Department of English Internship Information Page
Dr. Michael Filas, Internship Coordinator
(413) 572-5683, Bates 07, mfilas@wsc.ma.edu
Welcome English majors! Ever wonder how all your schoolwork is going to get you anywhere in life? Take an internship and get first-hand experience using your English skills directly in the workforce.
Internship Information Meeting
Tuesday, March 20, 5:00-6:00, Bates 223
Come hear from current interns and learn about internship opportunities and the placement process for fall 2012.
INTERNSHIP FORMS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND DIRECTIONS
| Where are internships? |
Interns have worked in journalism assignments at The Daily Hampshire Gazette, The Valley Advocate, The Westfield Evening News, and The Springfield Republican. They have done public relations work and market research at hospitals such as Cooley-Dickinson and Bay State, at the Big E., and for Westfield State College. Here on campus our interns have also worked in college Grant Writing, Alumni Relations, and the President's office. Beetle Press, which publishes Focus Magazine, also regularly has interns who write features, do original research, and conduct interviews. If you're interested in library science you may want to do an internship at the Westfield Athenaeum. And if you're feeling adventuresome and interested in federal government, you can pursue an internship for a summer or a semester in Washington D.C. in any number of fields (and grants are sometimes available to fund the experience). Other local possibilities have included political non-profit organizations, theatre companies, and magazine editorial offices. New local internships are becoming possible in technical writing and possibly literary editing for a small independent press. |
| What do interns do? |
Internship assignments vary, but each includes writing and writing-related tasks. Many involve researching and writing newspaper stories and features, and also various types of listings for newspapers. Many public relations internships involve media interfacing, and research, compiling data, and internal corporate communications. Interns commonly generate database content and enter it, write procedures, write articles for newsletters and magazines, and write other things such as a library archive notes, take photographs for publications, and research and write grant materials. Typically an intern will be called upon to use Microsoft Office skills, and in some cases learn situation-specific programs, methodologies, or systems.
The Washington D.C. Internship program offers a varied and different flavor of opportunities and can be researched more at this link. English majors interested in The Washington Center may make their initial inquiry through Prof. Filas or through Maureen McCartney at WSC Career Services, 413-572-5206, or mmccartney@wsc.ma.edu. |
| When can I get an internship? |
Speak to Prof. Filas about an intership during the advising period in the semester before the one during which you want to intern. So, a person wanting to take their first intership during the fall semester of their junior year would come during spring advising their sophomore year. |
| How many hours are required for an internship? |
Internships can be done for 3 credits in a semester, which requires 120 hours of total work, which is about 8 hours per week during a fall or spring semester. They can also be done for 6 credits in a semester, which is 240 hours total, and averages to 16 hours per week in a fall or spring term. The details of the schedule are worked out directly between the intern and their on-site supervisor. |
| Can I do multiple internships? |
Yes. A student may have up to 12 total credits of internships count towards graduation. Doing more than one internship can considerably broaden your exposure to real world working situations and experience. Multiple internships are not done at the same time, but rather in sequential semesters or years. |
| Do I qualify for an internship? |
Internship candidates must be English majors, and generally have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B), and be of Junior or Senior status when the internship begins (60 completed credits). A list of some relevant writing (and other) classes and the recommendation of two faculty members are also requested when you apply. If you're close but don't quite make the requirements, come see Prof. Filas anyway. Sometimes the details of a person's situation make a difference. |
| Do I provide my own transportation to the internship? |
Yes. Transportation is an issue that helps determine where you can intern. Some internships are on campus at the Horace Mann Center, others require a car or mass transit. Assignments have been made in Great Barrington, Springfield, and Northampton. (The Washington D.C. internships involve housing arrangements for the duration of the assignment.) |
| What about costs and wages? |
Interns generally do not get paid, and in fact have to pay for the credits they register for, and pay for their own transportation costs. Instead of wages, interns gain valuable work experience, resume content, and industry contacts. |
| Do I get a grade for my internship? |
Yes. Prof. Filas will collect from you weekly activity reports, a midterm reflection, and a final report. During the semester you will meet several times with Prof. Filas, mostly at his office and a few times at your internship site, with your on-site supervisor and Prof. Filas. At the end, your on-site supervisor completes an evaluation, and Prof. Filas assigns a grade. |
| I'm interested, what do I do now? |
Meet with Prof. Filas, and bring your resume if you have one. If you meet the qualifications, he will review your resume and help you develop your materials to get set up with a good internship for your needs. This often takes a few meetings and some coordination with your internship site, including a personal interview for you with the on-site internship supervisor. Once things are settled, you are typically registered for your credits during add-drop in the semester during which you're doing your internship. |
