Summer 2016 Preliminary Opportunities
The School of Communication has a distinct advantage among competitive peer institutions. Through
SOC’s signature Dean’s Intern Program and AU’s premiere location in the Nation’s Capital, students are
invited to compete for meaningful, real-world assignments with our strategic partners. These
distinguished learning opportunities provide substantive work experiences with world class organizations
and often lead to jobs. Students selected as Dean’s Interns become SOC ‘external ambassadors’ and
help strengthen our ongoing partner relationships.
SOC Dean’s Internships are open to juniors, seniors, graduate students and recent graduates with an
SOC major. Position options vary from semester to semester as we forge new alliances with emerging
industries, institutions, and associations. Students have opportunities to earn bylines, production credits
and professional respect for their work and are often invited back by their host organization for contract or
full-time positions after graduation.
Dean's Internships with SOC’s Host Partners
USA Today – Newsroom, Marketing and Video Production Internships http://www.usatoday.com
 Select and publish stories, write headlines, SEO keywords, summaries for mobile podcasts
 Integrate video, crop photos, add interactive elements, monitor performance/traffic data
 Video interns shoot. edit and publish shows to USAT website, find visuals to support stories
 $12.00 per hour; 15 hours per week; mid-January – April; work at USA TODAY headquarters
https://career4.successfactors.com/career?company=Gannett&career%5fns=job%5flisting%5fsu
mmary&navBarLevel=JOB%5fSEARCH&site=VjItM284S3BtMThsMGpPaGVYSkNjYWVuUT09&
_s.crb=2Yug3BYeStPfHMCt794QmKVTGFI%3d
National Geographic/Fox -- Communications, Brand Marketing, Production/Creative www.nationalgeographic.com/
 Work with Nat Geo Communications Team of media relations for programs and magazine
 Assist with Fox/Nat Geo brand integration; Marketing productions for on-air promotions
 $12.00 per hour; 2 or 3 days for up to 24 hours per week. Schedules vary.
 http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/programs/ngs-geography-internship
NBC4 Washington – Digital, broadcast and network positions - http://www.nbcwashington.com
 Participate in social media campaigns, develop multimedia content, cut and upload videos
 Digital Intern writes news/entertainment pieces for NBC Washington.com and mobile web
 Other internships with Meet the Press, CNBC, MSNBC, Sports, Advertising/Promotion,
Sales/Marketing Advertising/Promotion, Community Affairs -http://www.nbcwashington.com/on-air/about-us/Internships-at-NBC4-89614052.html
 $10.50 per hour; 10-15 hours per week depending on position. Close to AU
NPR – Editorial Internship on Education Desk - http://www.npr.org/
 Work closely with NPR reporters, editors, bloggers, producers
 Learn to gather and cut tape, and build clipboards for audio stories, write blog posts
 $10 per hour; 20+ hours per week; Work at new NPR headquarters on Metro red line
The Washington Post – Writing and Reporting Internships - www.washingtonpost.com
 Write news stories and feature articles on community issues, education, crime, obits, etc.
 Earn bylines for stories published in The Washington Post and washpost.com
 $10.50 per hour; Two days per week in Post Metro newsroom or out covering stories
 https://careers.washingtonpost.com/intern/news/introduction
Discovery Communications – Agency Rotational Internship -- http://corporate.discovery.com
 Unique THREE semester positions for exceptional AUSOC students to build practical skills by
working on actual business challenges for Discovery networks and corporative initiatives
 Work with Insights & Research, Media Planning, Creative and Communications & Social
 Year-long commitment; begins June 1, 2016 – April 2017 (summer, fall & spring semesters)
 Paid, credit optional. 30-40 hours in summer; 20-30 hours during fall and spring;
Interface Media Group – Production and Post-Production --- www.interfacemedia.com
 Work with producers and creatives to develop and execute design concepts
 Observe and assist in studio and on location shoots
 Participate in internal meetings and shadow post-production client sessions
 $10.50 per hour; 16-24 hours per week; 10 weeks mid-January - April
Current.org – Editorial Internship - http://www.current.org/
 Research and write about public broadcasting and media for Current.org
 Substantive opportunities for writing/reporting, quantitative research, and web publishing
 $12 - $15 per hour; 10-15 hours per week; Metro Red line to Takoma Park.
The Durango Herald – Reporting Internship – www.durangoherald.com
 Cover national issues and Colorado Congressional delegation for news of regional interest
 Stories will appear with your byline in print and online issues of The Durango Herald
 $1,200 stipend and all-expense paid site visit to Durango CO to meet editors
The Newseum – Video Production Assistant; Marketing; Exhibitions -- http://newseum.org
 Producing/editing/archiving video within the broadcast production department
 Assist with social media, promotions, and advertising programs
 20 hours per week; for-credit internship open to juniors, seniors and grad students
Chronicle of Higher Education – Reporting Internships – http://chronicle.com
 Full-time internship for students or recent grads with skills and interest in journalism career
 Report and write daily news articles for Chronicle website and blog
 $625 per week; opening every semester - http://chronicle.com/section/Editorial-Internships/158/
Additional opportunities will be posted as they become available on the Dean’s Intern webpage –
www.American.edu/deansinternships or posted on AU’s CareerWeb.
Read DI Blog with first-person stories by Dean’s Interns about their experiences on the job –
http://socdeansintern.blogs.american.edu
Application Process:
 Apply for most Dean’s Internships by submitting materials to DeansInterships@American.edu
 Some host partners -- NBCWashington, USA TODAY, Chronicle of Higher Ed – also have
students submit their applications directly to the organization’s website. See links above.
 Submit typed application, resume, cover letter, and three writing or production samples or a link
to your website with portfolio or work samples.
Application Deadline: 11:00 pm Tuesday, March 15 or dates specified by host partner.
Questions? Contact Lydia Schindler, SOC Dean’s Intern Coordinator, LydiaS@american.edu ; 202-8852220, or come visit and introduce yourself in McKinley Rm # 215 (across from the Dean’s Office).