and how you can

positively affect the company

SOURCE: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/career/?p=234

***Well written resumes and cover letters lead to interviews, which can lead

to amazing internship experiences!***

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INTERVIEW PROCESS

10 Things NOT To Do!

1. Don’t Prepare

*always, always, always prepare for an interview

*be sure to research the company you are interviewing for

2. Dress Inappropriately

*first impressions are crucial- look professional

*it is better to be overdressed than underdressed

*business casual or suit attire

3. Use Poor Communication Skills

*make eye contact

*firm, confident hand shake

4. Give Too Much Communication

*while communication is so important, be sure you are not exaggerating your communication (for

example: be careful not to talk too much with your hands because you are nervous)

5. Talk Too Much *do not just „blab‟ because you do not know what to say

*answer honestly, and avoid going off on tangents which have nothing to do with the question

you were asked

6. Don’t Talk Enough

*never just answer with yes or no, always elaborate

*if asked a question such as, “tell me about yourself,” this is an ice

breaker and be sure to take advantage of this question by preparing an

answer ahead of time

7. Give Fuzzy Facts

*do not make up an answer to a question

*again, be honest

8. Give the Wrong Answer

*never lie

9. Badmouth Past Employers

*never state that you are leaving your current job because your boss

was a jerk or something along those lines

10. Forget To Follow Up

*always send thank you letters after an interview

*be sure to get a business card so you can send a thank you

*if you can not get an address, e-mail follow ups do work as well

SOURCE: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/interviewblund.htm

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Interview Questions

Questions YOU could be asked in an interview:

Why do you want an internship or co-op with this organization? Why should we hire you for our internship program? Do your grades reflect your true ability? Why or why not? How many hours each week would you be able to devote to this internship? Would you be able to work beyond one semester? How would you handle conflicts between your school schedule and a

surprise, rush job here? What type of supervisor do you prefer to work under? How will this internship help you meet your career goals? Who is your least favorite professor? Why? What are your greatest strengths and biggest weaknesses? Give me an example from your past that shows the following: how you dealt

with difficult people; how you overcame an obstacle or solved a problem. Which of your courses, jobs, or school activities has prepared you for this

internship?

Possible questions YOU should ask:

Could you list some tasks and projects I would be involved with? Should I expect training or an orientation prior to beginning my internship? Would I receive a wage, stipend, or reimbursement for my expenses? Is there a dress code I would be expected to follow? Would I have regular meetings with my supervisor? I will need to take time off during my exam periods and during

holidays/breaks; is this acceptable? I am a full time student, are you flexible? How many other interns will there be? Have you had interns in the past?

Remember to:

-Smile!

-Be confident!

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BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

What is business etiquette?

-Etiquette is about presenting yourself with the kind of polish that shows you can be

taken seriously. Etiquette is also about being comfortable around people (and making

them comfortable around you!)

-The way you present yourself is crucial in the job process

Source: http://www.ravenwerks.com/practices/etiquette.htm

7 Refresher Tips on Business Etiquette

1. Answering the Phone

*state your name, the business, and inquire how you can help the person on the line

*never just state “Hello” as if it were your personal phone

2. Putting Customers on Hold

*no person enjoys being on hold

*take a message if you cannot provide quick and reliable information

*never leave someone on hold for over 1-2 minutes

3. Returning Messages

*Rule of Thumb: all messages left in the morning will be returned by the afternoon, and

afternoon messages will be returned the next morning

*always return messages

4. Acknowledging Everyone Who Enters the Business

*as an intern, you want to meet everyone possible in the business world

*take responsibility and introduce yourself, and never let someone enter the business

without you acknowledging them- it‟s just common courtesy

5. Punctuality

*never be late- if you have to be late be sure to call your supervisor to tell them when you

expect to arrive

*always arrive approximately 15 minutes early

6. Proper Business E-mail Usage

*treat e-mails like a business letter

*always include a greeting (even if the message has been going back and forth for several

rounds)

7. Workplace Cell Phone Usage

*leave your cell phone at home or in the car so you will not be tempted to use it

*if you have to bring it for emergency reasons- make sure it is set on vibrate/silent.

SOURCE: http://www.nfib.com/object/4269589.html

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Test Your Business Etiquette http://www.gradview.com/careers/etiquette.html

1. Your boss, Ms. Alpha, enters the room when you're meeting with an important client, Mr. Beta. You

rise and say "Ms. Alpha, I'd like you to meet Mr. Beta, our client from San Diego." Is this introduction correct?

