Learn to Intern

Hi Everyone,

I’m Jen, a senior and English major as well as a (hard) Work(ing) Study Student in the department. I am one of the three graduating seniors who have chosen the journalism specialization within the English major. What a small, immensely talented group we are! As you may or may not know, considering our number is so small, the journalism specialization within the English major requires an internship for academic credit. I’m going to talk a little bit about that in case you too are in the journalism biz or maybe you just want to do an internship instead of a class for fun.

I completed my stint in the real world of reporting last semester with Worcester Magazine, an alternative weekly magazine that you’ve probably seen around in the UC or various small businesses around the city. It was a very enjoyable experience, particularly because I got to know a bit more about Worcester, which is something that I feel many Clarkies could stand to do once in awhile. I also got to do some cool things (for free!), which is one of the very fun parts of journalism. For example, I took a cooking class and got a psychic reading! I was published in every single issue and have something substantial to write on my resume. Overall, good deal.

Please note that the expectation of monetary compensation from your work is allowed by Clark but fairly uncommon, and especially unrealistic in the print-journalism industry, which I’ve heard is terminally ill. The skills you learn, however, will translate well to online-publication employment.

You can apply to or find out more about internships for credit here. Each semester-long internship requires 140 hours total, which is about 10 hours a week. You’ll need to write up a proposal and grab a faculty advisor (mine was Professor Elliott) who will check in with you periodically and assess your final project, which is required and can really be anything. Mine was a portfolio and a reflective essay. Credit is given on a pass/fail basis, so if you can hold it together to some extent, you’re in! I think this system is good because there is less academic pressure to do well in a non-academic setting. Just focus on your work and you will be fine. To apply for a single-semester internship, your GPA must be 2.75, and 3.0 for a year-long internship.

One kind of inconvenient thing about the system is that you must pay “tuition” for one class if you want to complete your internship during the summer, so that option takes some consideration on your part.

Again, you can see the link above for all the information or contact the kind and helpful Career Services staff at careers@clarku.edu or 508-793-7258. I know other Clarkies who have interned at the Telegram and Gazette, and a Communication and Culture major who has interned with a music website and has had the opportunity to interview several esteemed musicians in the metal community. Additionally, I was glad to leave the position of WoMag intern in the capable hands of fellow-Clark English major, Vanessa Formato, as seen here. Best of luck. Hope to see your name in print soon!

Jen