Internships and Careers

• Employing interns is a great way to invest in your company's future talent pipeline and provide students with meaningful experiential learning. To receive credit, students must complete an internship spanning the academic semester (at least 15 weeks in spring or fall and 12 weeks in summer). The internship must be relevant to Graphic Communications and must be a full-time (40 hrs/week) and paid position.
• Near the conclusion of the internship, supervisors will be asked to complete a brief evaluation form for the intern. This evaluation counts towards a portion of their grade for the internship course.
• Internship Overview PDF
• Employer Interest Form

• To receive credit, your internship must fit the following requirements:
  • Relevant to Graphic Communications.
  • Minimum 15 weeks in Spring or Fall; minimum 12 weeks in Summer.
  • Full-time, 40 hours/week.
  • Paid.
  • Only one internship may be during the Summer. One internship must be in either Spring or Fall.
• Prerequisites:
  • First internship: after GC 1020, but before any 4000-level course.
  • Second internship: after GC 4060 or 4400, but before your last semester preceding graduation.
• Approval:
  • Internships must be approved by your academic advisor using the Internship Approval Form.

• Employer registration for Intern Employer Day includes a 6-foot table and two chairs. Employers typically bring a branded tablecloth and/or display backdrop, company information and examples of their work.
• Your sponsorship helps support engagement between students and industry, including student and faculty travel to conferences, industry outreach and networking programs such as Intern Employer Day.
• Intern Employer Day is held on the 2nd floor of the Hendrix Student Center on Clemson's campus. Setup for the event takes place between 8-10 a.m., with students coming through between 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• The Graduating Senior Reception takes place the evening before from 6-8 p.m. and is an excellent opportunity to network with upcoming graduates in a relaxed setting.
• Registration is now open for Intern Employer Day on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and our Senior Networking Night on March 3, 2025, from 6-8 p.m.
• Attendance for students is free, and no pre-registration is required.

• There are several recommendations we can make to attract top student interns.
• Temporary housing away from Clemson is a major obstacle for some students locked into expensive, 12-month leases. Some of our successful employers provide a fully furnished apartment to interns, while others supplement hourly pay with a housing stipend.
• Competitive wages will also help students offset temporary housing costs, along with other expenses associated with moving and working away for the semester.
• Students enjoy contributing in meaningful ways during their internship. Creating internship experiences that treat the student as part of the team rather than cheap, temporary labor is highly encouraged. After all, the best way to market your company to future students is for them to talk positively about their experience.

• We recommend creating a structured program for the student. Rotations through various departments or a dedicated mentor are proven methods to enhance the student learning experience.
• Providing the intern with sufficient work can sometimes be challenging, especially when their supervisor becomes busy. Assigning a longer-term project is a great way to keep the intern engaged when things get slow, or you cannot devote as much time to them.

• Internships follow the Clemson academic calendar and must be at least 15 weeks in Spring or Fall and 12 weeks in Summer.
• Spring: early January to late April.
• Summer: mid-May to late July.
• Fall: mid-August to early December.
• Start and end dates can be flexible when agreed upon by the intern and the employer but must be communicated to the GC Internship Coordinator, Bobby Congdon.
• Extended internships are allowed, but course material must be submitted by the end of the academic semester.

In an effort to accommodate the "new normal" of remote work while also recognizing the value of on-site internships in exposing students to equipment, company culture, and a wider variety of career opportunities, we are establishing the following guidelines for remote and hybrid internships.

Remote work will be defined as work done entirely outside of a company location.

Hybrid work will be defined as 50% or greater of work done outside a company location. For example, working from home three days per week and reporting to an office twice weekly.

1. Students may count only one remote or hybrid internship towards GC internship credit.
2. Interns must report to a supervisor or team conducting work similar to the intern.
3. Daily, real-time communication via video conferencing, phone calls or company chat platforms (such as Teams or Slack) with the intern supervisor or team is required.
4. Supervisor must submit a written letter describing the remote/hybrid work conditions, including how daily communication occurs and how hours worked are being appropriately tracked.
5. Students may not take GC lab courses concurrently with an internship.

• GC 3500 & COOP 2010 (first required internship after GC 1020 but before any 4000-level class).
• GC 4500 & COOP 2020 (second required internship after GC 4060 or GC 4400 but before your last semester preceding graduation).
• GC 4550 & COOP 2030 (optional third internship not in place of GC 4500).
• You must be enrolled in both courses.
• In the GC Internship course (1 credit hour), you will submit two 1-page reflection papers and create a 3-5 minute video showcasing your internship for future students.
• As a reminder, all internships must be approved through our Approval Form.
• Internships are a 40-hour-per-week commitment, and taking classes while on internship can be difficult. No more than six credit hours (in addition to the internship credit hour) can be taken during the internship. Online/asynchronous courses may be a good option to consider. Speak with your academic advisor for advice on this.

• Be sure to meet with your academic advisor to plan on when you'll be taking your internship. This is critical in planning your path through the curriculum. Keep in mind you must take your first internship before taking any 4000-level courses!
• Intern Employer Day is the most effective way to discover your internship. Generally, between 40-50 companies are in attendance looking for interns and full-time hires. Many companies seek multiple interns, and most seek interns for several semesters. Intern Employer Day is held in the Hendrix Student Center each March and October (dates will be communicated frequently). Bring copies of your resume, and plan on spending at least one hour at the event. GC courses generally do not meet on the day of Intern Employer Day.
• Clemson University offers a job posting service called Business JobLink, where many companies post internship opportunities. Check for listings on JobLink, but keep in mind not all of them may meet the requirements for GC Internship credit.
• Find your own! Many students have had success finding their own internships, either in their hometown or at a company they are interested in. The GC Internship Program Flyer outlines the requirements and can be useful when talking to a company that has not hired a GC intern before. Sites like LinkedIn and Indeed can also be sources for checking for internship opportunities.
• We maintain a GC internship searchable database of companies and contacts that have hired GC students in the past. Email the GC Internship Coordinator, Bobby Congdon, for access.

• Internships are a great way to explore other parts of the country (or world) for a short time. Consider internships outside the Clemson area as a way to visit new places! As a bonus, internships outside of the Clemson area are less competitive.
• Graphic Communications is a highly varied industry, with career paths spanning the gamut from creative to technical, management to sales and operations to marketing. Use your internship to explore these career paths, both in the role you take and by learning about your co-workers while on internship.
• Consider the company structure you may want to work in. From large corporations to small businesses, each structure has its pros and cons and can help you decide what to look for in an employer after graduation.

• You are, first and foremost, an employee of the company while doing your internship. While you will have some student obligations, remember that you will need to follow company policies and holiday schedules. (You won't get Spring Break off.)
• Follow the company dress code and show up to work on time.
• Be inquisitive! Ask questions. Ask for more work. Internships are a valuable opportunity to learn about the industry you will be entering after graduation. Explore the various career paths available to you.
• Get outside your comfort zone. Internships last relatively short and can be a fantastic way to discover something new you may not have considered before.
• Your internship may not always be a perfect fit. Sometimes, discovering what you don't want to do is just as valuable. Make the best of your time and learn what you can.

While on internship, you may put a hold on scholarships and student loans you may have. Contact the Financial Aid office to do this, or if you have any questions about financial aid while on internship.