DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND THEATRE
INTERNSHIP FAQ SHEET
The Department of Communication, Media and Theatre encourages CMT majors to take advantage of internship opportunities in Chicago, a premiere city in theatre and media. Internships are a vital part of learning about the profession. Students get a sense of the day-to-day responsibilities in their chosen field.
1. Q: What are the requirements?
A: You must be a junior or senior with cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or above and CMT GPA of 3.0 or above. You also must have taken or be enrolled in three 300-level classes, earning an A or B. For 3 class credit hours, you will work 10 hours a week at your internship. For 6 credit hours, you will work 20 hours a week.
2. Q: But how do I find one?
A: Students are expected to search for their own internships. Many organizations list internship opportunities under the “About Us” or “Career” sections of their websites. A popular website for communication and media-related internships is the Society of Professional Journalist’s Chicago Headline Club. You can find some great theatre internships at Chicago Artists Resource.
In addition, the NEIU Office of Career Services has listings. Your faculty advisor may be a resource as well.
3. Q: Okay, I'm interested. How do I apply?
A: Click here for an application form or pick one up from your faculty advisor or the CMT Department. We’ll request a transcript of your grades, a current resume and essays stating why you want a particular internship.
4. Q: Is it a competitive process?
A: Yes, an internship is not guaranteed. Limited spots are available in the CMT Department as individual faculty can only supervise two interns a semester.
5. Q: How am I graded?
A: You will be required to keep a weekly journal of your experiences, reporting on your challenges and successes. In addition, your site supervisor is required to provide a midterm and final evaluation of your work. You will also hand in a final written report (and examples if applicable) to your faculty supervisor.
6. Q: Can this lead to a job?
A: Yes. You may not finish with your internship with a job offer in hand, but internships provide valuable connections and have opened doors for your classmates. They demonstrate experience and ability to work in a professional environment to potential employers. A reference or letter of recommendation from an internship supervisor is golden. Your internship experience may also help you decide what type of specific work interests you (or doesn’t). For example, a CMT student with a summer internship at NBC-Chicago was hired as a freelance producer within a few weeks of the end of her internship.
7. Q: Where have people interned in the past?
A: Students have interned at a great variety of places in Chicago. In Communication a few examples include the Fairygodmother Foundation, the Chicago Festival Association, NEIU’s public relations office and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin’s office. Theatre internships include ones at the Light Opera Works, Metropolis Theatre, Northlight Theater and the Theatre Building. Media internships have included NBC, WGN, Chicago Public Radio, The Chicago Tribune, Telemundo and WTTW.
8. Q: Do you have any specific tips for applying for an internship?
A: Start early. Figure out what you are interested in and might like to try. Talk to friends, family and your professors. Again, scan the “About Us” page on websites of places you may be interested in and visit the Office of Career Services, B-119. Polish your resume and tailor it to the internship you are seeking. Also, see the information sheet “Ten Things You Can do to Find an Internship” at __________________.
9. Q: Will it pay?
A: Generally, no – at least not in the short run. Think of an internship as an investment – it can lead to a job that pays. Oftentimes, professional workplaces won’t bring someone on board without experience – an internship can get you out of this “Catch-22” situation (“I can’t get experience because they won’t hire anyone without experience!”) You may want to investigate the Minority Internship Program (contact Suleyma Perez at 773- 442- 5415, C- 210) which funds selected student interns.
10. Q: What are the expectations of me at the workplace?
A: That will vary from organization to organization. Generally, there is a range of responsibilities at any given internship from hands-on creative work like writing to office tasks like xeroxing. We hope the majority of your time will develop your skill set, but mundane tasks are often part of a job in the real world, and certainly part of paying your dues at the beginning of your career. All workplaces will expect you to behave professionally - be on time and appropriately dressed. Learn the culture of your workplace.