
Internships
All undergraduate students in the School of Visual Communication Design are required to complete a three-credit-hour internship before graduation.
Most of our students find paid design, photo and illustration internship positions with businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and government entities. Over the last 30 years, the school has forged relationships with prominent businesses both in Ohio and around the country. Many internships are available on the Kent State campus, locally in Kent, Ravenna, Akron, Youngstown, Cleveland and other Ohio cities as well as other cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Birmingham.
If you have additional questions about our internship program, please email the School of VCD Internship Coordinator at vcdinternships@kent.edu.
- Download, fill out and submit the Internship Application Form.
- To find internships, visit Handshake.
Places Where Our Students Have Interned

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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the purpose of internship?The purpose of our internship requirement is to give our student both the experience of finding an internship with materials they prepare, and a real-world work experience in a professional setting interacting with skilled designers or photographers before graduation.
2. Who must complete an internship?
Every major in the Visual Communication Design degree program must complete one credit hour of 43091 Internship 1 to prepare for securing an internship and three credit hours of 40192 Internship 2 which is the internship itself.
3. What jobs qualify as internships?
Internships for credit must meet these criteria:
- The job is in the student’s major area of study
- The job is on site for a business or organization (rather than in a home)
- The job involves working in a staff (rather than freelance) capacity
- The student will be guided or mentored by a creative professional
- The student will be performing creative/design work
Exceptions must be signed off on by the Internship Coordinator.
4. What types of design/photo fields qualify?
Internships can be performed in any design/photo field of interest, as long as the job is involved in an area within the profession such as: Graphic Design, Advertising, Illustration, Printing, Exhibition Design, Signage, Audio Visual and/or Multi-Media Presentation Design, Public Relations, Computer Graphics, Environmental Graphic Design, Web Design, Web Production, Studio Photography, Editorial Photography, Photography Professional or Photo Styling.
5. How many credit hours of Internship 2 are required?
Three credit hours of 40192 Internship 2 are required and up to six are allowed. The additional three hours above and beyond the three-hour requirement may be applied towards the VCD Elective requirement or towards the university General Electives requirement. Students should work with their advisor to be sure that the additional elective credits will apply towards graduation goals.
6. How many hours of work are needed for the three credits?
For each one credit hour of 40192 Internship 2, design students must complete 100 work hours, which equates to 300 work hours for three credits. This means working about 20 hours a week per semester. Photography students must also complete 300 paid work hours or 150 hours if their internship is unpaid.
7. When do students do their internships?
Internships are typically worked during junior year, and can be done during any semester. Students doing their internship in the summer should plan on paying summer tuition.
8. What is the registration process for Internship 2?
Students may register for 40192 Internship 2 after they have successfully passed Internship 1 and have arranged an approved internship. To register for the course, students must submit the Internship Policy Agreement to the Internship Coordinator. Registration is controlled.
Note: Students must be registered for Internship 2 during the semester in which they will be completing the internship experience. It is against university policy to register a semester in advance or a semester after completing an internship.
9. Are internships graded?
Internship 2 students receive either an “S” (Satisfactory) or “U” (Unsatisfactory) grade. If the internship is completed successfully, the work hours requirements are met and a self-evaluation and employer evaluation are submitted, an “S” will be recorded. If a student cannot complete their internship in one semester, an IP (In Process) may be recorded for one semester. If an internship and the requisite evaluations are not completed by the following semester, a “U” will be recorded. Keep in mind that a “U” computes as an “F” in grade point averages.
10. Are internships paid?
Internships may be paid or unpaid. Each student is responsible for negotiating their salary, and the Internship Coordinator can provide guidance. Most internships available through the school are paid, with pay ranging from minimum wage to $20 per hour. Some employers offer other benefits such as a stipend or use of resources in lieu of a salary. Students should talk to potential employers about what compensation may be available and what portfolio work they can expect to produce during their internship, while keeping in mind any commuting and parking expenses that they might incur.
11. How do students find internships?
Students are responsible for finding their own internship, using their own network of family and friends as well as the resources provided:
- The Internship 1 course provides direction for the internship search
- The Internship coordinator sends out emails about opportunities
- Listings of approved companies and university departments
- VCD Facebook page
- HANDSHAKE university job posting site
- Career Exploration and Development
- VCD alumni
Students can also utilize job search sites such as Indeed, LinkedIn and Google and work with the Internship Coordinator or Career Exploration and Development representative if they need assistance. All students should have their internship approved in advance of making a commitment to ensure that they meet the criteria for the program.
