Career and Professional Development FAQ

The Cronkite Career and Professional Development office offers all Cronkite students comprehensive career planning, preparation and internship services including resume and portfolio review, LinkedIn optimization strategies, resume writing tools, media career exploration and media-related opportunities. Here are answers to some students’ frequently asked questions; if you’re an employer looking to hire Cronkite students or host an internship, visit our resources here.

General information

How do I contact Cronkite Career and Professional Development?
Call 602-496-5055 or email cronkitecareers@asu.edu for information.

Where is Cronkite Career and Professional Development located?
We are located on the fourth floor of the Cronkite School in Suite 416.

How can I get help with my resume, LinkedIn and/or my portfolio?
Cronkite students can schedule an appointment to meet with the Career and Professional Development staff. We offer virtual and in-person appointments.

Internships

Is an internship required?
An internship is required for all undergraduate immersion students majoring in journalism and mass communication or sports journalism. Graduate and online degrees do not require an internship.

What are Internship Interview Days?
Most students find internships through the designated internship interview days which are held every semester with broadcast, public relations and print/digital employers. These are scheduled 15-minute interviews with local media and PR organizations. If you secure an internship through the interview day, you are required to register for course credit. Important application deadlines and dates of the events are listed on the calendar. Learn more about Internship Interview Day.

Can I pursue an internship outside of Interview Days?
If you find an internship that you’d like to pursue that is outside of the interview day, please send the following information to cronkitecareers@asu.edu: The company name, your duties and responsibilities, your supervisor’s name and title and the number of hours you will work each week. Students must be under the supervision of an experienced media professional. Current Cronkite School students may not serve as internship supervisors.

Can I work an out-of-state internship?
Yes. However, our team must review the opportunity to determine whether it meets school internship credit requirements. Please send the following information to cronkitecareers@asu.edu: The company name, your duties and responsibilities, your supervisor’s name and title and the number of hours you will work each week. Students must be under the supervision of an experienced media professional. Current Cronkite School students may not serve as internship supervisors.

Do out-of-state internships offer housing?
No, companies do not offer housing. If you work an out-of-state internship, you are responsible for arranging and paying for housing.

May I work an internship at my family business or have a relative as my supervisor?
The Cronkite School will not approve an internship in which the student works for a family business or when a relative supervises the intern. In addition, the internship supervisor may not be a direct/indirect line report to the student’s relative.

If I secure an internship on my own, how do I get credit for it?

First, before you start your internship you must email cronkitecareers@asu.edu to notify our staff that you have secured an internship and would like to earn credit for it. Second, our team will follow up with you to discuss the next steps in the process.

Does it cost anything to receive summer internship credit?
Yes. Like any other summer class, you will need to pay summer school tuition for any internship credit (MCO 584, MCO484, JMC 484 or MCO 294).

How many hours do I have to work to get internship credit?
Fall semester: MCO 584 (215 hours), MCO 484 (215), JMC 484 (215 hours), MCO 294 (120 hours)
Spring semester: MCO 584 (215 hours), MCO 484 (215), JMC 484 (215 hours), MCO 294 (120 hours)
Summer semester: MCO 584 (215 hours), MCO 484 (215), JMC 484 (215 hours), MCO 294 (120 hours)

These are the minimum internship hours required for Cronkite course credit. However, the student and employer may agree to more hours.

Are internships paid?
About 80 percent of Cronkite internships are paid. The Cronkite Career and Professional Development team strongly urges all employers to pay students for their time and to attract top talent.

How long are internships?
Internships run for an entire semester. However, some students may choose to continue working with their employer for an extended period.

Job placement and recruiter visits

What percentage of Cronkite graduates get jobs?
From 2010-2018, 82% of the 3,200 immersion graduates are working full-time jobs, with 62% of them working in media or communications positions.

What are the best job boards for media careers?
Journalismjobs.com, MEO Jobs, mediabistro.com, Co-SIDA, PRSA, Mashable, SPJ, Poynter Institute, IABC, RTDNA. You are encouraged to look at specific group sites as well. The best way to find a job is by using your professional network.

What companies visit the school?

Recruiters include: CNN, Cox Media Group, Gray Television, Hearst, McClatchy, Morgan Murphy Media, NBC, News-Press & Gazette, Nexstar, POLITICO, Report for America, Scripps, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Spectrum Media, Tegna, and WINK News, to name a few.

Recruiters typically schedule visits during the fall and spring semesters to interview recent or soon-to-be graduates. As you near graduation, keep an eye out for these opportunities on our recruiter visits page. These events are not only a way to land a job, they are also a great way to network.

Mentoring

What opportunities do you have for mentoring?
The Cronkite School offers a professional mentorship programs.

Professional Mentorship Program
This program pairs incoming first-year and transfer students with a media or communications professional. Through this mentoring experience, you will have opportunities to meet and network with a media professional, get an inside look at the industry and engage with some of the most talented people in the business.

Become A Professional Mentor / Become A Mentee

What is the professional mentor program and how long is it?
This program pairs new-to-Cronkite School students (including first-year, transfer and change-of-major students) with a media or communications professional. Our mentors work all across the country. Mentors offer guidance, advice and exposure to their industry. The professional mentor program lasts for the duration of the student’s first year, though we encourage the connection to continue as the student progresses through their time at the Cronkite School. Become A Professional Mentor

What are the professional mentor program requirements?
Mentors and mentees are expected to have at least one touch point per month. Meetings can be held in-person or virtually.

How do I become a professional mentor?
Simply sign up here to Become A Professional Mentor.

How can I be mentored by a media professional?
All new-to Cronkite School undergraduate students, including first-year, transfer and change-of-major students may sign up. Graduate students need not apply; professional mentors are assigned throughout the program later in the fall semester. We do not have a mentor program for our online students at this time. Apply for a Professional Mentor.