News Department Internship
WIDR – 89.1 Radio
Western Michigan University
1501 Faunce Student Services Building

Internship objective: To provide journalism, broadcast cable production, communication studies, or media studies students with hands on experience in writing, researching, reporting, and broadcasting the news.

Internship availability: Fall, Spring, Su I & Su II, annually

Number of internships available: up to 10 each semester

Start date: The first week of the academic semester of the internship

End date: The Friday prior to finals of the academic semester of the internship

Hours per week: 10-15 hours per week/ depending upon the number of weeks scheduled to intern. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.

Academic qualifications***:
Declared major in Journalism, Media Studies, Communication Studies or Broadcast Cable Production
Enrolled at least part-time at Western Michigan University
Must meet the requirements for the School of Communication's Internship Program
***Students who have not been accepted into their major may be able to apply for a not for credit internship with the radio station.

Additional qualifications:
Must have an interest in broadcast

Description of intern responsibilities: Interns will research, write and broadcast news stories. Interns will have opportunity to anchor hourly newscasts as well as report on assignments and beats. Interns will represent WIDR on campus when they cover news stories. Interns will interact with all departments in the radio station and learn the daily operations of a radio station. Interns will attend staff meetings and production meetings.

Location: 1501 Faunce Student Services, Western Michigan University

Credit: College credit toward communication major or general electives. One hour of college credit is earned for 40 hours of work at WIDR up to 6 credits.

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship. However, students who qualify for college work-study may be able to obtain a paid internship. Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at 387-6000 for additional information.

Intern sponsor: News Director, General Manager and Faculty Advisor for WIDR-89.1.

Application process: Interested students should return a completed WIDR-89.1 employment application and a current resume to WIDR-89.1, 1501 Faunce Student Services Building, and Attention: General Manager

Application deadlines: School of Communication Internships must be returned to the Internship Coordinator by the first day of classes of each semester, in order to ensure timely registration.

For more information contact: General Manager, WIDR-89.1 at 269) 387-6396 or email at
widr-gm@groupwise.wmich.edu

Evaluation: The evaluation and grade will be completed by Internship Coordinator Marilyn Kritzman and will be based upon the following:
The student’s journal/log/observation of all intern activities
The student’s copy of all work produced
Final paper
The internship sponsor mid-internship evaluation
The internship sponsor final evaluation

Method of evaluation:
Student’s journal/log: 20%
Student’s work: 20 %
Paper: 20%
Internship sponsor mid-internship evaluation: 20%
Internship sponsor final evaluation: 20%

Calendar:
E-mail updates to faculty sponsor every month.
Additional communication via email, phone or in person as needed
All materials are to be submitted to Marilyn Kritzman on the Wednesday prior to final weeks of the semester/session registered.
Internship sponsor evaluation due half way through the internship
Internship sponsor final evaluation due the Wednesday of finals week with the rest of the material. It may be submitted with the student’s materials in a sealed envelope, or the sponsor may submit it separately by the due date.


Student’s signature


Intern sponsor's (at internship site) signature


Coordinator of Undergraduate Internship’s (Marilyn S. Kritzman) signature