Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Attitudes and Practices of Mass Communication Programs Regarding Unpaid Student Internships

Abstract

This survey of mass communication programs’ attitudes and practices found unpaid student internships are more likely at unaccredited programs and where the highest degree offered is a bachelor’s. Advisers at bachelor’s programs also are more likely to agree academic credit appropriately substitutes for monetary payment. Although most advisers support unpaid internships, they agree universities are ethically obligated to protect students from illegal ones. The study recommends steps for journalism and mass communication (JOMC) educators to engage in informed discussions and decision-making to arrive at ethically justifiable policies and practices governing internships where their students work for free, especially for academic credit at for-profit companies.

Internship Practices in Journalism and Mass Communication Programs: A Review of ACEJMC-Accredited Programs

“…A well-designed internship program can provide students with a realistic interdisciplinary experience and important networking experiences, while at the same time providing the department with valuable feedback about the quality of its classes (Bugeja & Garrett, 2019; Ciofalo, 1989). However, programs have an ethical duty to make sure internship providers—particularly for-profit companies—that offer unpaid internships are not only complying with the relevant labor laws but also providing meaningful educational experiences with defined learning outcomes (Senat et al, 2020). While there is a sense that academic units are beholden to the organizations that provide internships, in fact, many programs underestimate their leverage to negotiate (Abelman, 1986).…”

“…Educational programs often feel beholden to the internship providers, believing that the benefits of helping students gain professional experience outweigh these burdens (Senat et al, 2020) and, therefore, have a vested interest in positively portraying the internship system. These arrangements are not merely allowed by academic programs; they are actively promoted through program materials and, in some cases, required outright.…”

Δημοσιογραφική Εκπαίδευση Και Βιώσιμη Ανάπτυξη

“…Οι σπουδές δημοσιογραφίας χαρακτηρίζονταν ανέκαθεν από έναν διχασμό: από τη μία πλευρά, ήταν η ακαδημία, η οποία υποστηρίζει ότι οι σπουδές δημοσιογραφίας θα πρέπει να εστιάζουν πρωτίστως στη μελέτη του ρόλου, της ιστορίας, της ηθικής, των ορθών πρακτικών και του αντίκτυπου που έχει το επάγγελμα στην κοινωνία και δευτερευόντως στην πρακτική (Jarvis, 2012). Ο Carey (2002) αγοράς και να ενισχύσουν την απήχηση των προγραμμάτων τους (Mensing, 2010;Senat et al, 2019).…”