News from the 2000 Winter Meeting in Atlanta
Teresa Mastin, ICIG Head

December 1-3, 2000, approximately 150 of your fellow Association for Journalism and Mass Communication Educators (AEJMC) members representing all divisions and interest groups meet in Atlanta to plan the 2001 AEJMC annual convention, which will be held in Washington, D.C., August 5-8. Representing the Internships and Careers Interest Group (ICIG) at the Council of Divisions Business Meeting and the Council of Divisions Convention Programming Meeting were: Teresa Mastin, Head; Alan J. Kirkpatrick, Vice Head and program Chair; Anne M. Hoag, Secretary/Newsletter Editor; and Michelle Betz, Teaching Standards Committee Chair. Our reason for being there was to confirm convention programming that will be beneficial to all ICIG members.

Business Meeting Highlights
The issue of posting papers presented at the AEJMC summer conference online was discussed at the business meeting. The pros and cons of having papers posted online were discussed at length. The major concern is that some journal editors consider online paper postings as a publication. If you have strong feelings, either positive or negative, about this issue please let me know so that I can pass your concerns along to the proper governing board.

Programming
We were quite successful getting the panels we put on the table programmed. In brief, our programming titles and times:

ICIG Programming 2001 AEJMC Convention Washington, DC
Sunday, 8:15 a.m.
Type: Teaching Panel
Title: The D.C. Experience: Capital Ideas for News Internships
Co-sponsor: Newspaper Division
Description: A look at news internships around Washington.

Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
Type: Teaching Panel
Title: Mid-career Interning: Faculty Going from Classroom to Newsroom
Co-sponsor: RTVJ
Description: A review of RTNDF's $950,000 grant from the Knight Foundation to establish the Excellence in Journalism Education Project, a three-year program providing four-week placements in TV newsrooms for about 15 faculty members per year.

Sunday, 6:00 p.m.
Type: PF&R Panel
Title: Convergence in the Curriculum
Co-sponsor: RTVJ
Description: Broadcast, print and new-media educators will discuss their collaboration in coming up with a common, converged curriculum that reflects the convergence in the industry.

Monday, 2:45 p.m.
Type: PF&R Panel
Title: Women at the Top
Co-sponsor: Commission on the Status of Women
Description: Lessons learned and learned and learned. It's time to share the stories and successes with a new generation of journalism students who may think the work is finished.

Monday, 4:30 p.m.
Type: PF&R Panel
Title: Contracts, Unions and Agents: Preparing Students for the Business End of the Industry
Co-sponsor: RTVJ
Description: This panel will address some of the ins and outs and do's and don'ts of signing contracts, dealing with agents and unions.

Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.
ICIG Refereed Research

Tuesday, 2:45 p.m.
Type: Teaching Panel
Title: A Lighthearted Look at Serious Career-entry Gaffes
Co-sponsor: Community College Journalism Association
Description: A series of cartoons collected by Temple University Michael Maynard that depict funny job-seeking situations will set the tone for a panel about how students can prevent common entry-level mistakes in interviewing, internship/job selection, resume preparation and/or cover letter writing.

Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.
ICIG Business Meeting

How NOT to get a job: Teaching students how to ace the job interview
Michelle Betz, Teaching Standards Chair

We've all been there: the end of the semester is rolling around, students are ready to graduate and they're beginning to look for that all-important job. So they stop by your office for some advice on how to get that job. Unfortunately, we as academics tend to focus on the theory and practice of our various areas of communications, spending little, if any, time teaching resume and cover letter-writing and interviewing skills. But it is these skills that often help form that crucial first impression of our students when they're out there looking for industry jobs.

To pass on some tips, Michelle Betz, a lecturer at the University of Central Florida, and Jeanine L'Ecuyer, a training consultant and former television news director, addressed some of these issues on a panel at AEJ's annual convention in Phoenix. They suggested the student look at job hunting as a four-stage process.

