Internship Registration

The internship in Communication Studies is designed to help students gain real world experience and build professional outcomes; earn academic credit towards their COMM major; and work one-on-one with a COMM faculty supervisor. Before you initiate the DocuSign below, please contact a COMM faculty member to inquire about their availability to supervise. Once you obtain confirmation from the faculty member you may begin the DocuSign process.

Internship registration must be completed within three weeks of the first day of classes for fall and spring terms, and by the last day of drop/add for the summer semester. Internships are not approved between June 16 and August 15 or between December 15 and January 1. 

Process to Obtain Internship Approval

Step 1: Meet the Prerequisites & Use Career Center Resources

• Sophomore status and good academic standing
• Create a Career Center Handshake account and make an appointment
• Create or update your resume
• Align your future goals with internship opportunities

Step 2: Start the Internship Search Early

Internship sites often advertise and hire interns many months prior to the start date. Potential pathways to internships include:

• Attend the end-of-semester COMM Student Showcase to explore and network with working professionals
• Watch for Communication Studies announcements on internships we learn about - check out our Internship Linktree for current listings
• Your personal and professional network of contacts
• Review our Previous Internship Sites for Communication Studies (PDF)
• Use your Handshake account to look for internships local to your residence
• Set up informational interviews with TU alumni who work in your field of interest
• Attend Career Center career fairs and events and ask questions

Step 3: Obtain Approval

Once you have firmly secured your internship, complete the DocuSign approval/agreement form.

• The first section of the application agreement is completed and signed by the student intern.
• The second section of the application agreement is completed and signed by the Internship Site Supervisor.
• Upon review of the application agreement, the third section will be completed by your COMM faculty supervisor. This portion of the application agreement will approve or deny your application.
  • Note: This application agreement is a formal document and will be denied based on incomplete or inaccurate information. Please be sure to gather all necessary information and double-check your facts prior to initiating the form.
• All signing parties will receive a copy of the completed and finalized agreement and the agreement will be saved to the student's records.

Step 4: Register for the Internship Course (COMM 490)

• Once your internship has been approved for credit, the professional development advisor will send the student intern an email with detailed instructions to register for the internship.

Additionally:

• Internships are an elective for the major, not a requirement
• Internships for credit must be approved in advance using the DocuSign application agreement
• Every 40 hours you work on an approved internship is worth one academic credit
• COMM majors may earn six internship credits (maximum of three in a semester, equivalent to 120 hours of work at the job site), of which three count toward the major
• Students seeking internships arrange work schedules directly with their internship Site Supervisor
• Non-credit internships do not need approval from the internship coordinator

Questions?

Contact Zach Runge, Professional Development Advisor at zrunge AT_TOWSON

 

“ When I received an internship offer from Tesla in Austin, Texas as a junior, Zach Runge (professional development advisor) was instrumental in helping me make a class schedule that allowed me to graduate on time...Marcy Lightfoot (MAC Career Coach) has been super helpful and supportive, particularly giving advise on negotiating pay, looking over my resume, and working on interview tactics ”