2. At a social function, you meet the CEO of an important corporation. After a brief chat, you give him your business card. Is this correct?

3. You answer the phone for a peer who's available, and ask "Who's calling, please?" Are you correct? 4. You're entering a cab with an important client. You position yourself so the client is seated curbside.

Is this correct? 5. You're hosting a dinner at a restaurant. You've pre-ordered for everyone and indicated where they

should sit. Are you correct? 6. A toast has been proposed in your honor. You say "thank you" and take a sip of your drink. Are you

correct? 7. You're in a restaurant and a thin soup is served in a cup with no handles. To eat it you should:

a. pick it up and drink it b. use the spoon provided c. eat half of it with a spoon and drink the remainder

8. You're at a dinner and champagne is served with the dessert. You simply can't drink champagne yet know the host will be offering a toast. Do you:

a. tell the waiter "no champagne" b. turn over your glass

c. ask the waiter to pour water into your champagne glass instead d. say nothing and allow the champagne to be poured

9. You're at a table in a restaurant for a business dinner. Midway through the meal, you're called to the telephone. What do you do with your napkin?

a. Take it with you b. Fold and place it to the left of your plate c. Loosely fold it and place it on the right side d. Leave it on your chair

10. You're hosting a dinner party at a restaurant. Included are two other couples, and your most valuable client and his wife. You instruct the waiter to:

a. serve your spouse first b. serve your client's spouse first

c. serve you and your spouse last 11. You're invited to a reception and the invitation states "7:00 to 9:00 PM." You should arrive:

a. at 7:00 PM b. anytime between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM c. between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM d. go early and leave early

12. You're greeting or saying good-bye to someone. When's the proper time to shake their hand? a. When you're introduced b. At their home c. At their office d. On the street

e. When you say good-bye 13. You're talking with a group of four people. Do you make eye contact with:

a. just the person to whom you're speaking at the moment? b. each of the four, moving your eye contact from one to another? c. no one particular person (not looking directly into anyone's eyes)?

14. The waiter's coming toward you to serve wine. You don't want any. You turn your glass upside down. Are you correct?

15. When you greet a visitor in your office, do you: a. say nothing and let her sit where she wishes? b. tell her where to sit? C. say "Just sit anywhere"

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BUSINESS ATTIRE

Quick Solutions on What to Wear

-talk to your site supervisor about what they require of you to wear and get it in

writing

-“I've had more problems with students this semester not knowing what's expected

of them. Even when they dress up sometimes, the supervisors think it's too much.

The easiest way to combat this is to have the site supervisor draw up a dress code

specifically and sign off on it so the students know what to expect.” –S. Kuntzman

-KISS: Keep It Simple and Sophisticated!

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR

INTERNSHIP

The Interning Experience

-express to your site supervisor you do not want to „file papers,‟ that you want

responsibilities and a learning experience

-the internship process is like an independent study- treat it like your job

-if problems do occur at your internship talk directly with your site supervisor, it is

your responsibility to handle issues that arise to the best of your ability

-internship supervisors can be a great help to act as references and write letters of

recommendation in the future

I have carefully read the ―Preparing For Your Internship‖ section of the Internship Manual for the Professional Internship course and attest that I understand and will abide by the recommendations contained therein. Signature: ______________________________________________

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AFTER ACQUIRING AN INTERNSHIP Steps to complete including application procedures, getting credit, assignments etc.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

1. After reading the Internship Handbook, complete Form I-Student Contract.

2. Prepare a resume. If you have not completed a resume in a class, please go to the career center and they will assist you in the development and proofing of your resume. Your resume must be current and ready to go before I will provide you with contact information for internship sponsors.

3. Schedule an assessment interview with the Internship Director by emailing her at

svkuntzm@uncc.edu. Bring your resume and handbook, along with Form I from the Internship Handbook. It is extremely helpful if students peruse the internship bulletin board to research potential placements and opportunities before meeting with the internship supervisor. During this interview, professional objectives and placement opportunities will be discussed. At this time, contacts to possible placements may be made. Students may also wish to do further investigation into possible placements and schedule a subsequent appointment with the Internship Supervisor.

