Employment Guidelines

You must be of junior or senior status in the Communication Studies, Film, Journalism, and/or Public Relations majors in order to enroll in COMS/JOUR 194.
You must be employed in a position that applies concepts and theories learned in your Communication Studies, Film, Journalism, and/or Public Relations coursework to date at Sacramento State.

Eligible positions may include, but are not limited to:

• a public relations professional for an agency or state office
• a reporter or producer for a news organization
• a political aide or campaign associate
• a communications director in a for-profit or non-profit organization
• a marketing professional at a radio or television station
• a video production assistant or editor for a media company

Ineligible positions include, but are not limited to:

• a restaurant host or server
• a receptionist or administrative assistant
• a bank teller
• a retail staffer or crew member

If your current position is not listed above, or if you have questions about potential eligibility, please schedule an appointment with the Internship Coordinator to assess if your employment is compatible with the course’s academic requirements.

Credit Guidelines

COMS/JOUR 194 cannot be used as an upper-division elective in your major. These units can only be used for the total units required (120) toward graduation.
You may receive a maximum of six units for work experience. Use the following guidelines to determine the number of units:

• Working 9-17 hours per week = 3 units
• Working 18+ hours per week = 6 units

Enrollment Guidelines

Before enrolling, please consult with ComS internship coordinator, Timi Poeppleman, to assess your position’s eligibility for COMS/JOUR 194 credit.
If your position is deemed eligible, you will need to obtain permission from your supervisor to receive credit for your Communication Studies, Film, Journalism, or Public Relations-related work experience. Your supervisor may submit this permission to the ComS internship office via the COMS/JOUR 194 Supervisor Approval form.
After the ComS internship office has reviewed your supervisor’s approval form, you will be asked to provide a formal Student Learning Agreement for COMS/JOUR 194.

Deadline: Enrollment materials (including our Supervisor Approval form) must be submitted to the Department for review and completion no later than Friday at noon on the first week of the semester.

Grading Guidelines

Your work will be assessed via two self-evaluations and two supervisor evaluations submitted during the semester in which you are enrolled in COMS/JOUR 194. (The ComS internship office will reach out separately to your supervisor for their evaluation at the middle and end of the semester.)
Your self-evaluation assignments will be posted and submitted on Canvas. Questions and topics for each may include (but are not limited to):

Self-Evaluation #1 (Midterm; questions are subject to change)

1. What is your concentration and in what ways did your courses prepare you for your position?
2. What specific aspects your Sac State ComS/Film/Jour/PR studies have proven useful in your position to date?
3. What new ComS/Film/Jour/PR concepts, theories, and skills have you learned in your position?
4. In what aspects of your work do you need additional preparation that was not provided in your courses?
5. Describe the supervision you receive in your position. Is it adequate, and what ways would you recommend it be different, if at all?
6. Describe your career aspirations within your current position and beyond.

Self-Evaluation #2 (Final; questions are subject to change)

1. Describe your level of satisfaction with your current position.
2. Identify the most important lessons and insights learned in your current position.
3. In what ways has your position impacted your career plans? Explain.
4. What advice would you offer a new ComS/Film/Jour/PR student entering the degree program?
5. What are your plans to continue developing your career? Include any plans for continuing your academics.
6. Discuss your career goals and ways they may have changed since the last paper.

The ComS internship office will reach out separately to your supervisor to request midterm and final evaluations for your work. Late, missing, and/or Incomplete evaluations may result in no credit for COMS/JOUR 194.

For More Information

Contact the Department Of Communication Studies Internship Coordinator at comsinternoffice@csus.edu.