Communications Media Internships

Film/Video students are required to create their portfolio on Vimeo. Please see guidelines below on how to use Vimeo, and information on putting together a good demo reel. 

Vimeo Guidelines

• General Help
• Uploading and Compression Guidelines
• Showcase Instructions
• Free Plan Information

Portfolio Reminders

• Choose 2-3 clips of your best work
• Each clip should be no longer than two minutes or so
• No clip should contain copyrighted material that you do not explicitly have permission to use

General Points

• Use the models you have been given, for resumes, for your Vimeo reel, for everything. They work. They are efficient. Do not re-invent the internship materials.
• If you are doing an online internship interview, that doesn’t mean you are not in an interview!
• Bathe, dress and psych up as if you were walking into an office. If you wouldn’t slouch in the chair in the interview, don’t do it on Zoom either. Wear nice clothing, even if they can’t see much of it; you’ll FEEL like you’re a better candidate, and they will too.
• Clean up your background room. Neutral is better than a mess. A clean room with depth is even better. You’re F/V students, prove you know what a good frame looks like!
• Use headphones with a mic, unless you absolutely know there won’t be noise interference from neighborhood, roommates, etc. Try not to use a gaming headset unless you have absolutely no other option. You want to look like a job search candidate, not a small aircraft pilot.
• Put your camera at head height. No one wants to look up your nostrils.
• Vimeo Passwords should be so simple they can be typed by an infant. The interviewer will need to be able to get through the password interface. Make it easy for them.
• TEST YOUR REEL ON SOMEONE ELSE’S COMPUTER!

Editing Reels

1. Include 2-3 short sequences (1-2 minutes max) showing you can cut different types (one or two each from dialog, action, talking head, montage, etc). no whole pieces.
2. If you want to use two or more pieces from the same film, cut these shorter sequences from the single whole sequence and join them together into one piece (3-4 minutes max) with a dip to black between segments. Identify this as "Excerpts from... (name of whole sequence/project)"
3. Post-Essentials and Editing Students: You can use content from Lavinia's Heist, Anesthesia, Authentic, and Built By Life projects, but you must identify it in your text as "edited from
4. tutorial materials provided by and used with the permission of EditStock or EditMentor,” whichever applies, with credits for the original director of the piece (IMDB it!).
5. List ALL your software proficiencies. Do not use terms such as "familiar with" or the like. Either list software titles you can use effectively or leave them off. Office Suite Word and Excel and different OS's count. List any spoken/written language proficiency other than English!
6. Do NOT use any copyrighted music and avoid any product shots, unless you have explicit permission; if you do, then make it explicit. If you have permission, put that permission IN the demo reel item description. They have to assume you'd get them into trouble doing the same thing if you use content without permission.

How to make a graphic design portfolio        

• Do not wait until the last minute -  Portfolios take weeks to make. Ideally you should start the portfolio in the sophomore year on your own and then over time add new work and refine it. If you do not already have a portfolio, you should take action today. A portfolio is an ongoing thing that you develop and hone over time. It should grow and evolve with your work. It is a design project in its own right. Leave time for errors with production.            
• What is a portfolio? You must create a web and print portfolio to successfully complete your degree at Fitchburg State. A portfolio is the window into your talents and skills. It is a place to show off your best. It should contain your best works relevant to the position you seek. A web portfolio is also a way for people to contact you and share your work with colleagues electronically.                      
• Why is a portfolio important? The field of design is competitive and you need to show your best work. A portfolio not only reflects your design skills, it also reflects your attitude. Your craft is your attitude made visible. You can be certain that a portfolio with good work, but lousy craft will be ignored, and vice versa. Your writing is part of your craft.

What goes in a portfolio? 

• Your best 10 to 15 works.
• Only HIGH quality images of your work (photos or exports from software)
• Mostly graphic design work, but you can include other relevant work under its own tab; ie. photos, drawings, essays, etc. Photo/ video and art skills are good to show because they are relevant skills that could lead to photo/video related work or illustration.
• A PDF of your resume that follows the internship program’s required content guidelines, and that has good typography. (for website)
• A contact email that is professional, ie. robertsmith@gmail.com,not potatocrazy@gmail.com.
• A short paragraph/biography. Who are you, what are you interested in about design, why do you enjoy design, what kind of design would be ideal for you, and what kind of relevant experiences might you have you had? (for website)
• Write a short caption that explains each work (for website)    

Specific things from graphic design/COMM Media that you should consider. Choose the best work and spend the time to clean it up. These are loose suggestions so feel free to use your best judgement.