4. After the assessment interview, students are responsible for arranging interviews

with potential internship sites. Cover letters and resumes are generally sent by email first and then the student follows up with a phone call to the site. If you are unfamiliar with cover letters, please go to the career center for help, or go online to see examples. You may choose to call first to arrange an interview. However, it is your decision as to how you will request an interview.

5. Students must write formal thank-you letters after each interview (generally the day

after the interview), and students must provide copies of the thank-you letters to the UNCC Internship Supervisor.

6. After a student has been offered and has accepted an internship, the student must

complete the Student Contract (Form I), Request for Internship (Form II) and have the internship sponsor complete the Internship Sponsor Information Form (Form IV) and attach a job description. Finally, include a timeline of your work schedule including the date when your internship hours will be completed with your Site Supervisor’s signature and date. Each student is responsible for delivering all forms to the Internship Director by the deadline in order for a permit to be entered for your registration.

7. Students must return to Banner and register themselves for the internship

once a permit has been entered for them!

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CREDIT, PLACEMENT, COMPENSATION Students receive academic credit for an internship by enrolling in COMM 4410 (Internship) and successfully completing the pre-arranged requirements. Normally, no more than two different three-hour internships can be used to satisfy requirements of the major. Eligible students may earn up to 15 hours of COMM 4410 (Internship). These credits may be earned in three or six hour blocks. The first three hours may count toward a communication track elective or toward related course work. If a student is taking six hours at once, only the first three hours can count toward the track elective or related course work; the additional three hours count as general electives. If a student wishes, all internship credit may count toward general electives. Although students may earn a maximum of 15 hours of internship credit, students are limited to six hours of credit at any individual internship site in a given semester. A student earning three hours of credit must complete 120 working hours at an internship site. A student earning six hours of credit must complete 240 working hours at an internship site. Fall/Spring minimum 8 hours per week X 15 weeks = 120 working hours minimum 16 hours per week X 15 weeks = 240 working hours Summer minimum 12 hours per week X 10 weeks = 120 working hours minimum 24 hours per week X 10 weeks = 240 working hours Certain internships may require a greater amount of time commitment to earn the same credit. Students are encouraged to spend as much time at their internships as possible in order to maximize their learning experiences. All students must meet the minimum time requirements in order to receive credit for their internships. Students may obtain only one placement per semester. Furthermore, the Department of Communication Studies considers 16 credit hours of academic course work, internship credit and/or independent study credit to represent a substantial semester load. Therefore, students who register for three hours of internship credit should enroll in no more than twelve additional hours (normally four courses). Students who register for six hours of internship credit should enroll in no more than nine additional hours (normally three courses). Registration for COMM 4410 will be through the Internship Supervisor and the Department of Communication Studies. Internships offered through the Communication Studies Department are separate and different from the University Career Center. Student Arranged Internships Occasionally, students become aware of an internship opportunity that is not part of UNCC's current placement pool. If a student is interested in arranging his/her own internship, this must be done prior to the start of the internship in order to give the internship supervisor sufficient time to assess the quality of the placement. Students

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may NOT arrange internships at family-owned agencies and/or have family members as site supervisors. If arranging an internship with a company not on file with the UNCC Internship Supervisor, the student is responsible for providing Form III to the employer for review and consideration. Once the employer agrees that the student is eligible to complete an internship with the employer, Form IV must be completed and returned to the UNC Charlotte Internship Supervisor prior to the commencement of the internship. These forms can be found in the Appendix of the UNCC COMM 4410 Internship Handbook. Compensation Although most internships are not paid, occasionally students may be offered a stipend or financial compensation for their work. Students are strongly encouraged to choose their internships based on perceived value of the learning experiences rather than on the amount of money they might receive.

ASSIGNMENTS Because students do receive academic credit for internships, there are assignments to be completed and timelines to be observed. The timetable of an internship generally corresponds with the semester timetable of UNCC.

1. Twice a semester each internship student must meet with the Internship Supervisor to review activities and to describe feelings, reactions, questions, observations, and judgments concerning the internship. The first meeting is the early interview and the second meeting is the final exit interview. Early Evaluations will be scheduled in group meetings. Interns will be notified in advance of the meeting date, time and location. All interns are responsible for attending the early evaluation. Final exit interviews will also be scheduled according to class size and will either be individual or in group settings. Emails will also be sent notifying interns of date(s), time(s), and location.

