Questions?
Contact DeansInternships@american.edu.
Bringing Community Stories to Life
Ellana Sloan, SOC/BA '17
Every person you meet has a unique and powerful story.
The first time Ellana Sloan worked at an off-location shoot was one of the most exciting days of her Dean's Internship at NBC4-Washington. She acted as the main assistant to NBC4's creative services producer, helping to finalize the shooting agenda, set up the scene, and time dialogue. Even minor tasks such as checking white balance or holding reflectors took on extra meaning because they were all part of bringing the story to life. For Ellana, it was exciting to capture people's emotions on camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Dean’s Internships and other internships?
All internships offer students the benefits of experiential learning, but Dean's internships are distinguished in the following ways:
- The School of Communication Strategic Partnerships Office works with nationally-recognized partners to recruit top students for substantive positions through an internal competitive process.
- Our host partners appreciate and respect that Dean's Interns have been reviewed and vetted by faculty. They evaluate the pool of candidates and make their final selections based on the needs of the position.
- You may also apply on your own for internships through an organization's website. If you are hired by a host party and distinguish yourself through your work, you may be invited to join the Dean's Intern program retroactively.
- Host partners strive to provide Dean's Interns with substantive responsibilities so that they may earn bylines and production credits. Dean's Interns can point to a compelling online portfolio of real-world experience through blogs and feature stories about their work.
- Dean's Interns are periodically invited to participate in School of Communication VIP receptions, Dean's Advisory Board meetings, and other highly-recognized events.
- The prestigious achievement of being named a Dean's Intern burnishes a student's reputation, builds a strong personal network of industry contacts, and demonstrates proven professional experience in today's competitive job market.
How do I apply for a Dean’s Internship, and what is the process for selection?
Each semester, internship positions are posted in the Career Center Handshake website. Employers will make final selections on top candidates that meet the criteria of the host party. After completing the majority of the internship, interns are encouraged to apply separately to the Dean's Internship program. This application can be completed via Qualtrics(https://american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7O0p8ZPfjDf6GCW)and will be reviewed by the Dean's Internship committee. The deadline to apply for Fall 2022 is Friday, November 4th. Selected interns for the program will be notified by November 18th.
How soon will I hear from you after submitting my application?
Once you have submitted your applications online, you should receive an email confirmation from DeLauren Davis, Dean's Intern Coordinator. You may feel free to follow up by email or phone, 202-885-2098, or simply drop by and introduce yourself in McKinley Room 212 to check on the progress of your application.
Who can apply for Dean's Internships?
Dean's Internships are open to undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, and recent alumni (within one year of graduating) with a School of Communication major or minor who have an overall GPA of at least 3.25. If you are not yet a junior, but will be one when the internship starts, or if you are at least a junior according to credit count, you may apply. We occasionally have opportunities for students who have recently graduated to work in full-time Dean's "externships" for the fall or spring following their graduation. You can also apply from abroad if you're away for the semester for the upcoming round.
Are Dean's Internships consistently offered each semester?
Yes. The Dean’s Intern positions offered may change based on the partner’s request or the organization’s needs. We generally offer 12 to 15 opportunities with approximately ten partner institutions, however, the number of available internships may fluctuate from one semester to another.
When will Dean’s Internships be posted each semester?
It depends on when the partnering organizations finalize their Dean’s Intern offerings. Usually, internships are posted mid-way through the term prior to the internship (October to November for spring internships, for example). It’s also possible that a partner will identify a need off-cycle. In that case, we will post that position at the beginning of the semester or whenever the request is finalized.
Will I automatically receive academic credit for a Dean's Internship?
No. As with any internship, you need to register for academic credit if your schedule permits it. Some Dean's Internships require academic credit; others do not. If you are interested in a Dean's Internship, you may discuss your credit options with your academic advisor.
Are Dean’s Internships paid?
We strongly encourage partnering organizations to pay their interns. Most provide hourly, weekly, or monthly stipends to students, and of course, all offer valuable on-the- job training. We ask that Dean’s Intern employers comply with relevant laws and Department of Labor regulations as outlined through AU’s Career Center.