camera, video, church, internship
camera, video, church, internship
sports, camera, soccer, nashville, players, photography, internship
sports, camera, soccer, nashville, players, photography, internship
lights, videography, dude perfect, internship
lights, videography, dude perfect, internship

The primary purpose of an internship in the Department of Communication Arts (COM) is to provide a student with real-life work experiences related to the student’s major.  An internship is part of the student’s total academic experience and is not a job per se; it is a learning opportunity having direct relationships to the student’s program of study and career interests.

  • Who is involved?

    • The Student: COM internships are initiated by the student, who plans the work experience with his/her academic advisor, the COM internship coordinator and the field supervisor at the work site.  The Chair of the department must approve all internships.
    • The COM Internship Coordinator: The coordinator is a COM faculty member who approves the internship as a part of the student’s degree program, works with the student to ensure a solid academic component to the internship, and assigns the grade.
    • The Field Supervisor: The supervisor is the contact person at the internship site who is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the intern and who evaluates the student’s performance prior to completion of the work experience.  The field supervisor must be a full-time employee in the major field, i.e., public relations professional, journalist, broadcaster, etc.

In addition to these skills, the student should have completed the following courses in each area:

    • Writing Across Media Platforms
    • Principles of Public Relations or Principles of Advertising
    • Digital Storytelling or Digital Photography
    • Writing Across Media Platforms
    • Digital Storytelling
    • Television Production
    • Writing Across Media Platforms
    • Immersion Journalism
    • Digital Photography
    • Intro to Screenwriting
    • 2 Production electives
    • 1 Performance elective & 1 Theory/History course
    • Writing Across Media Platforms
    • Publication Design + Interactive Media
    • Digital Storytelling + Digital Photography

  • Basic Procedures

    1. Students should discuss any internship plans with the internship coordinator prior to contacting a potential field supervisor.  This is to ensure integration of the proposed internship into the student’s academic program, and it provides an opportunity for the student to receive more specific information and guidance regarding potential sites.
    2. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the internship position.  Students should look through the Internship Directory and check for the latest postings on the COM Bulletin Board.  In addition, the internship coordinator, academic advisor, and/or department chair will assist the student in selecting appropriate work sites.
    3. When an organization agrees to accept the student as an intern, the student must schedule a meeting with the field supervisor.  The student should take a resume and portfolio (when appropriate) to the meeting.
    4. The field supervisor must submit to the internship coordinator a description of the work the intern will be expected to perform.
    5. The student then enrolls for the internship through the regular course registration process.  The course schedule will show the internship by course number and five-digit call number. Based on information provided, the internship coordinator will send the field supervisor an intern evaluation form ¾ of the way into the semester.  It must be returned to the internship coordinator by finals week so that credit can be given.
    6. Interns should meet at least twice during the semester with the COM internship coordinator to assess the learning experience.
    7. If the internship is local, the internship coordinator should visit the intern at work at least twice.  For out of town internships regular email correspondence is expected.
    8. The Internship Experience Report must be submitted to the internship coordinator.  Specifically, this is a narrative of about 1,000 words that is an evaluation of the learning experience and site.  The report is not just a list of responsibilities and experiences; it is a critical analysis of those responsibilities and experiences.  It may include a discussion of the extent to which theories learned in the classroom were applied to the workplace.  It may also include a discussion that identifies specific ethical principles and standards used in the decision-making process of work supervisors.

  • Essential Steps: How do I get an internship?

    The successful completion of an internship is validated by the COM internship coordinator’s review of :

    • Approval of the internship by the internship coordinator and department chair.
    •  Submitted job description prior to the beginning of the internship.
    • Proper registration of internship credit.
    • The completion of the intern evaluation form by the field supervisor, assessing the student’s performance.
    • The completion of an Internship Experience Report, which describes and analyzes the internship experience.

Responsibilities

  • Be familiar with the Department’s internship policies and procedures.
  • Complete a resume and portfolio and review those with the academic advisor, internship coordinator, and/or department chair.
  • Work with the academic advisor, internship coordinator and/or department chair to find an appropriate internship opportunity.
  • Become familiar with the general goals, functions and procedures of the agency, firm, or business.
  • Comply with the work ethics and rules of the field.
  • Meet periodically with the COM internship coordinator and field supervisor for evaluation.

Current Students

“Being away this summer and working in this setting made me appreciate Union and the communications department for various reasons, but most importantly, it made me value each of the professors. I always knew Union and their staff worked hard to train and prepare their students, but I was able to fully appreciate and feel the full effects of this this summer as I felt prepared for almost any challenge that came my way.”

Abby Coleman

Bellevue Baptist Church, Summer 2023

“While working as the special effects manager for the Dude Perfect Panda-Monium tour, I was able to directly apply lessons learned in the classroom to a large-scale venue to deliver a show to 200,000 fans across North America. Vital skills in problem solving, communication and time management aided me in working with local crews to bring the light of Christ to thousands of smiling faces through sports, entertainment, and comedy. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of such an incredible team.”

Ethan Voss

Dude Perfect, Summer 2023

lights, videography, dude perfect, internship

My summer as a Digital Marketing Intern for Nashville SC has been a summer of growth for me personally and a summer of learning for me professionally. My classes at Union more than prepared me for this experience and I felt confident in myself and my knowledge to complete any task given to me. The relationships, connections, and experiences I have garnered throughout my time at NSC will be a big stepping stone in my career moving forward.

Reese Owens

Nashville Soccer Club, Summer 2023

Other Internships and Experiences

Our students have experience with a wide variety of businesses, organizations, and companies. Our students are able to find jobs, missions, and experiences that speak to their gifts and interests. We are so proud of all of our students and their accomplishments. Here is a list of some places our students have had the opportunity to learn and grow:

  • Scarlet Rope Project
  • Tractor Supply Co
  • RIFA
  • Alexander, Thompson, & Arnold
  • Sodium Halogen
  • American Bath Group
  • LASCO Fittings
  • theCO
  • United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative
  • West Tennessee Healthcare
  • WBBJ
  • Gibson Electric Membership Corporation
  • Lifeway Christian Resources
  • Gerdau