Completing a for-credit internship is a requirement for students majoring in Multimedia Journalism, Advertising/Public Relations, and Film and Digital Media Studies. For students majoring in Communication Studies and Advocacy and Social Change a for-credit internship is optional.

It is your responsibility to find your own internship.

Research and networking. Some avenues to investigate include: the SOC Careers Website; explore Handshake; check out career databases such as Careerbuilder; talk to your professors; ask other students where they are interning; keep your LinkedIn page up to date; ask family members and family friends for ideas.

Many employers pay for access to these sites and use them to search for resumes even though they don't post any of their own positions. It might help to post your own resume here.

That's correct, you cannot sign yourself up. In order to be registered for the internship course, you must turn in all your completed paperwork to your coordinator. He or she will review the materials and approve (or not) your internship. If you are approved, your name is submitted to the SOC administration who then registers you in the course. Once you've turned everything in to your coordinator, keep an eye on LOCUS and Sakai

ADCR/ADPR: Dr. Pamela Morris, pmorris1@luc.edu
CMUN & FDMD: Prof. Cheryl McPhilimy, cmcphil@luc.edu
MJRN: Prof. Patty Lamberti, plamberti@luc.edu

Yes. Every student must attend an orientation before applying for the internship course. You may attend an orientation up to one year before you apply to do an internship. Keep an eye on the SOC Internship page for upcoming dates. 

There are several each semester. Typically in the second half. There is generally a "last-chance" orientation held the first week of each semester. A note of caution: don't wait until this last-chance orientation if at all avoidable. If it conflicts with your schedule, you will be out of luck.

In your email inbox prior to the sessions and on the Internship section of the SOC website. 

First, be in touch with the internship coordinator for your major and keep an eye on the SOC internship section of the website for relevant information. Ideally, attend an orientation before you leave Chicago.  You may be able to attend the last-chance orientation if necessary.

Absolutely. Students do it every semester. Take a look at the SOC Careers website. Do your own online research of employers that appeal to you and reach out to them with a solid email cover letter and resume. Let them know you are abroad but very interested in interning with them upon return. Some employers are impressed by this effort and desire. Offer to conduct an interview by phone, email or Skype at any time. If that means getting up at 4 a.m. in Beijing to talk to a potential employer, do it. Let the employer know your timeline and schedule. Be sure to get in touch as soon as you are back in the U.S. to confirm any details.

Like all internships for credit, an internship abroad will have to meet the criteria and be approved by your coordinator. There are additional considerations that will be taken into account for an internship out of the country and some additional steps may be required. 

Some employers require sign-off by the university.  If your employer asks for this, see your internship coordinator, who will sign at his or her discretion.

You've got two options. You can find another internship and submit it to your coordinator or you can take the position as a non-credit internship. If it is an experience you'd really like and you feel you'll benefit from, it may be worth doing as a non-credit activity. If a for-credit internship is required for your major, you will still need to complete that requirement. 

Nicely. Politely. Thank the organization. Tempting as it may be, don't blame it on the school. If you tell the employer that the school didn't approve it, your lie can come back to haunt you if an employer calls Loyola directly to find out why it wasn't approved. Better to be straight up and tell the employer that while you appreciate the offer, it isn't for you. 

Make an appointment with Career Services or one of your instructors.

You have a generous and helpful spirit! Let LoyolaSOC@luc.edu know about any internship opportunities that current or future Loyola students might want to take advantage of.

First, know that this is inappropriate and that you deserve to work in a harassment-free environment. Reach out to your internship coordinator and to the School of Communication dean, associate dean or assistant dean and report what is going on.

A number of factors go into an internship coordinator's decision to approve, or not approve, an internship as a for-credit opportunity. These include, but aren't limited to, the duties of the intern, the location, the job description, the nature of the organization, the organization's expectations, the degree and nature of supervision, the potential learning opportunities and the student's readiness.  The decision to approve or not approve any internship for any student is at the discretion of the internship coordinator.

A minimum of 150 hours is required in an academic internship if taken during a regular fall or spring semester.

Yes, absolutely.

No. Internships are for new experiences only.

Yes, it is possible. As always, internship approval is at your internship coordinator's discretion. Note that second internships at the same organization are typically not approved.  You'll want to explore new and different opportunities.

Generally yes. If your internship starts several weeks before the course begins or ends a few weeks before or after the completion of the course, your coordinator might approve it. Be sure to talk to your coordinator as soon as you realize your timeline may not be a perfect fit.