2. To prepare for the early interview, about three or four weeks into the internship, each internship student has two responsibilities:

a. to submit a completed Early Evaluation: Student Feedback form

to the Internship Supervisor; b. to deliver to the site supervisor the Early Evaluation: Site Supervisor Feedback form and request its timely completion. Ask your Site Supervisor to place it in a sealed envelope with their signature on the back. Both the student feedback and site supervisor feedback will be discussed during the early interview. Remember that interns are required to attend 1 of 2 sessions held for the early interview.

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3. At the end of the internship, each intern student will complete a final exit interview. Once again, final exit interviews will be scheduled at the early interview. The intern must submit the following items at the final exit interview:

a. the Final Evaluation: Site Supervisor Feedback. Remember to submit this form to your Site Supervisor and request its timely completion. Ask your Site Supervisor to place it in a sealed envelope with their signature on the back. This form must be received before your final exit interview can be conducted.

b. to submit a completed Final Evaluation: Student Feedback form to the Internship Supervisor. c. copies of final thank you correspondence to your Site Supervisor.

d. to write a 2-page (typed) final report summarizing each intern's

experiences and evaluating performance. (Provide 2 copies of your final report to the Internship Supervisor)

Each intern should address the following issues in his/her paper:

1. What projects, tasks, and assignments were given to you? 2. What skills did you use? 3. Could you sense personal/professional growth? 4. What were the negative aspects of the internship? 5. What were the positive aspects of the internship? 6. Would you recommend this internship to other students?

4. Internship students will be required to submit a portfolio of work completed or

a major project. a. Portfolio: When relevant, a portfolio which contains examples of work assigned and completed during the internship will be submitted. The portfolio could include articles written or edited; correspondence written or edited; press releases written or edited; scripts written or edited; descriptions of interviewing assignments conducted; descriptions of research assignments conducted.

b. Major Project: This option is relevant in situations when an entire internship is focused on the production of one very specific major project. Examples might include an issue of a newsletter or magazine, a cable television program, and/or some similar major end project

5. All internships are graded on a pass/fail basis. Issues that affect a passing grade

include: tardiness, absences without advance notice and approval, abiding by dress codes, etc. An incomplete will only be assigned in emergencies. All students are expected to fulfill their internship hours by the deadline assigned. The Internship Director reserves the right to determine whether a student qualifies for an incomplete due to an emergency.

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UNCC

COMM 4410

Professional

Internship

Appendix

* Forms*

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UNCC COMM 4410 – Student Contract

I have carefully read the UNCC COMM 4410 Internship Handbook for the Professional Internship course and attest that I understand and accept the requirements, expectations, and conditions as stated. I understand that the grading policy is Pass/Fail. ———————————————————————————————————————————— NAME (Print):__________________________________________ CLASS STANDING:___________ MAILING ADDRESS: ___________________________________ BANNER ID:_________________ ___________________________________ DOB:_______________________ EMAIL ADDRESS: ___________________________________ PHONE: ____________________ DATE: ____________ SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________________

Please return this form to: Internship Director University of North Carolina, Charlotte Department of Communication Studies 9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 FAX (704) 687-5286

UNCC COMM 4410 – FORM I

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UNCC COMM 4410 PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP

REQUEST FOR INTERNSHIP

__________________ ________________ ______________________________ First Name Middle Initial Last Name Banner ID

Class Standing: [ ] Junior Track: [ ] Journalism [ ] Senior [ ] Mass Media [ ] Other [ ] Organizational Communication Minimum of 60 Earned Hours Required [ ] Public Advocacy [ ] Public Relations [ ] Health Communication [ ] Leadership Credit Applied to: [ ] Major Number of Internship Credit Hours: __________ [ ] Minor Proposed Semester: [ ] Fall [ ] Spring Proposed Year of Study: ____________ [ ] Summer Summary of Required Track Course Work Completed to Date: GPA: ____________

Course Grade Course Grade Course Grade [ ] Health COMM 2100 _____ & COMM 3115 _____ [ ] Journalism JOUR 2160 _____ & JOUR 3160 _____ [ ] Mass Media COMM 3120 _____ or COMM 4101 _____ [ ] Organizational COMM 3141 _____ [ ] Public Advocacy COMM 2102 _____ or COMM 2103 _____ or COMM 3130 _____ [ ] Public Relations JOUR 2160 _____ & COMM 2145 _____ Internship to be Completed With: ___________________________________________________ (Name of Organization or Company)

Description of Internship Proposal: (A complete description of the duties, activities, and assignments for which you will be

responsible should be attached with a required name, title, and signature of the site supervisor.)