12. What is required at the end of the internship experience?
Students must submit a self-evaluation to the Internship Coordinator, and the employer must submit an evaluation directly to the Internship Coordinator. These materials will be made available to students enrolled in Internship 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Places to Find Internships
ON CAMPUS
- Kent State University Libraries, Marketing and Communication
- www.library.kent.edu
- Contact: Matthew Merten, Senior Graphic Designer
- College of Business
- Contact: Daniel Kearsey
- Division of Student Affairs Design Lab
- Kent State Football Team (design & photography)
- Kent State Athletics Department (design & photography)
- Student Media (only certain jobs qualify based on internship criteria)
- University Publications (Uhuru, The Burr, Fusion, etc.)
- The University Press
- Office of Distance and Continued Education
- KSU Alumni Association Magazine
- University Marketing and Communications
- Departmental/School/College design staff
- Signum Design (Center for Student Involvement)
- Design Innovation Center
Note: Other jobs on campus will be considered on a case-by-case basis: check with the Internship Coordinator.
AKRON/CANTON AREA
- Lumis Works
- https://www.lumisworks.com
- Contact: Dave Stoll
- Innis Maggiore
- LOVELY SOMETHINGS greeting cards
- Red Point Digital
- 427 Design
- Squirrels
- Summit County Public Health
- www.scph.org
- Contact: Jeffrey Krauss, Informatics Supervisor
- The Impact Group
- http://www.igpr.com/
- likes KSU graduates
- Atlantic Water Gardens
- www.AtlanticWaterGardens.com
- Contact: Kendahl Kreps | SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER & MARKETING MANAGER
- Davey Resource Group
- http://www.davey.com/davey-resource-group/
- Contact: Zach Loudin | Marketing Coordinator
- Kleidon Marketing, advertising, branding
- OEC Richfield
- www.oeconnection.com
- Contact: Shannon Smith, Associate Recruiter
- Brookwood Management Company
- AKRON LIFE MAGAZINE
- Beech Creek Botanical Gardems & Naturr Preserve, Alliance
- Contact Beth Karapanzich
- https://www.beechcreekgardens.org/
- Hertel Design, Minerva
- Owner Tim Hertel
- http://www.herteldesign.com/
- PARTA (Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority)
- Fresh Mark Inc.
- Campbell Oil Company
- Lucky Shoes marketing internship
CLEVELAND AREA
- BALANCE innovation + design
- AZTEK
- Bialosky Cleveland Architecture and interior design
- Cleveland Museum OF Art
- MOCA
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- CleMetroBar.org
- Brennan Donnellan, Director of Marketing and Communications
- FORM
- https://theformgroup.com/jobs
- agency focused on arts, culture, and non-profits
- Mim Software
- Cross Country Mortgage (Brecksville, OH)
- https://crosscountrymortgage.com/about-us/careers/apply/?p=job%2FouVfbfwz
- Contact: Sonja Bryant, Graphic Design Marketing Manager
- 42 connect
- Digital marketing agency
- https://www.42connect.com/
- Contact: Nicholas Pesetsky
- Heilman Group
- www.hilemangroup.com
- Contact: Zachary Wright, Senior recruiter Zachary Wright
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Interdesign
- Moen
- Steris Corporation
- Art House
- VOCON Interior Design Firm
- The City Mission
- Great Lakes Publishing
- Union Home Mortgage - Strongsville
- Shurtape Technologies - Avon
- Premiere Produce One (may have photography needs as well)
- Hotbrands and Hotcards
- Mean Joe Advertising
- giemedia, Valley View
- www.giemedia.com
- Contact: Jim Blayney
BIRMINGHAM OH
- Bettcher Industries
YOUNGSTOWN AREA
- 898 Marketing - Canfield, OH
COLUMBUS AREA
- 2Tall animation and illustration
- Minds On digital agency
- https://mindson.com/About
- Contact: Kyle Hanna
- Ibel Agency
DAYTON, OH
- Bash Foo, Tipp City
ERIE PA
- Epic Web Studios
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Contact: Daryl Hill
CHICAGO
- IA Collaborative
PHOTOGRAPHY
- KALMAN & PABST - Cleveland, OH
- Interdesign, Mentor
- Taxel Creative
- Burklehagen Food Photography
- Riverfront Photography, Cuyahoga Falls
- TRG Multimedia
- Realtors Choice Photography
- Akron Film Collective
OUT OF STATE
- Microsite Health - remote, web design
- EPIC GAMES - Cary, NC
- Studio 71 - Beverly Hills, CA
- KOHL'S
WEBSITES
https://www.internfromhome.com/?ref=producthunt
https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?k=internships
https://awc.careerwebsite.com/
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/careers/pathways.cfm
https://www.parkerdewey.com/resources
https://workingnotworking.com/search/jobs?search_id=27274766&kind%5B%5D=3
- Kent State University Libraries, Marketing and Communication