The Program

The School of Communication has a distinct advantage among competitive peer institutions for the myriad experiential learning opportunities that are offered to students. We work with world class partners to provide selected Dean’s Interns with meaningful, real-world assignments that provide recognition and future pathways to jobs. Students selected as Dean’s Interns become SOC ‘external ambassadors’ to help build stronger relationships with strategic partners. Dean’s Intern opportunities (listed below) may vary from semester to semester as we forge new alliances with emerging businesses, institutions, and associations.
Learn more

Dean’s Internship opportunities are announced throughout the year as opportunities arise. The positions may be paid and/or for-credit internships. Check this webpage or search for “SOC Dean’s Internships” through the AU Career Web. For further information, email Kim Husted (kimh@american.edu) or drop by the Strategic Partnerships & Programs Office (MGC rm. 302) and introduce yourself.

Meet 2013 Dean's interns

Intern First Person Profiles

FAQ

Metro reporting, web producing, and multimedia internships – generally offered fall and spring 

Dean’s Interns will work in The Washington Post newsroom with Post staff members to develop stories for the newspaper and washingtonpost.com. Interns must have excellent writing and reporting skills and a strong foundation in basic journalism. Opportunities are available in several departments:

• Reporting for Metro -- write and report news and feature stories on community events, human interest, education, transportation, politics, crime. SOC students earned over 200 Post bylines last year.
• Web Producing (web producers work on stories and pages on the website itself, adding headlines, summaries, web elements and creativity to stories so that they are more appealing to online readers)
• Video for multiple platforms
• Photography
• News graphics
• Web development (solid foundation in HTML5; experience in Phython a plus)

Selected undergraduate or graduate students will work 10 - 15 hours and will be paid a $500 stipend by the Post.

Communications and Ad Sales Internships – generally offered each semester

The National Geographic Society has been inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888. It is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, and the promotion of environmental and historical conservation.

Both National Geographic's Communications and Marketing Ad Sales departments are seeking Dean’s Interns. The Communications interns will assist with day-to-day media relations and will work closely with Communications department staff to promote all aspects of National Geographic, including its magazines, programs and products. The Marketing Ad Sales interns assist the Marketing Ad Sales department with client creative and brand briefs, learn to write scripts and turn them into on-air spots, observe the creation of monthly and quarterly ad sales communications such as newsletters and webinars, and assist with competitive tracking. Download application

Academic credit is required for both internships.

Public Relations Internship – generally offered each semester

LivingSocial is redefining local commerce. They are helping their members discover valuable experiences and create connections with the best local merchants. LivingSocial is interested in students who have bold new ideas and the appetite to make them a reality. At LivingSocial, they move fast, take risks, and take pride on staying flexible, fun, and ferociously committed to executing each day. Do you want to be challenged by your job and be surrounded by passionate, dedicated, and creative people?

This Dean’s Internship is with the LivingSocial Communications team. The intern will develop media outreach materials, including press releases, media advisories, fact sheets and contact lists. Interns also contribute to the public social media presence and engage bloggers and journalists to help tell the LivingSocial story. For this position, Living Social wants a highly motivated, sharp, ambitious Public Relations student who’s looking for hands-on experience in the fast-paced and constantly changing world of social commerce. Download application

Academic credit is required.

Video, Social Media, or Investigative Internship – generally offered each semester

Know your way around a digital camera? Interested in using social media as a marketing tool? Or, do you like to dig into data for investigative stories? A Dean’s Internship at USA TODAY may be the right fit for you. As a video journalism intern, you can be part of the team that shoots, edits and posts breaking news, trend and feature stories for one of the top news sites in the country. Or, you can help with USA Today's strategic social media efforts. Or be a part of their award-winning investigative team. All options allow SOC’s Dean’s Interns to play an important role at USA Today while learning from industry professionals.
Download application

Academic credit is required.

Research Associate and Social Media Intern – generally offered each semester

The Newseum provides a stimulating and enjoyable intern experience that highlights news history with high tech/hands on exhibits. The museum is funded by the Freedom Forum, a non-partisan foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people. Dean's Interns will work in the Newseum Broadcast Department and will be trained under the supervision of professionals assisting in the production of video and electronic content for various exhibits and interactive applications. Download application

Selected Dean's Interns will work 15-20 hours per week with the opportunity for a flexible schedule.