Justification: (Briefly explain how this internship will complement your academic and/or professional goals.)

_________________________________________ ____________________ ________________ Student Signature Telephone # Date

____________________________________________ Student E-Mail Address _____________________________________________ _________________________ UNCC Internship Director Signature Date

UNCC COMM 4410 – FORM II Revised August 2, 2006

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INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW FOR SPONSORS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES

UNC CHARLOTTE

The UNCC Department of Communication Studies Internship Program provides qualified students

with valuable work opportunities. Interns seek experience with an organization in order to

apply their academic knowledge and skills in a professional environment.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE INTERNS?

Qualified interns are Communication Studies majors or minors, or Journalism minors, with junior or senior

standing and at least a 2.0 GPA overall.

Interns receive academic credit for participating in the program.

student registering for 3 credit hours needs to complete 120 hours at the site. This averages to about 8 hours

per week during Fall and Spring semesters. A student registering for 6 credit hours needs to complete 240 hours

at the site. This averages to about 16 hours per week during Fall and Spring semesters. Students doing Summer

internships need to complete the same number of hours as listed above. However, their weekly schedule will be

between 12 to 24 hours for 10 weeks depending on whether they are registered for 3 or 6 credit hours.

Some interns are paid, and some are not. That is your decision; however, we need to know this up front.

The Internship Supervisor prescreens all interns, but the “hiring” decision is yours.

WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PROGRAM?

Interested organizations must first submit the Internship Sponsor Information Form (Form IV) and attach a job

description.

Interns expect to gain experience related to their academic majors; interns may not be used solely for clerical

work. Although it is expected that clerical or administrative work may be “part” of the interns‟ duties, the

Internship Supervisor withholds the right to pull a student from an internship if they are only being used for

clerical and administrative work.

You must provide supervision, guidance and feedback to the intern an a regular basis.

Interns should be considered employees, and as such, should be treated and should behave in a professional

manner. The organization is responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for the intern.

Interns should be treated under the same organizational policies as other employees in areas including sexual

harassment.

You must sign and date the timeline for the interns work schedule which includes the completion date of the

interns‟ hours.

Employers must submit the Site Supervisor Feedback Form at midterm and at the end of the semester (for student

grading purposes). It is preferred that you complete the evaluations and place them in a sealed envelope with your

signature on the back and return them to the intern. This is to maintain the integrity of the evaluations. You may

share your feedback with the intern, but must still submit the evaluations to the Internship Director as noted

above.

HOW DO INTERNSHIPS BENEFIT MY COMPANY?

You establish relationships with highly motivated prospective employees.

Your workplace is infused with the energy and enthusiasm of one or more current university students.

You help shape the professional work force of tomorrow.

You gain positive exposure in the community.

Revised September 19, 2007

UNCC COMM 4410 – FORM III

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Internship Sponsor Information Form Department of Communication Studies

UNC Charlotte

If you are interested in beginning or continuing to participate in the Communication Studies

Internship Program, please complete the following questionnaire and return it within five

working days. Thank you for your participation.

*****************************************************************************

Name of Company: ______________________________________________________

Company Address: ______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Company web site address, if available: ________________________________________

Name of appropriate contact person: __________________________________________

Telephone number: ______________________________________________________

Fax number: ____________________________________________________________

E-mail address: ______________________________________________________

Best time to reach contact person: __________________________________________

*****************************************************************************

Name of person who would supervise the intern: ______________________________

Department in which this person is located: ____________________________________

Telephone number: ______________________________________________________

*****************************************************************************

Will the internship be paid or unpaid? [ ] Paid [ ] Unpaid

If paid, what is the rate or stipend? ____________

*****************************************************************************

Date: _______________ Signature: __________________________________________

IMPORTANT: Please include a second sheet that briefly describes the type(s) of internship position(s)

available and the number of internship positions available. If the positions are significantly different, please

include a separate description for each.