First, the student needs to get the interview. In order to do that the candidate needs to have a resume and cover letter free of grammatical and spelling mistakes (in particular, they need to spell the name of the prospective employer correctly). They also need to customize the cover to the job description - they need to write for the job they're applying for!

Second, students need to prepare for the interview. This involves researching the company and being familiar with the company's product, whatever the medium. Have students do mock interviews in class (they could be videotaped and critiqued together) and finally remind students to have some questions ready for the prospective employer.

Third, the student needs to ace the interview itself. There are a number of things the student needs to keep in mind here: arrive early, dress professionally, bring several copies of their resume, reference list (and demo reel if applicable), make a good first impression. Students need to be honest and shouldn't come across as if they already know everything. Students should ask follow-up questions - remind them that an interview is a 2-way street - the student is interviewing them just as much as they're interviewing the student! Finally, if things have gone well, the student should ask to tour the facility.

Fourth, don't forget to follow up. Remind students that they're trying to stand out in the minds of the prospective employers. One way of doing this is to send a thank you note. In that note, students can mention what they learned during the interview and they can mention anything they forgot to say during the interview that is pertinent.

While much of this seems obvious, that's probably because many of us have been doing this for years. For students either still in college or graduating, it can be a daunting process and they need whatever help and encouragement we can give them.

Get Involved in ICIG
Teresa Mastin, ICIG Head

Participating in programming planning for the 2001 convention at the Atlanta meeting earlier this month was an exhilarating eye-opening experience for all of us. I would like to encourage each of you to become more active member in the ICIG. There are several benefits of becoming involved, several of which I would like to outline. First, when you serve as an officer you have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of how the organization works. Second, you are instrumental in ensuring that professional development, teaching, and research panels of interest to the members you represent are programmed. Third, and perhaps most important-at least most rewarding-is that you have the opportunity to work with others you might not otherwise interact with because of geographic distances or different research interests. If you are considering becoming more involved with AEJMC, the IGIC is an ideal place to begin. The interest group is small enough that you will have an opportunity to participate in all facets. If there is a particular position you are interested in, please contact the person currently holding the position and inquire about their responsibilities. For your convenience, you can find the email addresses of the individuals currently serving in ICIG leadership positions at the ICIG Web site.

Research Notes
Shelly Campo, Research Chair

I need your help. First, I encourage all of you to submit papers for our AEJMC research panel. The ICIG group is open to papers that use a variety of research methods and is interested in receiving sound theoretical and research papers on a range of topics including such things as factors predicting success, satisfaction or failure in work environments, successful mentoring programs, advancing women and minorities through internship and career experiences, job searching on-line, telecommuting, evaluating internship and career perspectives, and a host of other ideas related to our field. The possibilities are endless; we are open to any sound theoretically-based idea. Second, I am still looking for faculty reviewers of research paper submissions. If you are willing, please contact me at (607) 255-2605 or via email at mlc45@cornell.edu.

Internships Database Under Construction
Michelle Betz, Teaching Standards Chair

ICIG Is building a database of Cross-National Exchange/Internship Programs in Mass Communication. As one of our division's goals this year, ICIG is cooperating with the International Communications Division to build a database of cross-national exchange/internship programs for mass communication scholars and students. Our Teaching Standards Committee Chair, Michelle Betz at the University of Central Florida, has begun compiling information. It is planned that the database will be posted on both ICD and ICIG websites for easy access. If you have any information of this sort, please e-mail to Michelle at mmbetz@hotmail.com.

ICIG Goes Virtual!
Anne Hoag, Secretary

Beginning with this issue of the ICIG Newsletter, our interest group launches its website and online newsletter. As other divisions and interest groups before use have found, moving to the Web means more flexibility and more opportunity for exchanging ideas and information. Some of the features of the web site are the listserv, the newsletter and access to resources. Not all features are active yet - and we still need your input to make it better. The URL is www.psu.edu/dept/comm/icig. Please send ideas and comments to Anne Hoag, mailto:amh13@psu.edu