KSU School of VCD

For VCD Intern Employers

List your internship position

For VCD Students

Searching on the Experience Job Board:

1. Students and alumni need to start out at the Career Services website
2. Under the Experience logo, click on “Student/Alumni Login”
3. On the next page, (Experience Job Board login) enter username and password along the top and click “Enter”. Students who don’t already have an account need to click “Create Account” in the box along the left side of the page. It is recommended that students use the same username as Flashline but change the password. If a student doesn’t know their username, they are instructed to contact Career Services Center at (330) 672-2360.
4. On the next page, click “More Search Options”.
5. On the next page, select the following:
   1. searching for a job or an internship
   2. option to search by a specific keyword (not required)
   3. the job function. IMPORTANT: this is how the VCD positions are categorized. There are TWO things that should be selected here: One is “Creative/Design/Multimedia” and the second, is “Graphic Design.” The Experience Job Board uses both categories for VCD positions.
6. Then click “Search”. Note: students can search by city/state, keyword, job function, employer

Intern Experiences

Read personal accounts of VCD student internships in the Special Programs section.

Who must complete an Internship?

Every major in the Visual Communication Design degree program must complete
01 hour of 43091 Internship 1 [Orientation] and
03 semester hours of 43092 Internship 2.

How many hours of Internship 2 do I need?

03 credit hours of 43092 Internship 2 are required but the maximum of 06 credit hours cannot be exceeded. The additional 03 hours above and beyond the 03 hour requirement may be applied toward the VCD Elective requirement or toward the university General Electives requirement.

When are Internships available?

Internships are available throughout the year: Fall & Spring semester, winter break, spring break and during the summer.

How do I go about finding an Internship?

You may use any of the existing approved school Internships or you may arrange for your own. If you arrange your own Internship, it must be approved in advance by the Internship Coordinator. Listings of available Internships are available at Career Services and/or from the Internship Coordinator.

When do I sign up for an Internship?

Any student may sign up for 43092 Internship 2 credit after they have successfully passed 33009 Junior Portfolio Review. It is recommended that students register for 43091 Internship 1 during the semester that they are taking 33009 Junior Portfolio Review and 33203 Graphic Design 2. However, a student may register for 43091 Internship 1 and 43092 Internship 2 simultaneously after successfully completing Junior Portfolio Review and with permission from the Internship Coordinator.

Note: You must sign up for Internship 2 during the semester in which you are completing the Internship experience. Failure to find an Internship during the semester in which you are enrolled will result in a grade of “U” [Unsatisfactory]. You may not sign up for credit a semester in advance or a semester after completing an Internship. You may not sign up for Internship 2 credit until you have an Internship lined up.

Do Internships pay a salary?

Most of the Internships available through the school are paid. Internship pay ranges from minimum wage up to $20.00 per hour. Several of the on-campus Internships prefer students to be on the Work-Study Program. Some Internships do not pay but offer other incentives. For instance, some employers will pay for the tuition for the Internship credits. Other places may allow you to get free parking permits, lap tops and paid professional memberships such as AIGA. Be sure to inquire about what salary an employer is willing to pay and/or what other compensation is available. Keep expenses in mind, such as commuting and parking.

How do I go about getting an Internship?

1. Complete 43091 Internship 1 [Orientation]. See Internship Coordinator for the following: Permission to register for 43092 Internship
2. Register for 43092 Internship 2

See Internship Coordinator for the following or download the pdf: Internship Policy Agreement Form [To be filled out and returned prior to starting the Internship Hold Harmless Agreement Form [To be filled out and returned prior to starting the Internship] Time Sheets are to be kept and returned at the end of the Internship

1. Consult the posted list of Internships available,
2. Write down the ones that interest you
3. If necessary, see Internship Coordinator for more information about each Internship
4. Call or write the places you are interested in for an interview or for more information
5. Prepare your portfolio for the interview if necessary
6. Interview with the potential employer
7. The potential employer will contact either you directly or Internship Coordinator with a decision
8. Be sure to send thank you letters to offices where you have interviewed

How many hours do I need to work for class credit?

For each 01 credit hour of 43092 Internship 2 you must complete 100 work hours. For example:

1 credit hour 6.6 hours per week x 15 weeks = 100 [99] total work hours
2 credit hours 13.3 hours per week x 15 weeks = 200 [199.5] total work hours
3 credit hours 20 hours per week x 15 weeks = 300 total work hours
4 credit hours 26.6 hours per week x 15 weeks = 400 [399] total work hours
5 credit hours 33.3 hours per week x 15 weeks = 500 [499.5] total work hours
6 credit hours 40 hours per week x 15 weeks = 600 total work hours

A list of available Internships is available from Career Services or may be obtained from the Internship Coordinator. You may set up your own Internship as long as the job is involved in an area within the profession such as:

• Graphic Design
• Advertising
• Illustration
• Printing
• Exhibition Design
• Signage
• Audio Visual and/or Multi-Media Presentation Design
• Public Relations
• Computer Graphics
• Environmental Graphic Design
• Web Design
• Production
• Service Bureau

At the end of the semester each student must present to the Internship Coordinator:

1. A letter from the employer verifying the student employment. The letter must include the following information:
   • Your name
   • Dates of employment
   • Total hours worked
   • Description of duties
   • Evaluation of work performed [Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory]
2. A self-evaluation letter from the student. The letter must include the following information:
   • Description of duties
   • Description of areas of involvement
   • Self-evaluation of job performance.
3. The time sheet supplied. Work hours must be verified by the initials of the employer. Time sheets are to be totaled on both a weekly and a running-total basis.

