What are three pieces of advice one might give to a Senior Experience potential candidate?

1. Be prepared to work hard at your internship starting the first day.
2. Ask questions -- both at your internship and during your SE classes.
3. Do your best work, not your fastest work.  Employers are impressed by quality and attention to detail over quantity.

If I participate in the Senior Experience, what kinds of classes could I take and what would my typical day be like?

In addition to your internship, most students should plan to take 2 or 3 classes during the week.  Two-hour classes are scheduled in the afternoons Monday through Thursday from 2PM to 4PM or 4PM to 6PM.  Some of the courses offered at the Turnbull Center include

J408 – Surviving and Thriving in the Media Workplace
J452 – Advanced Writing
J454 – Public Relations Campaigns
J497 – Media Management

Students who participate in the SE should generally plan to work at their internship site from 8AM to 12PM, Monday through Thursday.  In addition, students are available to work at their internship all day Friday because no classes are scheduled for students on Fridays.

How many credits are given for internships?

Generally students receive 4 credits (J404) for their internship. However, students should speak to their academic advisor about specific arrangements.  Students can take no more than 4 credits, and some students come to the SE already having some J404 credits and thus are limited.  If you have further questions, you are encouraged to speak with

 What is the process and criteria for getting into the program?

Two terms before a student would like to be a part of the SE, a call for applications and résumés will go out to students who will be in their last or very close to last quarter of college. Applicants are interviewed and screened by a faculty panel that will evaluate the applicant’s goals, background, academic standing and recommendations.  Students who have been selected for the SE will be notified 4 to 6 weeks before the start of the next term (example: students who are selected for the spring cohort [Apr-June] will be notified in late November).  Students who will be a part of the program in the fall quarter will be notified of their selection before the end of the previous academic year (May-June).

What is the schedule for applying and faculty interviewing?

Bil Morril, SOJC Career Services Coordinator, is the best person to contact in regard to application deadlines and program interviewing.   Announcements about applications, deadlines and interviews will be made in your public relations, journalism or advertising classes during the year. 

You may reach Bil at (541) 346-2171 or bmorrill@uoregon.edu.

If I am not part of the Senior Experience, may I take courses at the Turnbull Center in Portland?

 
Great question!  In the past we have had a couple of students who have moved to Portland to take courses and not participate in the SE, but given the cost of relocation and off-campus living this might not be a realistic possibility for most students.  You should speak with Bil Morrill, Prof. Pat Curtin (pcurtin@uoregon.edu), Prof. Kim Sheehan (ksheehan@rowell.uoregon.edu) or your academic advisor about this.
 

If an employer wants me to work longer than the 10-week University requirement, but I can’t, will that keep me from getting an internship with that employer?

The short answer is, it might.  Neither the SOJC nor the SE can force businesses to make an internship decision or alter their policies.  If an organization has internal policies regarding internship length and part of those policies require interns to work more than 10 weeks, you might not get the opportunity.

However, this is something we like to bring to students’ attention up-front.  We might also be able to get creative with the organization and its opportunity. For example, perhaps you might be able to start working in June, three months before the start of the fall academic year and SE.  Flexibility on your part might allow you to capitalize on an internship that otherwise would not be available to you.

Can I find an internship on my own?

Absolutely!  Some students have already formed relationships with organizations in the Portland market.  You may approach businesses well before the start of the academic year to inquire about internship opportunities.  We strongly encourage this type of initiative. It’s never too early to start looking for opportunities. In fact, a great place to start looking is http://portland.craigslist.org/search/jjj?query=intern.

Many of our interns have been successful at finding an opportunity over the summer and rolling that opportunity into the SE.  Students who take the initiative to really look into the market and find an opportunity that feels right for them often have the most rewarding SE. 

Of course, at some point the SE program manager will want to speak with that employer to let them know about some of the University requirements for credit and to make sure the internship is beneficial for the student and the organization.  If you do secure your own internship opportunity, you should contact Josh Netzer, the Senior Experience Program Manager, right away (jnetzer@uoregon.edu).

What if I get turned down by several organizations?

All of us, at some point in our lives, have not gotten the job we had our heart set on, often because another candidate appeared to be a better fit for the organization.  This is a reality that will actually make us better at interviewing and give us better skills and the chance to learn from the experience and move forward. 

The SE program manager is in constant communication with all of our supporting organizations.  Generally, we receive feedback about your interview and know if you got the job (or didn’t) before you do.  The truth is, some students have missed opportunities because they were too nervous during the interview, didn’t do their research about an organization first or had grammatical or spelling errors in their résumé or writing samples.

