The purpose of the mandatory one-month internships (JOU 9799) is to provide students with the opportunity to gain professional experience in a journalism setting. The ideal internship offers students the opportunity to develop their skills, gain a deeper understanding of the professional context of journalism practice, and make connections with working journalists.
In the past, students have completed internships at the following media outlets, among others:
- As It Happens, CBC Radio
- Calgary Herald
- CBC Newsworld
- CTV Newsnet
- Definitely Not the Opera, CBC Radio
- Globe and Mail The Hamilton Spectator
- London Free Press
- MCTV, Sudbury
- National Post
- Studio 2, TVOntario
- W-FIVE, CTV
Basic Criteria
We encourage students to be both creative and practical in their internship choices. A novel or unusual internship may make sense for some students with clearly identified, and realistic, career goals that cannot be met through a practicum with a mainstream media organization. However, it is important for both the students and the reputation of the program that internship choices meet the basic criteria for good journalism practice. This means that the work location must primarily focus on journalism, and not promotion, or serving as a vehicle for the interests of individuals, corporations or groups. A media organization with a clear editorial agenda is acceptable if there is a reasonable level of editorial independence for journalists, if stories are well researched, and if there is a commitment to quality.
Students are encouraged to consult with a member of the journalism faculty to ensure their choices meet the above criteria.
The Process
Students begin to consider possible internship placements towards the end of their first term in the program. At the beginning of second term, students submit a résumé and a list of preferred media placements to the Manager of Graduate Student Services. An internship committee of faculty and staff then begins the process of matching interested employers with student preferences.
Placements are arranged by the end of November, and the internship occurs in January, between the second and third terms. This timing allows students to gain valuable work experience before beginning their career search.
Employers evaluate student performance at the end of the internship period, and students evaluate their internship placement.
Final decisions about placements are the sole responsibility of the internship committee and sometimes students may not be placed in their preferred workplaces. Students may be denied the opportunity to go on an internship placement if academic and other related criteria are not met, as outlined in the Journalism Graduate Student Handbook.
News Coverage
Internships can change students' lives by Becky Blue (Western News, January 25, 2007)
News is new ... even in Abu Dhabi by Heather Travis (Western News, February 12, 2009)
Updated 02/13/2009