For Sponsors

English majors at Mason develop critical and practical abilities that prepare them to do internships in many arenas of professional writing, including magazine writing, technical writing and editing, writing for the web, publications and editing, public relations writing, writing for the arts, and more.

Our basic requirements for English internships-for-credit are that 1) the intern take on communications-related work similar to that of an entry-level professional in the field, and 2) the intern receive supervision from someone on site whose position or expertise is in writing or communications. In other words, we want to avoid situations in which the student intern is the sole source of communications expertise.

The ideal internship gives the student some variety in tasks and projects and provides a learning curve that rises and levels off periodically through the semester.

Below are answers to questions often posed by internship sponsors. Contact Prof. Erica Jacobs, the English Department Internship Director, if you have questions about setting up or advertising an internship for credit at your organization.

 

What do I need to do as an internship site supervisor?

  • Provide the intern with the instruction and guidance appropriate to internships as learning experiences for students
  • Work with the intern and the internship coordinator to establish appropriate tasks and clear goals for the internship
  • Complete three forms for the intern:
    • an internship agreement, which details the intern's duties, the internship's start and end dates, and the hours per week.
    • a mid-term evaluation form
    • a final evaluation form
  • Hold mid-term and exit interviews in which you provide the intern with feedback on his or her performance

 

What kinds of tasks and responsibilities does the intern take on?

For the intern to earn academic credit, he or she undertakes work similar to that of an entry-level professional in your field.

We expect that this will include some combination of writing, editing, analysis and research, with other tasks that support the more central activities of writing and editing (attending meetings, helping plan events, creating spreadsheets, etc.)

The internship should yield some portfolio samples for the student. While we understand that much of a writer's work is not actually putting words to paper, we would like the intern to gain some solid samples to add to his or her portfolio. (We recognize that in some industries interns will need to sign nondisclosure agreements and can work with such organizations.)

How many hours do interns typically work?

Interns work a total of 130 - 150 hours to earn 3 academic credits. Thus an intern typically works 10 hours a week for 13 to 15 weeks. It is also possible to arrange for a shorter time span with more hours per week, if the intern's schedule permits.

Occasionally a student may earn 6 academic credits for an internship. For such an internship, the work should be higher-level or more varied than for a 3 credit internship. The idea here is that the student remain challenged throughout the internship; in other words, it's not just a matter of more hours per week, but rather of more substantial tasks and responsibilities.

When do internships typically start and end?

For the internship to parallel the academic term, its span will be one of the following:

  • Late August - early December (Fall term)
  • Mid-January - early May (Spring term)
  • Late May - mid-August (Summer term - more flexible)

 

When should I contact you letting you know we are seeking interns?

Students are likely to begin thinking about internships when they register for courses; this is in late October and early April. However, we have had success finding interns for positions advertised up until just before or after the term begins. Predictably, as students' schedules become more fixed, the less likely they are to accommodate an internship.

  • A description of the intern's main tasks and responsibilities
  • A list of the skills, abilities, and/or experience you are seeking in an intern
  • Number of hours per week; this may be a range
  • If applicable, specific days and times the intern will spend on site
  • Start and end dates (including whether these are flexible)
  • Application deadline
  • Contents of the application package (resume, letter of application, writing samples, etc.) and contact information

Please indicate whether you would like the announcement sent to undergraduates only, graduate students only, or both.

Send your announcement to Dr. Erica Jacobs ejacob1@gmu.edu.