The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience through internships. As part of their academic journey, internships serve as a bridge between classroom learning and professional practice, helping to build essential skills, expand networks, and enhance career prospects in journalism, public relations, advertising, creative media production, professional writing, and beyond.
Pursuing an internship takes preparation and a proactive approach. Whether you're seeking to fulfill an academic requirement or simply looking to gain hands-on experience in the field, the key is to plan ahead. Begin your search 4 to 6 months in advance to ensure that you have enough time to secure a quality internship position that aligns with your career goals.
Gaylord College has requirements to participate in the internship program.
Students are responsible for finding and securing their own internship opportunities. The Gaylord College Internship Director, your professors, advisors, and the OU Career Services team are here to guide you and give recommendations, but please note that we do not place students directly into positions.
You can earn academic credit for your internship, but the experience must directly relate to your major, minor, or certification program. Undergraduate students must enroll in JMC 3800-001 to receive credit for an internship experience. Graduate students and those in online programs are not required to complete an internship but are eligible to do so if desired and should enroll in JMC 5800-001.
Before you can enroll in any internship course, your internship must be reviewed and approved by your Gaylord College advisor. This ensures that your internship meets the criteria for academic credit. After finding an internship opportunity, contact your advisor for a link to online forms you and the employer will need to fill out.
Interns must complete a specified number of work hours that correspond to the credit hours desired for the internship course. The number of hours worked each week will vary based on the internship's duration and the agreement with the business or non-profit organization. The following outlines the number of work hours required for each desired credit hour:
Students must complete all required hours within the semester and cannot receive an extension without prior approval from the Internship Director, and only for extenuating circumstances.
Gaylord College students have interned at a wide variety of prestigious organizations, gaining invaluable experience and making lasting professional connections. Our students have completed internships at leading journalism outlets, advertising firms, public relations agencies, production companies, TV networks, sports teams, and non-profits across the country and around the world.
These internships offer more than just experience—they help build your portfolio, provide insight into the industry, and open doors to future employment. Call or e-mail a media company or non-profit organization and inquire about their internship programs; some companies have internship opportunities listed on their websites. Many corporations that are not in the media business like PayCom offer media-focused internships, so if there is a company you are interested in, reach out and ask about media-related internships.
Several national websites specialize in listing internship opportunities for media companies. These platforms often feature internships in journalism, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, creative media production, professional writing, digital media, and more. Here are some popular sites where students can find media-related internships:
While primarily a job search engine, Indeed lists a wide range of internship opportunities across many fields, including media. You can filter results by "internship" and "media" to find relevant listings.
Known for company reviews, Glassdoor also features internship opportunities, including those in the media industry. You can search for internships in specific media companies or job titles.
A platform designed specifically for students and recent grads, WayUp offers a variety of internships, including those in media, marketing, journalism, and communications. It allows filtering by company type, including media giants.
A specialized job board for the media industry, Mediabistro offers a range of internships in journalism, digital media, marketing, and more. It’s a great platform for those pursuing careers in media, publishing, and communication.
Poynter is a resource in the journalism field, and it features a jobs board that lists internships and entry-level opportunities in journalism and media. This site is ideal for students in journalism or media studies.
LinkedIn’s job search feature often includes internships, and many media companies post internship opportunities directly on the platform. It also allows you to network with professionals in the media industry, which can lead to internship offers.
This site offers internship listings for those interested in the entertainment, film, television, and media sectors. Many internships on this platform are with major media companies, production houses, and broadcasting networks.
ZipRecruiter offers listings for internships in a multitude of media jobs.
Internship seekers can search and apply for current openings on its specialized job board, plus get career guidance and advice.
Features a wide variety of internships and careers in the journalism field.
This site promotes production internships and jobs in the creative media production industry.
At Gaylord College, we ensure that every internship opportunity aligns with the academic and professional goals of our students. The following criteria help determine whether an internship is suitable for academic credit, though final approval must come from Gaylord College before a student can register for internship credit.
Internships must be conducted with a legally established and incorporated organization, such as a business, nonprofit, or government agency. Internships cannot be arranged with individual consultants, independent contractors, or personal acquaintances. Students are not allowed to intern for themselves, relatives, close friends, roommates, romantic partners, or any individual with whom they have a personal relationship that could present a conflict of interest.
Internships must coincide with one of the following academic periods: Spring (January – April), Summer (May – July), or Fall (August – November).
While we highly encourage businesses to pay interns, it is the sole responsibility of the employer to make that determination. The rate of pay for a student’s internship must at least be minimum wage for that location or a monthly or semester financial stipend should be given.
Interns must complete a specified number of work hours that correspond to the credit hours desired for the internship course. The number of hours worked each week will vary based on the internship's duration and the agreement with the business or non-profit organization. The following outlines the number of work hours required for each desired credit hour during a semester:
Internships can be conducted in-person, hybrid, or remotely. If the internship is fully remote, additional documentation may be required to ensure compliance with Gaylord College’s guidelines.
Under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), organizations must ensure that the internship provides a meaningful learning experience that benefits the intern and mirrors the educational experience the student would receive in a classroom environment. Students should not be performing primarily administrative tasks and must not be engaged in physical labor.
The internship must provide a hands-on, media-related learning experience that applies the knowledge gained in the classroom and enhances professional skills in fields such as journalism, public relations, advertising, creative media production, or professional writing.
The internship should have a clear start and end date, along with a detailed description of the intern's tasks, responsibilities, compensation (if applicable), and expectations. This clarity ensures both the intern and the employer have a shared understanding of the role.
Interns should have regular access to a supervisor who provides consistent feedback, orientation, and training. The supervisor must dedicate time and resources to ensure the intern’s success and growth, and have expertise directly related to the intern’s responsibilities, ensuring that the intern receives meaningful mentorship and guidance.
Interns should have opportunities to develop both technical and interpersonal skills, including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Internships should also provide chances to meet industry professionals through meetings, site visits, or conferences.
The host employer must provide necessary resources, equipment, and facilities that support the intern's learning objectives and goals.
By adhering to these standards, Gaylord College ensures that each internship offers valuable educational experiences that are both meaningful and aligned with our students' academic and professional aspirations. Before beginning any internship for credit, students must receive approval from Gaylord College to ensure that their experience meets these requirements.
Please contact the Internship Director Kathleen Johnson if you are interested in having a Gaylord student intern at your company: kjohnson@ou.edu.
At Gaylord College, we’re committed to ensuring that your internship is a transformative part of your education. With the right preparation, mentorship, and determination, you’ll be ready to take the next step in your career.
