Internships in Public Relations: Using narrative to examine the nature of intern’s experience. • Catherine Gugerty, University of South Florida • This narrative analysis examines the nature of the experience of public relations interns. Three decades of scholarly inquiry into the internship experience has provided little insight into the actual experience of the interns themselves. Yet what we learn directly from their individual experience can provide both educators and professionals valuable insight for enhancing the learning process. The following study is an analysis of the journals and reflective essays written by 11 undergraduate students as they participated in a public relations internship. The interns’ experience follows four themes: (1) positive interpretation of duties, (2) influence of site supervisors, (3) lessons learned, and (4) the overwhelming endorsement of the experience.
Hyperlocal News Internships and Digital Practicums: Blurring the Distinction Between Students and Professionals • Ed Madison, University or Oregon • News internships have long been a way for college students to gain practical experience before entering professional careers in journalism. However, the definition and dynamics of what constitutes an internship are changing, in pace with the technological and economic changes presently facing media organizations. This qualitative research study looks at three university journalism schools are actively partnering with mainstream media organizations to create digital practicums. These programs often center on “hyperlocal” news web sites.
International service-learning as a mechanism for building skills in mass communication: enhancing ability through authentic experiences • Amanda Sturgill, Elon University; Sang Nam, Elon University; Phillip Motley, Elon University • This paper uses a qualitatively analyzed case study to examine the value of service-learning overseas in developing communication skills that are difficult to teach in the regular classroom. Does the immersive environment of international travel, combined with the application of communication skills for a real-world client, create an authentic setting in which to develop skills essential to career success? Such skills include client management, analysis and application of visual culture, working in an autonomous group and determining the appropriate use of technology to gather and present content. Four different group projects in Latin America were studied. Journals, researcher memos, public blogs, focus groups and final project artifacts were analyzed, and support was found for skill acquisition in such a setting.