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Internships

Put your communication knowledge and skills to work in a hands-on environment. You’ll be better prepared for the job market and add to your résumé.

COM 496: Internship Course

Want to earn credit toward your degree and gain real-world experience? Rising seniors can get involved with local non-profits, government agencies and educational institutions via the COM 496 course. 

While students are responsible for securing their own internships, Mike Charbonneau, the department’s undergraduate internship coordinator, will provide guidance and offer work experience suggestions based on your interests.

Course Information

COM 496 is a three credit-hour course and requires a minimum commitment of 120 hours at the internship site per semester (approximately 10 hours per week; 15 hours per week in the 10-week summer session). The course also includes weekly attendance in classroom meetings. COM 496 is required if you’ve chosen the public relations concentration.

You will be evaluated in consultation with your internship site supervisor and a student-prepared internship portfolio. COM 496 is graded as “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory.”

Course Requirements

Because an internship offers a unique opportunity for exceptional students, certain criteria must be met in order to be eligible for the program:

  • You must be a senior in communication (having completed a minimum of 90 hours) in the semester in which you are enrolled in COM 496 (preference will be given to seniors graduating at the end of said semester).
  • Completion of a minimum of four (4) communication courses at the 300- or 400-level. Note: for students in the public relations concentration, ENG 316 can count as one of these four courses.
  • Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the major OR across the four courses at the 300- or 400-level. If you are in the public relations concentration but do not qualify for COM 496, you cannot graduate in that concentration.

Note: If you have an internship opportunity outside the Raleigh area, or are ineligible for COM 496, you may be able to earn one credit-hour by enrolling in COM 296, Communication Internship: Non-Local.

Internship Partners

The Department of Communication has partnered with a broad range of communication-related companies, organizations and agencies to facilitate internships as part of our COM 496 internship course. While these have provided real-world environments to help ready our students for the workplace, they have, in turn, benefited from our students’ burgeoning skills and knowledge.

Capital Financial
Cary Chamber of Commerce
Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
SAS Institute
Sageworks Financial Consultants

Artsplosure
Carolina Ballet, Inc.
Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau
Marbles Kids Museum
​North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina Museum of Art

NC State University
     Alumni Association
     Athletics Media Relations
     Human Resources
     Legal Services
     Multicultural Student Affairs
     N.C. Sea Grant (University of UNC System; based at NC State University)
     Wolfpack Club
Wake County
     Wake Education Partnership
     Wake County Schools

N.C. Sea Grant (University of UNC System; based at NC State University)
North Carolina Wildlife Federation
Triangle Conservancy

Showtime Events
Legacy Event Planners

Deep South Entertainment
Live Nation
PNC Arena

Red Truck Films
Trailblazer Studio

Federal
     Social Security Administration
State of North Carolina
     State Treasurer’s Office
     Department of Transportation
     Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
     Department of Environment and Natural Resources
City of Raleigh
     Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources
Wake County
     Public Affairs
     Human Services

Duke-Raleigh Hospital
WakeMed Hospital

American Cancer Society
Boys and Girls Clubs of Raleigh
Boy Scouts of America
Easter Seals
Interfaith Food Shuttle
Jimmy V Foundation
Make-A-Wish
Meals-on-Wheels
North Carolina Autism Society
North Carolina Food Bank
North Carolina Special Olympics
YMCA of Raleigh

Campaign Connections (Public Relations firm)
North Carolina Democratic Party
North Carolina Republican Party
North Carolina General Assembly     

919 Marketing
​Articulon
Blast PR
Campaign Connections
Capstrat
FleishmanHilliard
French | West | Vaughn
Gibbs & Soell (G&S) Business Communications
Howard / Merrell
Intrepid Marketing Group
Largemouth PR
S&A Communications
Trone Brand Energy

ACC Sports Journal
Algonquin Books
Carolina Chronicles
Cherokee Media Group
Enterprising Woman
Metro Magazine

Curtis Media Group
Clear Channel Radio
Radio One
WCDG-FM
WUNC-FM

Marketing
    PMG Sports
    NC State University Communications (Media)
    NC State University Wolfpack Club
Professional
   Carolina Hurricanes
   Carolina Mudcats
   Durham Bulls

News 14 Carolina (Time-Warner Cable)
WRAL -TV (NBC)
WTVD -TV (ABC)​
WUNC-TV (PBS)
WUVC-TV (Univision)

Questions?

If you’re interested in enrolling or learning more about COM 496, contact Mike Charbonneau.