Employers know that internships give students hands-on experience with workplace skills, challenges, and environments — experiences that make those students valuable employees.
The English Department cooperates with university-wide and off-campus partners to give internship experiences to our undergraduate students. Our students have:
- contributed to campaigns and health messaging with UAB Health Systems Marketing and Children’s Hospital of Alabama
- worked with Birmingham organizations specializing in magazine and book publishing, non-profit fundraising, and education (e.g., Birmingham Holocaust Education Center; McWane Science Center)
- written copy for websites and organizations including GirlSpring and First Avenue Ventures
- assisted the editors of the literary magazines NELLE and Birmingham Poetry Review throughout the editorial process, including assistance with author readings and publication launches
BA in Writing and Media
If you are pursuing this degree, you will take EH 411, Capstone Internship, toward the end of the program. This is a graded class that also involves working with a community, industry, or campus partner, and it will allow you to apply many of the skills you have learned in the Writing and Media program.
BA in English
If you are enrolled in the English major, you have the option to take an internship class. Internships fall into two categories:
- EH 311 is intended for juniors or seniors who want to gain workplace experience before they graduate
- EH 411 is intended for juniors or seniors who want to gain workplace experience before they graduate while satisfying the Capstone requirement for the B.A. in English
Final grades for EH 311 and 411 are based on the student's work ethic and written work. Grades are determined by the Internship Coordinator in consultation with the student's on-site internship supervisor.
Next Steps
Students interested in internships should meet with Dr. Jennifer Young, English Internship Coordinator, to discuss available internship opportunities.
To participate in an internship through the English department, students should:
- have at least junior standing or the equivalent course credits
- be able to work 10-15 hours weekly to fulfill commitments to the employer, and
- enroll in the appropriate internship course (EH 311 or 411) for the internship semester and, under the supervision of the Internship Coordinator and fulfill all requirements for that course.
Make an appointment at the beginning of the semester prior to the semester in which you hope to hold an internship. Following the meeting, complete and submit the Internship Application form.
Contact
For more information about the Internship program, contact Dr. Jennifer Young,