Explore the Opportunities

Before jumping full-force into an internship search, it is important to do your research. Conducting research will impact the direction of your search by helping you identify fields and careers more clearly. Also, doing careful research will help you market yourself more strategically and allow you to have a more focused conversation about your interests with potential employers. 

Start by checking out careers in communications. In the field of communications, the styles of work vary greatly.  For instance, many careers in the entertainment industry (film and television) are "gig to gig" -- that is, people don't have full-time jobs but rather get contracts to work on a specific project or show -- and when it's over the entire crew disbands.  Just think of film directors-- they don't have a steady job - rather they work on a series of films, sometimes with gaps of time in between projects.  Many occupations in media are anything but 9-5.  Think of journalists who need to cover breaking news, or event planners and managers who often need to be setting up and working on events such as meetings or concerts that have long hours, often including nights and weekends.  On the other hand, careers in strategic communications, advertising, and public relations can be much more similar to those in business.  While you might think they don't have the glamour of the entertainment or news industries, there are more stable jobs with specific career pathways and predictable schedules.

Also consider your ideal work environment.  Many job sites in media are not in an office, but rather in a studio, in the field, or at client sites.  Some jobs require similar tasks every day, while in other careers, no two days are alike. You can learn a lot by doing some online research and also by attending guest lectures, and networking with upper-level students and alumni.