Frequently Asked Questions for Internship Sponsors
What kinds of writing can Professional Writing interns do?
Professional Writing
interns are trained in theories of rhetoric and writing, both digital and
print. They take courses in research methods, publishing, computer-aided writing,
and rhetorical
theory.
Most of our majors have already completed class projects for local clients.
Some of the tasks for which they are prepared include developing promotional
and marketing materials, designing and testing websites, producing manuals
and training materials, developing documentation for software or computer products,
copyediting
documents, writing press releases or news articles, composing and revising
policy documents, researching and writing grant applications, assisting in
book/journal/magazine publishing processes, or creating tutorials and other
help materials. For more information, read this
description of the PW major.
What do I need
to do as an internship sponsor?
Internship sponsors
work with the internship coordinator to establish appropriate tasks
and goals for the internship experience. Sponsors will need to make
sure tha the goals for the student intern are clear, and they will
need to be available to provide limited guidance on internship projects.
They will also need to sign off on three
documents for the intern:
an internship work agreement form, which details the intern's duties;
a brief mid-semester evaluation form; and a final evaluation form.
These evaluations will be taken into consideration by the internship
coordinator in providing a final evaluation for the interns so it is
important to be as honest as possible.
I would like
to sponsor an intern. What should I do?
If you have a
need for a Professional Writing intern, please contact
the internship coordinator. Remember that most internships are offered
during the Spring semester, although there is some availablity for Fall
and Summer.
What about pay
for the internship?
The vast majority
of internships are unpaid. One reason for this is that the intern receives
course credit for the internship experience; thus, the experience is
considered part of the intern's education. Also, many of our non-profit
agencies and small businesses cannot afford to pay interns. We want
students to consider these opportunities as equal to internships within
larger corporate structures.
I would like
to get a summer intern. What can I do?
We are working
on developing a summer internship course for graduate students in rhetoric
and composition. Please contact us and let us know if this opportunity
interests you.