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Professional Development

Internships

Although we do not require internships for the major, the Communication Department encourages our majors to complete at least one internship before graduation.

Pitt Communication majors have a great reputation, and have completed internships all over Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas! Our majors have worked in a variety of fields, including radio, television, film, marketing, public relations, non-profit organizations, and journalism.

Finding Internship Opportunities

The Communication Department circulates recommended opportunities on the following platforms:

Career Central offers an abundance of resources and opportunities for students interested in pursing an internship: 

Internship Opportunities within COMMRC

COMMRC External Communication Internship

Working in conjunction with the Communication Department's External Communication Committee, interns play a creative and editorial role in the department's communication with our majors. We take a team approach: collaborating on the department newsletter, social media strategy, graphics, the promotion of job and internship opportunities, alumni networking, and the department website. The goal is to improve, through strategic communication, our majors' sense of belonging within the department and familiarity with ongoing initiatives in the undergraduate program.

We are currently accepting applications for the Fall 24 External Communication Internship! Deadline to apply: March 22. See here for more information.

    Enrolling in Academic Credits for Internships

    1. Work with your internship supervisor to fill out the Internship Agreement Form (PDF) and bring it to a Communication advisor.
    2. Your advisor will make sure that your internship, if it is unpaid, conforms to the Department of Labor guidelines.
    3. We have a letter to send to your internship site to make them aware of the Department of Labor guidelines and Pitt's for internships - Internship - Communication Dept of Labor Guidelines (PDF)
    4. Students earning credits for internships will be automatically added to an internship Canvas site. That site will lay out the academic assignments for the semester. 
    5. Work at your internship and attend the Internship Seminar
    6. Have your internship supervisor complete the Internship Evaluation Form (PDF) at the end of your internship. This completed form should be uploaded to Canvas.

    Requirements

    To be eligible for an internship, a student must:

    • Have an overall GPA of at least 2.5
    • Have completed at least 36 credits, including at least 2 Communication courses
    • Have your internship approved by a Communication advisor

    Interns should work about 40 hours TOTAL per academic credit. (A 3-credit internship should require about 120 hours of work total at the internship site.) Internships that do not conform to the Department of Labor’s guidelines for unpaid internships should be paid. The Communication Department does accept paid internships for credit.

    Evaluation and Grading

    Internships are graded on a S/NC (Satisfactory/No Credit) basis. Grades are determined based on internship evaluation forms and Internship Seminar participation. For more information, please see the syllabus for the Internship Seminar.

    How do internship credits fit into my graduation plan?

    Internships do not count as 1000-level credits for the major. Instead, internships count as elective credits towards graduation. Students can count up to 12 S/NC (Satisfactory/No Credit) credits toward graduation

    For more information, please email a Communication advisor at dmmolina@pitt.edu or guthrie@pitt.edu.

    Clubs

    The Communication Department is proud to sponsor two student organizations offered exclusively for undergraduate majors.

    Communication Club

    The Undergraduate Communication Club is a student-run organization that attempts to answer the question, “What can I do with a communication major?” They hold monthly meetings and sponsor guest speakers, field trips, and workshops to help students make career and life decisions.

    Omicron Psi Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta

    The Omicron Psi Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta is an honorary society sponsored by the National Communication Association. COMMRC majors are eligible for membership after they have completed 60 credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.0 and a COMMRC major GPA (at least 12 credits completed) of at least 3.25.

    There is a one-time membership fee of $30, payable to the University of Pittsburgh. Membership entitles students to full participation in the society’s activities and functions and recognition at the departmental graduation reception. For information, contact Dr. John Gareis.