Please email or fax your response no later than to:

Internship Director University of North Carolina, Charlotte Department of Communication Studies 9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 FAX (704) 687-5286 UNCC COMM 4410 – FORM IV

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UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHARLOTTE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Early Evaluation: Site Supervisor Feedback

Student Name: ________________________ Telephone #: ______________ Internship Site:___________________________________________________ Site Supervisor: ________________________ Telephone #: ______________ Please circle the number on the scale which best describes the intern's performance. PERSONAL QUALITIES Appearance Neat Unsuitable

1 2 3 4 5 Maturity Poised/Confident Awkward/Timid

1 2 3 4 5 Attitude Enthusiastic Uninterested

1 2 3 4 5 Cooperation Congenial Uncooperative

1 2 3 4 5 Interpersonal Works well Difficulty working Relations with others with others

1 2 3 4 5 ________________________________________________________________ WORK HABITS Organization Organized Disorganized

1 2 3 4 5 Ability to Learn Learns quickly Slow to Learn

1 2 3 4 5 Initiative Able to work independently Needs monitoring

1 2 3 4 5 Judgment Excellent Poor

1 2 3 4 5 Responsibility Dependable Neglectful

1 2 3 4 5

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Attendance Regular Irregular

1 2 3 4 5 Punctuality On time Tardy

1 2 3 4 5 ________________________________________________________________ WORK EXPERIENCE Quantity of Work High output Low output

1 2 3 4 5 Quality of Work Excellent Poor

1 2 3 4 5 1. What do you consider to be the outstanding personal qualities/strengths of the intern? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 2. What do you consider to be the weaknesses of the intern? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 3. How can the student work to improve these areas? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 4. Have there been any problems? Please explain the problems and if/how they have been resolved. Feel free to attach a separate sheet if necessary. ________________________________________________________________ Please return this form to: Internship Director University of North Carolina, Charlotte Department of Communication Studies 9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 ***You may also complete this form, place it in a sealed envelope with your signature on the back and give it back to the student. The student is then responsible for bringing it to the early interview. UNCC COMM 4410 – FORM V

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UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHARLOTTE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Early Evaluation: Student Feedback

Student Name: _________________________ Telephone #: ______________ Internship Site:____________________________________________________ Site Supervisor: _________________________ Telephone #: ______________ Please circle the number on the scale which best indicates your response to each item.

Strongly Neither Agree Strongly

Agree Nor Disagree Disagree I like my internship 1 2 3 4 5 I feel I am adequately prepared for my internship 1 2 3 4 5 I am able to relate my Internship to my Communication courses 1 2 3 4 5 My internship is meeting my expectations 1 2 3 4 5 I feel that I am fulfilling the requirements of my internship 1 2 3 4 5 My site supervisor is actively involved in my internship 1 2 3 4 5 Punctuality is stressed by my site supervisor 1 2 3 4 5 I am learning a great deal from my internship work 1 2 3 4 5 I feel my internship is rewarding 1 2 3 4 5

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1. Do you think our communication courses should be changed to better prepare students for internships and future employment? What suggestions can you offer? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 2. If you were to repeat this internship, what changes would you suggest? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 3. Do you think you are meeting the objectives established for the internship? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 4. Are there additional work activities/projects at the internship in which you would like to get involved? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Please return this form to: Internship Director University of North Carolina, Charlotte Department of Communication Studies 9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 UNCC COMM 4410 – FORM VI

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UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHARLOTTE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Final Evaluation: Site Supervisor Feedback

Student Name: _________________________ Telephone #: ______________ Internship Site:____________________________________________________ Site Supervisor: _________________________ Telephone #: ______________ Please circle the number on the scale which best describes the intern's performance. PERSONAL QUALITIES Appearance Neat Unsuitable 1 2 3 4 5 Maturity Poised/Confident Awkward/Timid 1 2 3 4 5 Attitude Enthusiastic Uninterested 1 2 3 4 5 Cooperation Congenial Uncooperative 1 2 3 4 5 Interpersonal Works well Difficulty working Relations with others with others 1 2 3 4 5 ———————————————————————————————————— WORK HABITS Organization Organized Disorganized 1 2 3 4 5 Ability to Learn Learns quickly Slow to Learn 1 2 3 4 5 Initiative Able to work Needs monitoring

independently 1 2 3 4 5 Judgment Excellent Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Responsibility Dependable Neglectful 1 2 3 4 5

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Attendance Regular Irregular 1 2 3 4 5 Punctuality On time Tardy 1 2 3 4 5 ________________________________________________________________ WORK EXPERIENCE Quantity of Work High output Low output 1 2 3 4 5 Quality of Work Excellent Poor 1 2 3 4 5 1. What do you consider to be the outstanding characteristics of the intern? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 2. What do you consider to be the weaknesses of the intern? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 3. How can the student work to improve these areas? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 4. Have there been any problems encountered since midterm? Please explain the problems and if/how they have been resolved. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 5. Do you have any general suggestions for this intern? ________________________________________________________________ 6. Do you have any general comments regarding the UNC Charlotte Communication Internship Program?

