Internships
Consistent with its policy of combining classwork with practical training, the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism requires each student to complete an advisor-approved internship. Interns are provided with varied hands-on experiences in media-related organizations. Internship opportunities are located throughout the nation and abroad. Scripps Notes, the school's weekly publication (also available online) and the college's internship office provide information about various internship opportunities available to journalism students.
On-Campus Opportunities
ACRN (online at acrn.com) is a student-run radio station broadcast entirely on the Internet. Students can work as DJs, journalists, as well as in management and sales positions.
The Athena is Ohio University's yearbook. The yearbook staff consists of students who volunteer their time to fill positions in graphics, copy writing, photography, advertising and promotions. The Athena, which is published each fall, is available for sale throughout the school year. Students who are interested in working on the Athena yearbook may apply for general staff positions throughout the year.
The Athens Messenger (athensmessenger.com and The Athens News (athensnews.com) offer opportunities for students to complete reporting and editing assignments. Both publications are always looking for good reporters and hire many Journalism students. In addition, students may enroll in Jour 332, Reporting Practice, and Jour 334, Editing Practice.
Athens MidDay (online at athensmidday.com) comprises two Journalism classes (Jour 458 and Jour 459) and a Media Arts & Studies (formerly Telecommunications) class. Students in these classes produce a noon, live newscast that covers Athens county and OU news and is aired on cable channel 25. Most of the Journalism students are juniors or seniors. The Media Arts & Studies students are second- and third-year students, except for the directors, who tend to be seniors. Prerequisites for Athens MidDay on the Journalism side: Jour 350 and Jour 352 for Jour 458 (writing/reporting) and Jour 452 and Jour 458 for Jour 459 (producing/anchoring).
The Ohio Journalist is the student-produced alumni magazine of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. The twice-yearly publication provides alumni with news about the school and its students, faculty, staff, and graduates. Students can work for the Journalist as volunteers or for credit (the for-credit option requires considerable commitments of time and effort). For more information, contact the Journalist at ohiojournalist@ohio.edu.
The Post (online at thepost.baker.ohiou.edu) is the daily, independent student newspaper, which in about 1990, became the first totally paginated college newspaper in the country. Offices are located in Baker Center. Some positions on The Post are paid, while others are not. Any student can contact the editor about working in writing, editing, photography or advertising on the paper.
In cooperation with The Sales Centre in the College of Business, the School of Journalism provides students the opportunity to earn a certificate in media sales. This is a professional development program that uses advertising coursework from the School of Journalism and marketing courses through The Sales Centre in the College of Business. Admission to the program is competitive and applications can be obtained from the Sales Centre, Copeland 609.
Southeast Ohio magazine (online at ohiou.edu/southeastohio) is published three times a year (winter, spring and summer/fall) and covers 20 southeast Ohio counties. It is the only student-published regional magazine of its kind in the country. The staff, consisting of students enrolled in Magazine Production Practice, J431, uses the experience as a practical internship. Students create each 48-page issue by developing article ideas, writing and editing articles, designing pages, and obtaining photographs. Southeast Ohio is sold by subscription and on newsstands in the region.
SpeakEasyMag.com (online at speakeasymag.com) focuses on campus life, particularly in the areas of the arts and culture. Students can work as writers, editors and web designers.
The WOUB Center for Public Media (online at WOUB) in the Scripps College of Communication is home to WOUB Radio & TV, which includes two public TV stations, six radio stations, a cable TV station and Web site. In the WOUB newsroom, students prepare and broadcast news, sports and weather reports. Students work on a variety of programs such as a weekly sports talk show, news specials and the student-produced Newswatch, a half hour, weekday TV newscast. Volunteer and paid positions are available to students in any major. WOUB News is located in Room 359 of the Radio-TV Building. For more information, contact Tim Sharp, News Director, sharpt@ohio.edu.
Student Organizations in the JSchool and College of Communication
Ohio University Advertising Association (Ad Club) is a student chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Students get hands-on experience developing national advertising campaigns, through a competition sponsored by the AAF. In addition to participating in a national career day, the club hosts professionals from all areas of the advertising industry.
Association for Women in Communications (AWC) provides programs, contacts and services for communication students. The OU chapter regularly hosts professional speakers and attends national and regional conferences.
Black Student Communication Caucus (BSCC) fosters consistent dialogue and interaction among black communications majors, voices concerns of the black students within the College of Communication, and promotes awareness and understanding of minorities in the communication field. Membership is open to all students.
Online Journalism Student Society (OJSS) was created to prepare students for the growing high-speed, Internet-based media world. The organization addresses such issues as the cultural, legal and ethical matters in online journalism. It also provides students with hands-on experience dealing with the skills needed in the high-tech field. OJSS was formed to compliment the new online journalism sequence but is open to students from all sequences.
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is a pre-professional organization affiliated with the Public Relations Society of America designed to provide its members with practical experiences in public relations. Activities include weekly meetings, socials, internships, public relations experience, and conferences.
Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) is a student chapter of an international professional organization. The group allows students to learn from professionals at regional conferences and as campus guests. It provides networking opportunities for students seeking internships and jobs and hosts an annual regional broadcasting conference.
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) promotes journalism as an ethical profession. The group conducts many programs and activities each year, such as sponsorship of speakers and panel discussions, social events, service projects, and other events that provide opportunities to learn and gain new skills. SPJ members attend national and regional networking conventions and work on issues relating to ethics and freedom of information.
