Internship Information

Digital Media Program

Internships are an integral part of the graphic communications technology learning experience at the University of Houston. All graphic communications technology students must complete at least one internship experience—for three credit hours each—as a part of their Technology Leadership and Supervision/Graphic Communications Technology degree plan.

Benefits

Internships provide each student with an opportunity to learn the most up-to-date processes from people who know those processes the best—working professionals. Internships ground students in the real world of graphic communications businesses with exposure to issues such as production, deadlines, quality control, customer service, and cost containment—concepts that are difficult to learn in a university lecture hall and laboratory. This first-hand experience becomes an important addition to the student's resume.

Internships also provide the student with an opportunity to develop a network of professional business contacts—both managers and professional technicians—that can be invaluable to the student's career aspirations.

In addition, internships provide employers with a solid link to the university. By providing internship experiences, employers get to know prospective employees and are able to provide valuable input into the graphic communications technology curriculum.

Custom-Designed

All internships are custom-designed by the individual student in consultation with a professor who teaches graphic communications technology. Students must ask themselves “what do I need to learn more about to enhance my future career?” For example, if a student is interested in becoming a production manager for an advertising agency, an internship in an agency with a professional production manager would be invaluable. Similarly, an internship with an estimator in a printing firm would be advantageous to such a student.

Before You Begin

Before beginning an internship experience, a student must meet with a professor who teaches graphic communications technology to discuss the student's educational needs and objectives. This meeting should be scheduled at least two months prior to the semester in which the student will enroll in an internship.

Based upon the meeting, the student will compose a draft objective statement. The objectives of each internship are flexible and will vary according to the knowledge-acquisition needs and career goals of each individual student. The draft objective statement, along with the student's detailed resumé, must be presented to the student's professor for tentative approval no later than six weeks prior to the beginning of the internship semester.

A Partial List of Participating Employers

• UH Printing Department
• Wetmore Printing
• Houston Chronicle
• Southwest Precision Printers
• Reflection Printing
• Print Mailers, Inc.
• FasClampitt

To the Employer

If you are an employer and are interested in participating in the internship program, please e-mail Dr. Jerry Waite at jwaite@uh.edu or call 713-743-4089. If you are a student interested in becoming an intern in a graphic communications-related business, please contact Dr. Jerry Waite, or any UH professor who teaches graphic communications technology.