About

PCIM sponsors a summer internship program aimed at giving Ithaca College students the opportunity to work at some of the best independent media institutions and advocacy nonprofits in the nation. Participating students are awarded financial stipends of up to $3,200. Typically, 8-12 students are awarded each summer.

In the past years, students have interned with Convergence Magazine, FAIR, Project Censored, The Real News Network and Truthout. For a more extensive list of media outlets and examples of intern experiences, see the media outlets page.
 
To learn more about past and current interns, visit our intern page.

Expectations

PCIM sponsored interns are expected to:

  • Work up to 25 hours per week for at least 8 weeks (with some exceptions) at an independent media outlet. Many outlets may offer remote opportunities and must be discussed before the internship start date,
  • Submit weekly logs to PCIM staff summarizing key tasks, learnings, accomplishments and challenges,
  • Attend bi-weekly check-in meetings with PCIM staff, and
  • Receive academic credit (between 1 and 3 credits) for which interns pay tuition fees.

Eligibility

Those eligible to apply:

  • are a current student at Ithaca College,
  • are in a major, or minor, closely related to independent media,
  • have maintained a minimum 3.25 GPA,
  • have earned a minimum of 45 credit hours by the internship start date, and
  • have started looking into specific media outlets of interest.

How to Apply

  1. First, students are required to reach out to outlets of interest to secure a summer internship.
  2. Second, students submit application materials by the deadline(s). More information on deadlines and submission instructions are here. Note: The earlier the submission the more likely to secure PCIM funding. 
  3. Third, applicants are reviewed.

IF SELECTED, applicants must complete the following before the internship start date:

  • A one-time attendance at a Sexual Harassment Prevention session,
  • An Application for Credit, which will be emailed once selected. The tuition fee for Summer 2026 is $700.00 per credit, and
  • Review and sign an Internship Stipend Letter.

Important note: Funding used to support your internship expenses – other than tuition – will be considered taxable income and must be reported by you on IRS Form 1099-NEC. As a result, Ithaca College will need to request you submit IRS Form W-9 prior to issuing payment, and you may need to pay additional tax on that income. 

For Partnering Outlets

Creating High-Quality Internship Experiences

Thank you for partnering with the Park Center for Independent Media (PCIM) at Ithaca College. Each summer (and at times during the academic school year), PCIM awards stipends of up to $3,200 to 8–12 students to support internships with outstanding independent media organizations and advocacy nonprofits. Your mentorship plays a critical role in helping students translate classroom learning into meaningful professional experience.

What Makes a High-Quality Internship?

A successful internship provides students with opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow professionally. We ask employer partners to ensure internships:

  • Include meaningful, substantive work that supports your organization's mission (with no more than 25% clerical or administrative tasks).
  • Provide clearly defined responsibilities, projects, and learning objectives.
  • Introduce interns to your organization's culture, staff, and mission through a thoughtful orientation.
  • Offer opportunities to develop professional skills, expand knowledge, and build confidence.
  • Include regular supervision, mentoring, and constructive feedback throughout the internship.

Supervisor Responsibilities

A dedicated supervisor is essential to a successful internship. Supervisors should:

  • Establish clear expectations, goals, and learning outcomes at the beginning of the internship.
  • Meet regularly with interns to discuss progress, answer questions, and provide timely feedback.
  • Assign meaningful work that allows interns to build relevant skills and make valuable contributions.
  • Provide the training, resources, and equipment necessary for interns to succeed.
  • Include interns in meetings, collaborative projects, and appropriate networking opportunities.
  • Complete a final evaluation that recognizes accomplishments and identifies areas for continued growth.

Supporting Student Learning

Internships are educational experiences as well as professional ones. We encourage supervisors to:

  • Help students develop and revisit learning goals throughout the internship.
  • Encourage reflection, curiosity, and professional development.
  • Offer stretch assignments or exposure to different aspects of your organization when appropriate.
  • Celebrate interns' contributions and provide recommendations or career guidance when warranted.

Creating a Safe, Inclusive Workplace

PCIM expects all internship sites to provide a professional, ethical, and respectful work environment.

Employer partners should:

  • Maintain a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
  • Ensure interns know whom to contact if concerns arise.
  • Protect interns' privacy and personal information.
  • Discuss workplace safety procedures and emergency protocols during orientation.
  • Encourage interns to report concerns immediately to both their workplace supervisor and PCIM.

A safe, inclusive, and supportive environment is fundamental to a successful internship experience.

Thank You!

By investing your time, expertise, and mentorship, you help prepare the next generation of journalists, communicators, advocates, and media professionals. We sincerely appreciate your partnership and your commitment to providing an exceptional learning experience for Ithaca College students.

Mickey Huff, Distinguished Director, mhuff2@ithaca.edu
Marcy Sutherland, Associate Director, msutherland1@ithaca.edu

Park Center for Independent Media 
Roy H. Park School of Communications 
Ithaca College