ADVRT / JLMC / PR / SMC 4990A is a three-credit, 300-hour internship in advertising, journalism and mass communication, public relations, or or sports media and communication required for all majors in the Greenlee School. It differs from other courses because learning takes place in a professional media environment instead of the traditional classroom. 4990A allows you to gain professional media experience while being mentored and evaluated by both media professionals and your faculty mentor. It is available only to Greenlee majors and offered on a satisfactory-fail basis.
To help you with your internship journey, Greenlee offers a dedicated internship coordinator, Juli Probasco-Sowers, to assist you with your search. You may contact her by calling 515-294-4342 or emailing greenlee-internships@iastate.edu.
Prerequisites for 4990A
To enroll in 4990A, you must have fulfilled the following requirements:
- Passed JLMC 1100 and successfully completed JLMC 2010 with a C+ or better
- Classified as a junior or senior
- ADVRT majors: successfully completed ADVRT 3010 with a C+ or better
- JLMC majors: successfully completed JLMC 3020 or JLMC 3030 with a C+ or better
- PR majors: passed PR 3010 and successfully completed PR 3210 with a C+ or better
- SMC majors: Successfully completed JLMC 1100 in addition to one major-specific course and SMC 3040 with a grade of C+ or better
4990A Canvas page
During your first semester as a Greenlee student, you will receive an invitation to join the 4990A Canvas page. Here, you will:
- Find helpful resources for finding an internship
- Document your progress toward securing an approved internship
- Submit your assignments during your internship
- Receive your final grade from your faculty mentor at the completion of your internship
You will have access to the 4990A Canvas page before you start to seek an internship and before you are officially registered for the 4990A class. Visit the page early and often to help you prepare for your internship.
4990A syllabus
The 4990A Internship Syllabus Packet is essential reading as you prepare for your 4990A internship. If you have any questions about the process, we recommend you first consult the syllabus packet. In it, you will find additional information about 4990A, including:
- Syllabus (faculty mentor, course description, learning objectives, grades, disability accommodations, academic misconduct)
- Pre-4990A checklist
- Internship supervisor discussion checklist
- 4990A professional media internship checklist
- How to find a 4990A internship
- How to get internship approval and enroll in 4990A (step-by-step instructions)
- Financial aid and scholarships
- Assignments (mid and final evaluations, the portfolio and final paper, exit interview)
Download the 4990A Internship Syllabus Packet
Allowable 4990A internships
Internships must meet the following criteria to be considered for your 4990A:
- A minimum of 300 hours of work
- Duties related to advertising, journalism and mass communication, public relations or sports media and communication
- A professional supervisor who:
- Has an education and/or significant professional experience in journalism and communication, advertising, public relations, sports media and communication or a closely related field
- Works on site with you and is an employee of the organization where you are interning
- Is not related to you
- A professional workplace. (You cannot work for a student organization or be supervised by a fellow student or a relative). In-office or mostly in-office internships are the most likely to be approved. However, substantive remote internships may be acceptable.
- Necessary resources and equipment for you to complete the internship (workspace, equipment, software, etc.). You cannot check out Greenlee School equipment for your 4990A.
- An opportunity for you to build a professional portfolio
Note: You cannot use your ADVRT/JLMC/PR/SMC 4990A internship to obtain academic credit from any other department at Iowa State University.
Preparing for your internship
Preparing for your internship should begin the moment you step on campus. The Greenlee School provides a number of internship resources to help, but you are responsible for finding your 4990A internship. Here are some steps you can take now to help you land your internship:
- Use your four-year plan to make sure you are on track to complete 4990A prerequisites.
- Collect work samples from courses, student media, clubs and organizations. Search for work opportunities that could contribute to your portfolio.
- Attend workshops, Greenlee School events, internship fairs and career fairs to network with alumni and professionals as you prepare for your internship.
- Begin research on 4990A internship interests including:
- What type of professional experience do you want to have?
- When do you want to complete your internship?
- Where do you want to work? Think of specifics (location of internship, living arrangements and cost), and look for contacts within organizations. Keep track of companies you’re interested in, including contact information and a list of required application materials and deadlines for each organization.
- Meet with your faculty mentor to discuss 4990A opportunities
Questions?
Email the Greenlee School via greenlee-internships@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4342.