5 Steps to YOUR Internship
Communication & Media Studies Internship Program
Director Gerry McNulty
Office: LT 150
PH: 575-3655
Visit our website: http://www.marist.edu/commarts/comm/internship/
Prepare:
1


Target:
2
Apply:
3
Interview:
4
Accept
& Register:
5
Update your resume and prepare your cover letters.
Resumes should be clean, neat, clearly written, factual summations with a FOCUS or specific
goal. Avoid lists of activities that are not goal directed. Your resume should be aimed at a career
choice or path. Use class projects, clubs and other activities to give your resume direction. COM
majors should have resumes reviewed by the Internship Program staff.
Cover letters should include the following information: A) statement that you are seeking an
internship for a specific time frame (Summer? Fall semester?), B) statement that you will be
receiving college credit, C) information about your availability expressed in days per week
(2,3,4). Employers usually don’t care which days; that can be negotiated later.
Surf the web, talk to friends, create your own “TARGET LIST”. A good place to begin is the
Marist Foxquest jobs/Internship database. Here you can search through dozens, even
hundreds of opportunities. Also, search job boards. Some are general; others are specific to a
field, such as Public Relations, or Television/Film (see the handout “Internship Job Boards)
Create a “target list” that focuses on your career goals. A good rule of thumb for Fall/Spring is
to apply to at least 10 sites; for Summer, apply to at least 15-20 sites. If you need help with this,
contact the internship program staff.
Get your resume out there – the sooner, the better. Recommended: Apply 4 months ahead of
the START TIME of the internship for Fall/Spring, 4-6 months ahead for Summer. Your resume
is often the only way an employer knows who you are – so you’ve got to get the resume to
them! Most applications are done via email or electronic submission systems. Follow the
instructions that are given by individual employers.
Employers will contact you for either a telephone interview or an in-person interview. Some
employers are using Skype or other video-calling technologies. The interview is Critical Step! It
is important for you to interview well and sell yourself as a mature, serious student. Media
internships are highly competitive. Call the internship director if you feel you need help
preparing for this important step. NOTE: Many large companies take a while to screen resumes
– be patient, you may not be contacted for weeks. Keep a list of where you applied so that an
employer’s phone call does not “surprise” you.
After you have received one or more offers, then you can accept an internship. This is usually
done verbally – the employer simply asks you “Do you agree to accept this internship?” Don’t
say “yes” unless you mean yes; if you are not sure, say you need time to think about it. Call the
Internship Program staff for advice. Once you have made your decision, contact the Internship
Program Office so you can register for your internship for credit. Also, the Internship Program
staff is authorized to give you “proof of credit” documentation. No one else can do this – do not
ask your faculty advisor for this proof! For Summer internships, see the special yellow handout
with registration info, deadlines, etc.
Questions? Need more information? Contact Communication Internship Program Office
Director Gerry McNulty – Coordinator Deborah Porter
Phone: 845-575-3655 Fax: 845-575-3696 Office: LT 150