School of Communication

Internship Program

The Program: Fast Facts

  • The School of Communication encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity to intern for up to four credits during their undergraduate career. Students earn internship credit by enrolling in an associated internship course, attending and completing required course work, and working at the internship location.
  • Interns are typically juniors and seniors. Freshmen and sophomores are welcome to participate on a case by case basis.
  • Students must have a GPA of 3.0 to participate in the program. If you have a GPA below 3.0 and would like to participate in the program, provide a letter describing the rationale to your advisor.
  • Internship opportunities are offered in three cities: Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. (Other cities available on an individual basis.)
  • Non-SoC students must receive permission from their schools to participate in the Chicago program. New York and Los Angeles programs are available to School of Communication Students only.
  • Students enrolled in Los Angeles or New York during the Fall, Winter and or Spring quarters must be enrolled in either three or four credits.
  • All internships for credit carry a mandatory course component, and applicable tuition charges will be assessed by the University. Classes generally meet one night a week. The number of credits you receive should be discussed with your Academic Advisor.
    • Credits: The amount of credit earned depends on the number of hours worked per week. For a quarter-long (10 week) internship, you can earn one credit for each 8 hours worked per week.
    • Students can earn a maximum of 4 credits from the program over the course of their entire undergraduate career.
      • 8 hours/week = 1 credit
      16-23 hours/week = 2 credits
      24-31 hours/week = 3 credits
      32 + hours/week = 4 credits
      ** You may earn less credit than you are eligible for if you wish to do so.
    • SoC will conduct an academic disciplinary check for all program participants


The Internship Staff

EPICS Office
epics@northwestern.edu
847-467-0270

Internship Program Advisors

SoC Students see your Academic Advisor

Non-SoC Students:
John Haas: 847-467-1159 j-haas@northwestern.edu

Internship Class Instructors

Chicago:
John Haas: j-haas@northwestern.edu
Roberta Stack: r-stack@northwestern.edu

New York:
Carey Graeber: c-graeber@northwestern.edu

Los Angeles:
David Downs: dad666@northwestern.edu


How to participate in 8 easy steps

1. Research Internships

  • Navigate to the internship database
  • Log in with your net id and password
  • The database can be searched in a variety of ways;
    • Location
    • Company name
    • Type of job; (Keyword triggered search)
    • The website has the ability to double sort i.e. NY/marketing
  • Attend an information session (offered by EPICS every quarter)
  • Determine if you want to go to L.A., NY, Chicago, or elsewhere
  • Visit the careers section of companies and organizations you are interested in to search for available opportunities.

2. Schedule a meeting with your advisor or the EPICS Office for additional guidance in researching current internship opportunities.

3. Prepare your resume and cover letter and have it reviewed by University Career Services

4. Apply for internships

  • We recommend that you apply to as many as 5 to 10 internship locations and that you use a three step process:
    • First Contact: e-mail or call the internship sponsor to let them know you will be submitting your materials and ask any related questions
    • Second contact: Submit Application
    • Third Contact: follow up in a week or two to make sure that they received your materials and inquire about setting up an interview
  • Interview for Internships
  • Send a thank you email or note to the internship host
  • Accept an internship!

5. Obtain the Required Forms

  • Download and print the Internship Application found on the registration page
  • Complete the application and Code of Conduct form
  • Fill out all necessary information about your internship sponsor on your application and secure the signature of your sponsor

6. Make the Appointment

  • Call and make an internship appointment with your advisor 847-491-7214
  • * Theatre Students will sign up on their Advisor’s door for a time

7. At the Appointment

  • Submit your paperwork to your Advisor including:
    • Internship Application
    • (Student) Code of Conduct
    • Printed copy of your transcript
  • Decide on how many credits you will receive according to the number of hours you will be working (see Fast Facts above)
  • Decide which class you will attend (Typically the RTVF class meets on Tuesday evenings and the CS class meets on Wednesday evenings)
  • Fill in enrollment request form (available from your Advisor at the time of your appointment)
  • Ask any remaining questions you may have.
  • SoC registers student for class and sends any enrollment verification required by the employer

8. Participate

  • Attend an orientation session to meet fellow interns and learn more about what to expect
  • If you are interning in Los Angeles or New York City
    • Confirm your housing, transportation (car rental, flight)
    • Submit housing form for SoC stipend (Available during Fall, Winter, Spring Quarters)
    • Cancel NU meal plan, activities fee, etc.
  • Confirm registration on CAESAR
  • Enjoy the internship experience!


Questions?

Q. Where do I live if I go to L.A. or New York?

A. All students are financially responsible for their own housing. The School of Communication has an agreement with Oakwood property management for student interning in New York or Los Angeles. You can check out their facilities at www.oakwood.com. Should you decide to use Oakwood’s facilities, you must submit the housing form to Vickie 6 weeks prior to the first day of your stay with them. In addition, you can use Craig’s list to secure temporary housing or secure housing at a local university. Keep in mind that you can arrange to live with other NU interns as well. During the regular school year, the School of Communication contributes a $200.00 stipend per student, per quarter to help defray the cost of housing for students interning but not living with family in New York and Los Angeles. (Summer excluded.)

Q. How do I get around in my internship city?

A. New York has a great public transportation system and cabs are always an option. However, you will need to provide your own transportation in Los Angeles. You may secure a car rental through Enterprise Car Rental by calling 213.534.3565 or you might try Rent-a-wreck.

Q. How much does the program cost?

A. Students pay tuition for the quarter as well as the cost of room and board, travel to and from the internship city and any related costs.

Q. What will I do in the Internship class?

A. Students meet once a week with other interns and their internship instructor. Talking through on-the-job experiences gives everyone a chance to learn from others’ internships and to gain a critical and candid look at the communication and entertainment industry. Assignments may include weekly papers, two interviews and a final project Students enrolled in the Summer Internship .25 course will have a mandatory online component that may include two written responses and an interview.


Student Checklist

(To be completed prior to the Internship Appointment)

Completed the Internship Application

Obtained the necessary documentation for the internship including the contact information and signature of the internship supervisor

Completed and signed the Code of Conduct form

Made an official copy of student transcript

If an Athlete, met with and secured signature of Athletic Advisor

Made an appointment to meet with my Advisor