Internships
COMMRC students have a great reputation, and have completed internships throughout Pittsburgh and across the region! Our majors have worked in a variety of fields, including radio, television, film, marketing, public relations, non-profit organizations, and journalism.
- Step 1: Find an Internship
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→ Join the COMMRC LinkedIn Page: regularly posted opportunities for COMMRC students and alumni.
→ Check out internships within the department:
- COMMRC Connect: Working in conjunction with the Communication Department's External Communication Committee, our team of interns work collaboratively to improve, through strategic communication, COMMRC stakeholders’ sense of belonging with the department and familiarity with ongoing initiatives in the undergraduate program. Interns produce the monthly COMMRC newsletter, departmental graphics, website updates, social media content, job/internship announcements, and alumni networking. Click here to learn more and apply!
- The Pitt News Marketing Internship: The Pitt News (TPN) marketing internship provides students with marketing experience in a real newsroom setting. By working with advertising clients and on promotions for TPN, students will learn how to produce advertisements in print, social media and video form. Our approach allows students to work alongside peers in a professional environment, with feedback and assistance proved by the TPN marketing advisor. By the end of the internship, students will complete a work portfolio that includes: resume, print work, social media work, and video content. Email Tara Adamczyk to learn more and apply!
→ Make an appointment with a Career Consultant: Erin Wheeler is currently the Career Consultant for communication and related fields. Reach out to her directly or make an appointment on Handshake
- Step 2: Enroll in COMMRC 1900
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→ Reach out to COMMRC: once you've secured an internship, send an email to Dr. David Miguel Molina
→ Complete the Internship Agreement Form: Dr. Molina will provide you with the form, which needs to be completed and signed by your internship site supervisor.
→ Enroll in COMMRC 1900: after the Internship Agreement Form is complete, Dr. Molina will give you a permission number to enroll in COMMRC 1900.
- Step 3: Complete the COMMRC 1900 Internship Portfolio on Canvas
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Internship credits are only earned by completing academic work alongside the internship experience.
→ COMMRC Internship Portfolio
- Why This? Why You? explain why you chose this internship and how it aligns with personal, professional, and academic goals
- Work Sample (3): share a work outcome and reflect on how this represents an achievement, area of growth, or applied skill
- COMMRC Connection: link a documentable work outcome to a specific topic, concept, reading, or question drawn from coursework
- COMMRC 1900: Additional Details
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→ Eligibility: enrollment requirements for COMMRC 1900:
- An overall GPA of at least 2.5
- At least 36 credits completed
- At least 2 COMMRC courses completed
- Completed Internship Agreement Form
→ Credits: the number of COMMRC 1900 credits received depends on the amount of on-site internship work conducted during the academic term:
- 3 credits: at least 120 hours of internship work
- 2 credits: at least 80 hours of internship work
- 1 credit: at least 40 hours of internship work
→ Grading: Internships are graded on a S/NC (Satisfactory/No Credit) basis. Grades are determined based on internship evaluation forms and completion of the COMMRC 1900 Internship Portfolio
→ COMMRC Major: currently, COMMRC 1900 does not count as an 1000-level requirement for the major. Instead, internships count as elective credits toward graduation.
Clubs
The Communication Department is proud to sponsor the following student organizations:
- COMM Club
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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
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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. Meredith Guthrie.