Note: Before beginning 43092 Internship 2, each student must fill out and return to the Internship Coordinator a Hold Harmless Agreement and a Policy Agreement. Each of these forms must be completed and submitted before the Internship may begin for credit. Each form must be witnessed and signed.

What is the purpose of an internship?

The purpose of an Internship is to place a current student into a real world work environment before graduation. An Internship allows the student to work with professionals in a professional environment while still taking classes. Work taken on by the student in a freelance arrangement does not fulfill the requirements for an Internship. Work must be accomplished on the premises of the Internship.

Are all internships paid?

Internships may be salaried or voluntary. Some Internships will provide the student with a salary paid on a weekly or monthly basis. Some Internships will provide the student with remuneration of tuition and fees for the Internship course, 43092 Internship 2. It is up to the student to negotiate the payment or salary before signing up for the credit. The Internship Coordinator will not be involved in salary negotiations.

What jobs will not be considered as internships?

Because the intent of the Internship is to allow the student the opportunity to work with professionals in a professional situation, the following work situations will not be considered Internships:

• Any job in which the student is the sole designer
• Any job in which the student is not under the direct supervision of a professional in the field
• Freelance design

Can I get an internship on campus?

The following jobs on the Kent State University campus are the only situations which will count toward Internship credit:

• Glyphix
• KSU Alumni Association [specifically, working on the KSU Alumni magazine]
• University Publications [specifically, working with the University Graphic Designers]
• The University Press [specifically, working with the designer]
• Teleproduction Services

Note: all other jobs on the KSU campus will not count towards Internship credits or requirements.

In addition to Internships on the Kent State campus, other Internships are available locally in Kent, Ravenna, Akron, Cleveland, other Ohio cities and out of state. A list of currently available Internships is available at Career Services. For a complete listing of all regular employers seeking VCD interns, please visit the see the Internship Coordinator or follow the link below to the Internship database. (Password from Coordinator required.) Job internship search: VCD database

Which is better?

One Internship for 06 credit hours? or two Internships for 3 credit hours each? [Or any other combination] The School of VCD recommends experiencing two different Internships. Since the purpose of an Internship is to gain professional experience while still a student, the more varied the experiences, the better. Please note that there are very few Internships available which are strictly illustration-oriented. It is therefore recommended that illustration majors investigate Internships at magazines, newspapers or any other areas which utilizes illustration.

Are Internships graded?

No. Internships receive either an “S” [Satisfactory] or “U” [Unsatisfactory] grade. No other letter grades apply. Your employer will not be asked to grade your performance. Keep in mind that a “U” computes as an “F” in your grade point average.

What happens at the end of my internship?

At the end of the semester each student must present to the Internship Coordinator:

• A letter from the employer on company letterhead verifying the students employment. (See PDF) The letter must include the following information:
  • Student’s name
  • Dates of employment
  • Total hours worked
  • Description of duties
  • Evaluation of work performed [Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory]
• A self-evaluation letter from the student. The letter must include the following information:
  • Description of duties
  • Description of areas of involvement
  • Self-evaluation of job performance. [strengths, weaknesses]
  • Value of internship. Would you recommend this internship to a fellow student?
  • The time sheet supplied. This is optional. Work hours must be verified by the initials of the employer. Time sheets are to be totaled on both a weekly and a running-total basis.

Note: Before beginning 40192 Internship 2, each student must must fill out and return to the Internship Coordinator a Hold Harmless Agreement and a Policy Agreement. Each of these forms must be completed and submitted before the Internship may begin for credit. Each form must be witnessed and signed.

What are employer responsibilities at the end of the internship?

To the Employer:
Thank you for agreeing to participate in the Visual Communication Design Internship Program At the end of the Internship we ask that each employer evaluate the performance of the student intern. Although students enroll for credit for the internship experience we ask only that you to give a “pass/fail” evaluation of their performance rather than a letter grade [please note that an “Unsatisfactory” evaluation will be recorded and computed as an “F” grade on the student’s permanent record.] Your evaluation [on company letterhead] needs to state:

• Student’s name
• Dates of employment
• Total hours worked
• Brief description of job duties
• Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory performance

Any additional comments you wish to make regarding the student would be appreciated. Such comments might include:

• Work habits
• Attitude and enthusiasm
• General conduct and appearance
• Attendance
• Knowledge and preparedness
• Willingness to learn
• Strengths and weaknesses

We appreciate your participation in helping to make the VCD Internship Program a success and, hopefully, a rewarding experience for all.