Search by keyword or name:

Portfolio Guidelines

Three Steps to An Internship

Step One: Verify that you qualify for registering for MMC 4975.

To qualify, you must:

• Be a Senior Communication Major at the time of internship (this means you will have completed 90 semester hours)
• Have completed at least three upper division classes (3000-4000 level) in your concentration within the major.
• Be in good academic standing.

If you satisfy all three of the criteria above (no exceptions), obtain a copy of the Department of Communication Internship Program Guide, read it, fill out an application (available at the Communication office or at (link to form)

Step Two: Finding an Internship

Here is a partial list of firms and organizations that have hosted UNF Communication Interns (need a link). However, the most complete and detailed list of internship opportunities is located in binders at the Communication Department Office. You may also locate an internship through personal contacts and the department is always open to establishing new internship relations with the professional community. However you must be able to work under the supervision of one or more professionals who possess substantially more experience than you.

The Department of Communication will not approve an internship, for example, in which you do PR work for an organization that has no experienced PR professionals (s). At the same time you must seek an internship that is fully consistent with your concentration in the Communication major.

When you find an internship position that appeals to you, contact the organization to set up an interview. Be prepared for your interview. This interview is every bit as important as a future employment interview, so consider it a dress rehearsal for securing a job after graduation. Dress and act professionally. Learn all you can about the internship organization where you will interview. Provide your interviewer with an up-to-date résumé along with pertinent samples of your work. Go to the UNF Career Services Web site for résumé writing and interviewing tips at http://www.unf.edu/dept/cdc/undecided/implementation.html

If the organization accepts you as an intern obtain a letter of intent on company letterhead with an original signature from your prospective internship supervisor. This letter of intent is required to confirm the company’s interest in you. Return it to the Department for inclusion with your application materials at least two weeks prior to last day of classes of the semester or term before you plan to complete your internship.

Step Three: Paperwork for Your Internship File

When you bring your letter of intent to the Communication office, you will be given an information packet and you must complete the forms in the packet and return them to the office BEFORE you will be allowed to register for the course: MMC 4975/Senior Project.

You must return these required forms:

• Internship application
• Internship placement conformation form
• Insurance waiver
• A course requirements page signed by you acknowledging that you have read and understand all course requirements
• A copy of your unofficial transcript, which is available via myWings.

Deadline to submit all paperwork and to register for MMC 4975 is the last day of add/drop for the semester in which you want to participate in the internship

Step Four: Register for MMC 4975

When your internship file is complete the Department Chair will review it and if everything is in order

MMC 4975 Senior Project (Internship) Portfolio Guidelines

Most internships are done shortly before a student is scheduled to graduate, so for most interns finding a job is the next order of business. Therefore, you should prepare your portfolio not only to satisfy a course requirement for MMC 4975 but also to serve as a valuable resource in finding a job.

Senior Project portfolios must include:

• Your resume. There are innumerable online sites that will help you prepare one if you’ve never done so before. You will need this to enter the job market, as we’re sure you know.
• The Portfolio Endorsement form completed by your supervisor. (Be sure to give your supervisor time to look over your portfolio – don’t present it at the last minute. (See attached Word file).
• The full set of weekly progress reports signed by your supervisor.
• The original Supervisor’s Final Evaluation (with original signature from internship site supervisor)
• Student Evaluation of Internship form completed by you. (See attached Word file).
• A 5-to-8 page essay (double-spaced) in which you recap your internship experience, discuss what you gained from it, tell how your coursework at UNF helped you in your internship.
• Examples of relevant work that you completed at the site that you would like the Department and a prospective employer to see (i.e. news releases, ads, feature articles, scripts, video or audio materials). Include explanatory commentary. Many times you will have been one of several contributors to a task. So if you include such work in your portfolio, be sure to explain what you contributed. For any audio or video material submitted on disc, include a description of the content.

Now, about your Senior Project portfolio’s appearance and content—

• 3-ring binder, preferably with section dividers
• Include your name, internship site and semester/term on the cover and the spine
• Page protectors are optional, not mandatory
• PROOFREAD—Use appropriate grammar and spelling. Yes, you will lose points for poor grammar and spelling are not
• Keep it professional! Your writing should be organized and done in a more formal, academic style

Portfolios can be turned in early. We will not accept faxed copies of the portfolio.

Additional helpful information:

1. We strongly suggest that your internship site supervisor writes a recommendation letter for you, detailing your performance as an intern. Please include in your portfolio.
2. There are examples of portfolios from previous semesters available for your review in the Department of Communication office (Bldg. 45, Rm. 2022). Some are great examples and others are “not so great.” We strongly recommend that you come by to look at these portfolios. It could make a big difference.

Remember—a good Senior Project/Internship portfolio can help you obtain a job in the future.

Portfolios are due no later than 2 p.m. on the last day of classes in the term. Check academic calendar on the UNF web site for the specific date.

You can come by to the Department office to pick up your portfolios after grades are posted, if you want it back.

- back to top -