The Writing Internship Course (English 4986)
The Writing Internship course enables English Literature majors and minors and Writing-Intensive majors and minors to earn three hours of academic credit (“S” or “U”) for internships that have a significant writing component. Such internships may be paid or unpaid. Each student is limited to one 3-credit Writing Internship.
Internship Course FAQs
Checklist of student responsibilities (How can I set up an ENGL 4986 internship?)
Students interested in setting up an internship should consult the following Checklist, which outlines the process step-by-step.
What are the benefits of an internship?
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Interns gain valuable work experience, networking contacts, job references, and insight into a particular profession.
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Companies and non-profit organizations employing college interns gain their service, a glimpse into the skills of future members of the workforce, and sometimes a future employee.
What are the requirements for ENGL 4986 credit?
To achieve 3 hours of S/U credit for English 4986, student interns must:
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Fill out an Internship Contract and a Waiver Form and email the completed forms to Wendy Walsh at wendy.walsh@marquette.edu and ask her to send you a permission number.
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Register for English 4986.
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Work 8-10 hours per week for 15 weeks (120-150 hours in the summer).
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Work on writing activities, broadly defined as researching, brainstorming, interviewing, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading, etc.
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In Week #1, check in with your faculty sponsor.
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Maintain weekly internship journal entries of approximately 1/2 page (single-spaced) per week.
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At midterm, submit sample writings to the faculty sponsor.
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At semester’s end, submit to the faculty sponsor a folder containing:
(1) a portfolio of all notes, drafts, and final written projects;
(2) a log of days/hours spent working on internship projects;
(3) a journal (approximately 1/2 page single-spaced per week), reflecting on what the internship has taught you about writing (e.g., addressing audience issues, meeting deadlines, achieving a company ethos, etc.)
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At semester's end, remind the on-site supervisor to mail or fax the Internship Evaluation Form to the faculty sponsor.
How to find an internship?
What kinds of internships do Marquette English majors pursue?
- Advertising/Marketing: Boelter & Lincoln; Curro, Rankin & Williams; Hoffman York & Compton; Morgan & Myers, Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
- Arts and Entertainment: Apatow Productions, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Comedy Sportz, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Milwaukee Film, Milwaukee Public Museum, The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, United Performing Arts Fund
- Business writing: Focus Training, Inc.; G. Strategies, LLC; Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance; Robert W. Baird, Wisconsin Trade Center; Westown Association
- Healthcare: The Academy of Healthcare Revenue, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
- Journalism: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Magazine, NTVB Cusom Media, On Milwaukee Magazine, Shepherd Express, WISN 12, WDJT/CBS 58 News
- Law: Chudnow Law Offices, Milwaukee County Courthouse, Milwaukee Justice Center, Terschan & Steinle Ltd., Willms Anderson, S.C.
- Non-Profit: Alzheimer's Association of Southeastern Wisconsin, American Cancer Society, Artists Working in Education, Easter Seals, Elmbrook Church, IndependenceFirst, Keep Milwaukee Beautiful, Dr. James Cameron Legacy Foundation, La Casa de Esperanza, Starlight Children's Foundation, Impact Inc., St. Joan Antida High School, WI LGBT Chamber of Commerce
- On-Campus: Engineering Department (CubeSat), Marquette English Department's Newsletter, Ӱ Center for Peacemaking, Marquette Intercollegiate Athletic Department, Marquette Literary Review, Marquette Office of International Education, Marquette Office of Marketing and Communication, Ott Memorial Writing Center
- Politics/Government: City Hall 12th Aldermanic District, Progressive Congress, U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (IL)
- Publishing: Kalmbach Publishing, Lerner Publishing Group, Orange Hat Publishing, Prime Publishing LLC
- Technical Writing: Johnson Controls
Information for Employers and Faculty Sponsors
Checklist of On-site Supervisor Responsibilities
- Negotiate terms of the internship with the student.
- Sign the contract form.
- Give the intern the agreed-upon writing-related assignments (legwork, research, interviews, proofreading, briefing, attendance at meetings or seminars, phone work – all may be included in the 8-10 hours per week if they pertain to the writing assignment).
- Submit the completed evaluation form to the faculty sponsor by Week 15 for the semester in which the credit is being awarded.
[Note: If at any time you have questions about the student’s performance, feel free to call or email the faculty sponsor.]
Checklist of Faculty Sponsor Responsibilities
- Meet with student and brainstorm possible internship placements.
- Advertising: e.g., Hoffman York & Compton
- Business writing: e.g., Charles Baird, Wisconsin Trade Center
- Journalism: e.g., any newspaper/ magazine/radio station
- Non-profit writing: e.g., Keep Milwaukee Beautiful, Easter Seals Publishing: e.g., textbooks, children’s books, catalogs
- Technical writing: e.g., Johnson Controls
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Sign the completed contract form.
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Advise the intern to submit completed forms to the English office for processing.
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Check with the intern in his/her first week to make sure the internship is beginning smoothly.
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At midterm, evaluate sample writings.
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At semester’s end, evaluate final folder.
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Assign a grade of “S” or “U” based on the professional supervisor’s evaluation formand on your own evaluation of the intern’s work.
[Note: You are the intern’s advocate. It is strongly suggested that you speak with the on-site supervisor at least twice during the semester to determine how the internship is progressing.]
Internship Evaluation Form
Additional Information
For more information, see Career Center' internship and job search resources.