TAMIU Communication Students Learning Career Success through Internships

This Spring, Texas A&M International University communication majors are honing crucial skills for career success while they occupy an unprecedented number of internship positions at local media outlets and non-profit organizations.

Marcela Morán, assistant professor of communication and director of the communication internship program, said TAMIU’s Communication program has been steadily increasing the number of partnerships with Laredo employers offering internships for communication students.

A total of 27 communication seniors are participating in internships programs this semester, Morán said, adding that employers include Literacy Volunteers of Laredo, PMGD Marketing Communications, KGNS Channel 8, LAREDOS newspaper, El Mañana, United Independent School District, KLDO Univision 27, Melissa Salinas Photography, Laredo Bucks Hockey, Border Media, Radiorama Laredo, and Los 40 Principales 99.3 FM.      On campus internships include The Bridge Student Newspaper; the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services; the Office of the Vice President for Institutional Advancement; Communication Video Editing Lab, PROF Center, and the Athletics Department, Morán said.

“We have more interns working at local news media outlets this year compared to previous years when most students only did their internships here on campus,” Morán said, “We are grateful to our Laredo partners’ willingness to provide a professional learning experience to our students by offering them an internship.”

Dr. María Flores, assistant professor of communication, said that through internships, students learn the importance of community service.

“One of our biggest goals is to not only educate our students academically, but to also teach them that community service is an integral part of professional life,” she said, “An internship also gives students the opportunity to get their foot in the door career-wise and network with potential employers.”

Morán said she encourages more employers to participate in TAMIU’s internship program.

“Communication is a pivotal component of doing business and working with our communication interns will also help employers enhance their existing communication strategies as well as image and brand management,” Morán said, “We encourage those who would like to partner with us to contact us at any time.”

Mariela Rodríguez, reporting intern at LAREDOS, said she enjoys working under the supervision of the newspaper’s founder, María Eugenia Guerra.

“I’m learning how a newspaper is managed and am required to come up with story ideas for features as well as to go out in the field and look for stories and photo opportunities,” Rodríguez said, “I’m grateful to Ms. Guerra for giving me the opportunity to do my internship at her newspaper, especially because it is considered a prestigious newspaper within our community.”

Another student, Evelyn Pérez, who is interning at The Bridge as its chief editor, said that she is thankful to the student newspaper for allowing her to build her portfolio.

“The internship is helping me learn my profession and trade through hands-on experience,” she said, “I am given the responsibility to manage equipment, to write stories, talk to reporters face-to-face and most of all, my internship requires that I make myself familiar with all aspects of running and managing a newspaper.”

Mark Nix, also a reporting intern at The Bridge, said he is learning how a newspaper produces income and creative ways to attract more readers and advertisers.

“My career goals are to work for a magazine in Austin, Texas,” he said, “After working in Austin, I would like to pursue a career as a journalist in New York City. My career goals are high, but with the experience at my internship, I feel that it will prepare and assist me in reaching my career goals.”

For more information, please contact Morán at 326.3047, e-mail amoran@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center, room 324 C.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu