Journalism Internship Information

Frequently Asked Questions on Journalism Internship (JOUR3801 and JOUR7802)

WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP? 
It is an industry placement designed to give you the opportunity to obtain professional experience in a journalism focused organisation, or in a setting that gives you insights into how the media organisation operates.
It is also designed to give you the chance to reflect analytically on that experience. For UQ purposes, an internship involves working eight-hours a day for a minimum of ten days. Placements can be for longer, but a minimum of ten days of placement will be assessed.
 
 
WHO CAN DO AN INTERNSHIP?
Undergraduates: Current final-year Bachelor of Journalism students (and duals) who have gained the permission of the JOUR3801 course coordinator.  All internship students must have completed the following courses and achieved an average GPA of at least 5.0 in the below courses: 

Commenced Study in 2007 or 2008
Commenced Study in 2009 or 2010
COMU1311 Identity, Culture and Communication 
COMU2311 Communication for Social Change
JOUR2211 or COMU2233 News & Mass Communication Theory or Mass Media and Society
JOUR1111 Introduction to Journalism and Communication 
JOUR1112 Reporting 
JOUR1710 or JOUR2710 Journalistic Investigation
JOUR2221 International Journalism & Mass Communication
JOUR2711 Editing & Scripting 
JOUR2811 Journalism in Text 
JOUR2822 Journalism in Sound 
JOUR2833 Visual Journalism 
COMU1311 Identity, Culture and Communication 
COMU1999 Introduction to Visual Communication 
COMU2233 Mass Media and Society 
JOUR1111 Introduction to Journalism and Communication 
JOUR1112 Reporting 
JOUR1710 Journalistic Investigation 
JOUR2711 Editing & Scripting 
JOUR2722 Convergence in the Media 
JOUR2811 Journalism in Text 
JOUR2822 Journalism in Sound 
JOUR2833 Visual Journalism 

 
Postgraduates: Graduate Diploma and Master of Journalism students who have gained the permission of the JOUR7802 course coordinator.
All internship students must have completed the prerequisites: JOUR7511, JOUR7201, JOUR7500 and achieved an average overall GPA of at least 5.0.
 

HOW IS AN INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT ORGANISED? 
The coordinator can arrange placements and in some instances the employers mandate this. We have special arrangements with many organisations which must be processed through the coordinator. They include Channel 9, 7, 10 and the ABC in Brisbane, as well The Courier Mail and Brisbane Times. Journalism internship students are encouraged to seek their own internships. If you do so, then the internship must meet the coordinator’s approval which must be given before the placement begins. You are required to keep the course coordinator informed of the progress of the negotiations for the placement. You cannot begin any placement without insurance UQ insurance cover. (See section on insurance cover)
 
  
WHO DO I SPEAK TO?

Course coordinator
Anthony Frangi
(Both JOUR3801 and JOUR7802)
Course administrator
Ali Nugent
(surnames A – L)
Course administrator
Carla Cravaliat
(surnames M – Z)

 
 
How do I begin the process?
INTERNSHIP INFORMATION FORM AND SELF-EVALUATION: 
The internship courses are ‘permission listed’ and the first step in the enrolment process is to submit the following application documents to the course administrator. The course administrator will assess the material and respond to your application:
1.       Internship Application Form, http://www.uq.edu.au/sjc/docs/studentadmin/Internship_Application.pdf
2.       250 word self-assessment – refer to course profile.
 
 
DO I STILL NEED TO ENROL VIA MY-SI-NET?
Yes. Once you are added to the permission list for JOUR3801 or JOUR7802 you will receive an email from the School confirming this and advising you to enrol as per the usual procedure.
 

WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE?
Students are eligible for insurance through UQ while they are enrolled in the Bachelor of Journalism (or dual) or Graduate Diploma or Master of Journalism internship course. The course administrators will send an insurance letter direct to the organisation which will cover you for public liability and personal accident insurance. Many organisations will not accept internship students without any insurance documentation.
Insurance for placements are capped at 30 days per calendar year, and students must demonstrate that the proposed placement is directly relevant to their communication/journalism course.
 

IS THERE A COURSE PROFILE FOR THE INTERNSHIP COURSE?
Yes. The profile is available through Blackboard and at www.uq.edu.au/study
 

WHAT ABOUT MY OTHER STUDY COMMITMENTS?
Depending on the semester in which you enrol, the other week/s can be taken out of class time e.g. before semester starts, during mid-semester and mid-year breaks, or during the end of year break. You must attend all classes in which you are enrolled during the period of your internship. You will not be permitted extensions on assessment tasks is simply because you are undertaking an internship. You must advise the organisation with which you are interning of your class attendance responsibilities at the commencement of your internship

The responsibility for managing your studies lies with you.  In the event of interns missing classes, staff do NOT provide catch-up advice, let alone special counseling.  You cannot use the placement to vary the requirements of other courses. 
Interns are advised to carefully plan placement arrangements so as not to impact on study responsibilities and obligations to fellow students. 
 
  
WHAT ABOUT ASSESSMENT?
 

JOUR3801
250 word self-assessment (part of enrolment process)
Job Application Letter
Reflective Essay
Portfolio of Work
JOUR7802
250 word self-assessment (part of enrolment process)
Job Application Letter
Activity Log
Reflective Essay

 
This is a Pass/Fail course. For more details, refer to course profile
 
 
WHAT ABOUT THE TIMING OF PLACEMENTS?
Placements are done in a block of one or two weeks (and rarely one day a week, or two days a week). You should contact your placement organisations about a week before commencing the placement. You can contact the course coordinator during the placement.
 

WHAT ARE THE PLACEMENT PROTOCOLS?
Whilst on a placement, professionalism, politeness, workplace engagement and punctuality are vital to establishing a good impression. Dress ready to go anywhere: court, funeral, Parliament); participate with interest and enthusiasm; perform to your best standard; seek publication (or broadcast).
 

WHERE ARE INTERNS PLACED?
Interns can be placed in workplaces internationally, interstate and within Queensland. A Travel Form must be completed and approved along with a Risk Assessment if the placement is being conducted more than 50 km away from the University.
Students interested in international placements must demonstrate they can function in the local environment and culture. International students are encouraged to seek placements in their own countries. Interns must meet their own expenses. Students are encouraged to arrange their own placements, especially in international, interstate and regional based media outlets, but must seek approval from the course coordinator before confirming arrangements.
 
 
UQ ADVANTAGE GRANT
The University of Queensland Advantage Grant is an initiative which seeks to promote student mobility and to enhance student participation and involvement in curricular and related activities. The Grant offers financial support to students of the University of Queensland to subsidise activities which will enhance their degree program and their experience at UQ.
More information in documents below and at http://www.uq.edu.au/undergraduate/leadership-opportunities
UQ Advantage Grant Guidelines
UQ Advantage Grant Application Form
 
 
Printable version can be downloaded here


 
 
 
 
 

 

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