As with the professional world, these are mistakes from which we can learn.  Students who have difficulty interviewing have the opportunity to spend time with the program manager in mock interviews, going over common interview questions and discussing strategies. These sessions will give you an edge over competing candidates.

Grammatical or spelling errors on résumés or writing samples translate as a direct reflection of what kind of intern you will be. Employers want interns who will pay significant attention to detail.  Organizations take on some liability as a business by hiring an intern, and when you work for an organization, you are representing that organization professionally (you are also representing the University, SOJC and the SE).  If you have errors in your work samples or résumé, what does that say about your level of professionalism?

I’m planning on touring Europe for a year after my graduation, so I can only work for 10 weeks. Should I honestly tell an employer about my plans?

As part of being a professional, honesty is always the best policy.  If you are asked about your availability or plans during an interview, you should be clear and straightforward about your availability. 

How many interviews will you help to arrange?

The goal of the SE is for every student to obtain an internship.  There is no set number of opportunities you may receive.  Students average more than one interview before they can capitalize on an opportunity. You may also continue to stay in touch with the program manager after your graduation for résumé or interviewing advice and insight.

What if my goal isn’t really to be in, say, public relations, but rather to be a pharmaceutical sales representative (or go to graduate school, or study elementary education, etc.)?  If I am honest with an organization, will that affect my chances of getting an internship?

It certainly might.  Think of an interview as a first date.  It takes some tact and grace.  Some things are probably better left unsaid until a more appropriate time.  If you tell potential internship supervisors that you really have no interest in their field but you are “just doing this to live in Portland for a while,” you might find your interview abruptly ended.

 The SE is designed to help you gain real-world professional experience in an area that currently interests you.  This experience is what helps most students better understand what a career involving that interest will be like and if it is really the right path.

To illustrate this, consider the SE student who found out during her internship that she really didn’t enjoy that particular professional career; instead she realized that she really wanted to be a medical doctor.  The internship was key in helping her realize her actual dreams.  Today that student is enrolled at OHSU and is well on her way to becoming a doctor.

After your internship you are welcome to select whatever career path you wish to follow.  Statistically speaking, most people have four or five “careers” in their lives. 

Does the Senior Experience help with housing?

Unfortunately, the SE does not help with housing.  Before moving to Portland from Eugene, students should carefully consider their finances, what the average rent might be and other expenses associated with the increased cost of living in Portland.  Students fortunate enough to have friends or family in Portland might consider living with them during the quarter.  Students from out of state or who don’t have family or friends in the area will want to take that into consideration.  Some students have moved in together to save on rent or have rented rooms in large homes rather than an entire apartment.

A good place to start looking for housing in the Portland area is Craig’s List (http://portland.craigslist.org/hhh/).

Is there health insurance for Senior Experience?

Yes! UO and Portland State University (PSU) have an agreement that allows you to obtain medical attention through PSU’s Center for Student Health and Counseling (http://www.shac.pdx.edu/).  The Center is located at 1880 SW 6th Ave., Suite #200.

Appointments for medical or counseling services are made by calling the clinic at (503) 725-2800 or by coming into the clinic and speaking with one of the receptionists. You’ll need your UO student ID card.

How does public transportation work in Portland?  Will I need a car?

Realistically, a car will make your life a lot easier.  Many of our business partners are located right downtown, which is convenient for some students, but some locations, such as Nike, are located in Beaverton.

However, Portland boasts one of the country’s premiere public transportation systems.  You can get practically anywhere you want in the Portland Metro Area using TriMet (www.trimet.org). The Turnbull Center is located on the MAX line in “Fare-less Square,” but you should expect to purchase a monthly pass or bus fare if you plan to take public transportation outside of downtown.  Many employers also offer bus passes or reimbursement to their employees.

Do I have to have my own laptop?

Generally it isn’t required, but your life might be easier if you have your own laptop.  Most of our intern employers will have a workstation with a computer and phone for you to use during your time with them.

Will I be able to meet previous Senior Experience students?

Some of our past students have made themselves available to speak about their time in the SE.  If you would like to speak to a former student who participated in the experience, you should contact Josh Netzer, the Senior Experience Program Manager, at (503) 412-3661 or jnetzer@uoregon.edu.

If we have more questions later, whom should we contact?

If you are on campus and would like to speak to someone about the academic side of the SE, selection process, application deadlines or basic interest in the program, you should contact

 If you have questions regarding internships, potential employers, classes at the Turnbull Center, interviewing or the SE, you should contact