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Sponsored Internships

For Partnering Outlets

Sponsored Internships

Creating High-Quality Internship Experiences

Thank you for partnering with the Park Center for Independent Media (PCIM) at Ithaca College. Each summer (and at times during the academic school year), PCIM awards stipends of up to $3,200 to 8–12 students to support internships with outstanding independent media organizations and advocacy nonprofits. Your mentorship plays a critical role in helping students translate classroom learning into meaningful professional experience. 

What Makes a High-Quality Internship? 

A successful internship provides students with opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow professionally. We ask employer partners to ensure internships: 

  • Include meaningful, substantive work that supports your organization’s mission (with no more than 25% clerical or administrative tasks). 
  • Provide clearly defined responsibilities, projects, and learning objectives. 
  • Introduce interns to your organization’s culture, staff, and mission through a thoughtful orientation. 
  • Offer opportunities to develop professional skills, expand knowledge, and build confidence. 
  • Include regular supervision, mentoring, and constructive feedback throughout the internship. 

A dedicated supervisor is essential to a successful internship. Supervisors should: 

  • Establish clear expectations, goals, and learning outcomes at the beginning of the internship. 
  • Meet regularly with interns to discuss progress, answer questions, and provide timely feedback. 
  • Assign meaningful work that allows interns to build relevant skills and make valuable contributions. 
  • Provide the training, resources, and equipment necessary for interns to succeed. 
  • Include interns in meetings, collaborative projects, and appropriate networking opportunities. 
  • Complete a final evaluation that recognizes accomplishments and identifies areas for continued growth. 

Internships are educational experiences as well as professional ones. We encourage supervisors to: 

  • Help students develop and revisit learning goals throughout the internship. 
  • Encourage reflection, curiosity, and professional development. 
  • Offer stretch assignments or exposure to different aspects of your organization when appropriate. 
  • Celebrate interns’ contributions and provide recommendations or career guidance when warranted. 

PCIM expects all internship sites to provide a professional, ethical, and respectful work environment. 

Employer partners should: 

  • Maintain a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. 
  • Ensure interns know whom to contact if concerns arise. 
  • Protect interns’ privacy and personal information. 
  • Discuss workplace safety procedures and emergency protocols during orientation. 
  • Encourage interns to report concerns immediately to both their workplace supervisor and PCIM. 

A safe, inclusive, and supportive environment is fundamental to a successful internship experience. 

Thank You! 

By investing your time, expertise, and mentorship, you help prepare the next generation of journalists, communicators, advocates, and media professionals. We sincerely appreciate your partnership and your commitment to providing an exceptional learning experience for Ithaca College students. 

Mickey Huff, Distinguished Director 
Marcy Sutherland, Associate Director

Park Center for Independent Media 
Roy H. Park School of Communications 
Ithaca College