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________________________________________________________________ Given your ratings and responses provided above, please assign the student a grade for his/her overall performance for the internship. Please circle one grade.

PASS FAIL Please return this form to: Internship Director University of North Carolina, Charlotte Department of Communication Studies 9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 ***You may also complete this form, place it in a sealed envelope with your signature on the back and give it back to the student. The student is then responsible for bringing it to the final exit interview. Thank you very much for helping to evaluate this UNCC intern. Thank you also for your support and participation in our program. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know.

UNCC COMM 4410 – FORM VII

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UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHARLOTTE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Final Evaluation: Student Feedback

Student Name: _________________________ Telephone #: ______________ Internship Site:____________________________________________________ Site Supervisor: _________________________ Telephone #: ______________ Please circle the number on the scale which best indicates your response to each item.

Strongly Neither Agree Strongly Agree Nor Disagree Disagree I enjoyed my internship 1 2 3 4 5 I was adequately prepared for my internship 1 2 3 4 5 I was able to relate my Internship to my Communication courses 1 2 3 4 5 My internship met my expectations 1 2 3 4 5 I fulfilled the requirements of my internship 1 2 3 4 5 My site supervisor was actively involved in my internship 1 2 3 4 5 I learned a great deal from my internship work 1 2 3 4 5 My internship was rewarding 1 2 3 4 5 1. Do you think our communication courses should be changed to better prepare

students for internships and future employment? If so, what suggestions can you offer?

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________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 2. Did your site supervisor provide any advice for future internships or employment? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 3. How could you have improved your performance in your internship? _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 4. What recommendations do you have for the Department of Communication Studies Internship Program? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Please return this form to: Internship Director University of North Carolina, Charlotte Department of Communication Studies 9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223-0001

UNCC COMM 4410 – FORM VIII

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Communications Studies Interns - CHECKLIST

DATE COMPLETED RESPONSIBILITY:

_________________ Student: Print or purchase the Internship Handbook, Gray‟s Bookstore. After reading

the Internship Handbook in full, complete Form I.

_________________ Student: Prepare resume. See the career center for additional help. All resumes must be

proofed and ready for delivery before the assessment interview with the

Internship Director.

_________________ Student: Target Site Sponsor. Do research on sponsors listed on bulletin board or go

online to research new and potential sponsors.

_________________ Student: Schedule Assessment Interview with Internship Director. Take Form I,

resume, handbook and ideas for internship sponsors.

_________________ Internship Supervisor: Check Banner for student's grades/prerequisites & GPA

_________________ Student: Select and review options with Internship Supervisor. Make contacts and

secure internship. Remember to send thank-you correspondence for any

interviews, submit copies for file.

_________________ Student: Return completed paperwork for internship registration, including Form II,

Form IV with job description, and timeline of your work schedule

including anticipated completion date of internship hours with Site

Supervisor‟s signature and date.

_________________ Internship Director: Process paperwork for student registration-Altogether, this

includes Forms I, II, IV, a job description, and your timeline of

your work schedule as indicated above.

_________________ Student: Commence Internship

_________________ Student: After 40-60 hours at the internship site, attend 1 of 2 sessions for the early

evaluation. Bring Form V and Form VI (completed by your Site Supervisor).

_________________ Student: After 120/240 hours on job, attend scheduled final exit interview with

Internship Director. Provide Form VII (completed by Site Supervisor), Form

VIII, Copy of Internship experience thank-you correspondence, Final two-page

report (2 copies please) and portfolio/major project.

_________________ Internship Director: Submit student grade (pass/fail). All students are expected to

finish internship hours by the deadline indicated in a given

semester. A grade of incomplete will only be assigned in the

event of an emergency.

UNCC COMM 4410 - FORM IX Revised April, 2008