Academic credit is required.

Editorial Intern – generally offered each semester 

Current, the bi-weekly newspaper and web site for public broadcasters, became a part of American University in Jan. 2011. Editorially independent, Current is the major publication for the public media profession. With more than 5,000 subscribers, Current is read by people involved in public TV and public radio: station employees, independent producers, volunteers, viewers and listeners. AU students work as researchers and reporters with Current staff to provide thorough and accurate coverage of the industry. Download application

Number of hours weekly and pay:

• Graduate student: 8 hours/week, $15.50/ hour
• Undergraduate junior or senior: 10 hours/week, $12.50/hour

Academic credit is not required.

National Museum of American History Video Interns – generally offered each summer

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has partnered with SOC to provide Dean’s Interns with exciting opportunities to contribute to the country’s treasure trove of history. Students with strong video skills will have a chance to work alongside historians and curators to make films of importance about artifacts and artisans in the museum’s collection. This unique opportunity will enable students a chance to go behind the scenes at a great institution.

Climate Change Video Intern – generally offered in the summer 

The National Park Service is entrusted with the care of the nation’s natural resources. With the help of volunteers and park partners, NPS is proud to safeguard these nearly 400 places and to share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year.  

The National Park Service has a unique opportunity for video students interested in climate change and nature. . Climate change is affecting all national parks. National Park Service interpreters have unparalleled opportunities to educate the public about climate change and its effects on parks, communities, and visitors. One essential aspect of that education is ensuring that all people – both park visitors and the interpreters themselves – understand the basic science of climate change. As an intern, you will produce several short videos to teach people important information about climate change and how it is affecting the National Parks. This internship, generally offered in the summer, is full-time, 30-40 hours per week, at $14 per hour.

Academic credit is not required.

Photo/Video Intern

WAMU 88.5 is the leading public radio station for NPR news and information in the greater Washington D.C. area.

WAMU seeks photo/video interns to support its coverage of local news and station events. This is an excellent opportunity for budding photo/video journalists to broaden their portfolios. The interns will shoot both still photography and video of breaking and enterprise news to support the radio news stories. They may also go on independent assignments as required. Interns must supply and maintain their own equipment. University-supplied equipment may be available dependent on the academic program in which the intern is enrolled. Successful candidates will have excellent photography and/or video skills. Proficiency with video editing suites is a plus. This internship, generally offered each semester, is part-time, 10-15 hours per week.
Download application

Academic credit is required.

3-Minute Fiction Intern – generally offered fall and spring

NPR has many dimensions. First and foremost , they are a multimedia news organization and radio program producer. They are a network with a strong base of member stations and supporters nationwide. They are innovators and developers - exploring new ways to serve the public via digital platforms and improved technologies. They are also the leading membership and representation organization for public radio.

NPR seeks a Dean’s Intern to work with Weekend All Things Considered and their Three-Minute Fiction segment. The intern will:

• Assist the three-minute fiction producer with production of the radio segment
• Review submissions
• Coordinate judging, and occasionally judge submissions on their own

The Dean’s Intern must have advanced writing skills, superb attention to detail and multi-tasking abilities. Candidates should enjoy fiction and have a desire to learn more about radio production. Interest and experience in audio or radio production a plus. 10-20 hours per week, Minimum wage. Download application

Academic credit is required for this internship.

National Academy of Sciences

Science Communication internships - generally offered each semester.

Dean's interns will work directly with the project director for the Public Interfaces of the Life Sciences Initiative and associated NAS staff on a variety of research, administrative, and partnership development activities. Interns will be encouraged to independently seek related activities outside the National Academies and report on relevance or connections to the Public Interfaces of the Life Sciences initiative. These activities can include congressional hearings, seminars at other think tanks, shadowing federal officials or others involved in science communications to observe their activities, among others possibilities. Given the intern’s talent and interest there may be opportunities to work on other communication science activities within the NAS.

Academic credit required.