We encourage Communication and Media students to participate in internships. Although not required for the major, internships are an important way to acquire hands-on training and vocational skills that supplement academic coursework.
Finding Internships
Many of our majors participate in internships in the fields of marketing, public relations, brand planning, advertising, social media management, talent representation, broadcasting, journalism, and other media-related areas.
The department does not place students in internships, but we encourage students to identify internship opportunities through the following resources:
- Communication and Media Undergraduate Announcement blog
- Michigan Communication and Media Professional listings
- LSA Opportunity Hub
- Industry-specific student organizations on campus
- LinkedIn, Handshake, and company websites
- Industry-specific job and internship posting boards
We also organize networking opportunities where students can gain insights into how internships may work at different companies. More information can be found on the Career Exploration page.
Shadowships
Each year the department provides mentorship opportunities with alumni who let our students shadow them on the job for special events. In recent years, these events have included live coverage of an NFL game with CBS, assisting with styling celebrities and influencers for the Oscars, and experiencing College Football Playoff Selection Day with ESPN. More information can be found on the Industry Immersion Program page.
Internship Funding
The Department of Communication and Media offers funding for students who have secured an unpaid internship during the summer. More information can be found under the "Summer Awards" section on the Departmental Funding page. LSA also offers an Internship Scholarship.
Earning Credit for Internships
Communication and Media does not offer academic credits for internships. However, the LSA Opportunity Hub offers three Applied Liberal Arts (ALA) courses to help you identify goals and reflect on how you want to use your education:
- In ALA 125, students learn how to define their goals, search for opportunities, and navigate the application process.
- In ALA 225, students earn academic credit by participating in an online, interactive reflection process about their internship.
- In ALA 325, juniors and seniors prioritize individual goals and perfect their job materials, like resume, cover letter, or grad school admissions essay.
Gaining Experience on Campus
During the academic year, students interested in media work can seek opportunities for skills experience through the student-run newspaper, The Michigan Daily; television station, WOLV-TV; and radio station, WCBN.