• Intro graphic design; a monogram, composition studies, book covers, posters
• Typography; examples of page layout, hierarchy, type categories/specimen sheets
• Web design; example of web prototyping (the app project), knowledge of HTML and CSS
• Intermediate graphic design; example of a visual identity, layout, ad, animation
• Advanced graphic design; example of corporate identity
• Design Studio and Practice; Personal body of work, work refined from other classes
• Motion Graphics; example of animation (use storyboards for print version)
• Font Design: display sheet of your font
• Color Dynamics: anything
• We are often asked if you can include experiments and other things that are more along the way of visual studies. Absolutely yes! An educated art director will appreciate that you have had formal design foundations so include those things that do not seem like they are “real world”. They are “real world” learning experiences to build your visual literacy.
• Other comm classes: anything you are proud of that fits into the look and mood of your portfolio or career objectives
• Trust your instinct, if you love it, share it, and if you don’t like it, keep it out.

What your general graphic design courses have taught you and what we think are the basic requisite skills you should to demonstrate. Consider these skills and how you might choose content for your portfolio that demonstrates that you have them;

• You demonstrate aesthetic sensitivity toward form, color, type, and its relationship to content.
• You can organize complexity and create visual hierarchy
• You know how to use grids and layout pages
• You can design multiple page layouts
• You understand visual systems/corporate identity
• You know the basics of HTML & CSS
• You know what usability/user experience/UX is
• You have some work that is at the level of studio practice— something that looks like it was made in an agency—class work can qualify for this.
• Your presentation is well crafted (spelling counts too)
• You understand the design process (show examples of a design evolution—for example, a logo that you made variations of...— even pencil sketches)
• You can teach yourself new things. This is probably the most important thing you can take away from an education—that you understand how you learn and know how to teach yourself. Designers need to keep learning. This will show that you are motivated, will be able to grow in new positions, and that you are independent. Things like a certificate from an online course (like a software training) or even simply a work sample that you can explain in a way that reveals you learned a new tool.

A good portfolio website example (https://www.cynthiaschilling.com/)

Mockups        

You can present your work in mockups to increase the “realness” of them. There are millions of mockup websites. Graphicburger is a good option. 

How to make a web portfolio

• Use a CMS/prebuilt platform such as: 
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • Squarespace
  • Adobe Portfolio
  • Also consider Behance
• Code your own and buy yourself server space and a domain name. Upload the site via an FTP software like https:// cyberduck.io/                    
• Motion graphic work can be first uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and then added via sharing or embed links to any of the platforms above.                    
• Your website needs a sharable link so you can email it to folks. All website options above have extensive tutorials and instructions. Follow the instructions provided on these platforms.

How to make a print portfolio

• Buy a case. There are some nice ones on Amazon. 
• Print your work on nice paper, at high quality, trim it, and put it in the portfolio case pages
• Put the best work at the start and at the end. Start and end with your best!
• If something is dimensional and cannot fit, carry it in a nice box.

The presentation

• Practice talking through your presentation with designer friends and non-designer friends
• Talk about the design challenges with each work and how you overcame them
• Dress like you care about your appearance
• Your demeanor is also your attitude made visual
• Own your work and have confidence

Further Readings

• Interview tips
• After school special
• Design Journey and Career

Consider joining

• AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts)
• GAG (Graphic Artist Guild)
   

What is the Purpose of a Resume?

A resume is often an organization's first impression of you. It should be used as a marketing tool to tell your story by presenting your skills, knowledge, and experience to a potential employer/internship placement in a concise, easy-to-read way. The average employer spends only 15 to 20 seconds reviewing a resume. Your résumé should be targeted at a specific organization/position, error-free and easy for a hiring manager to quickly skim and get an idea of your qualifications for a position. 

There is not one perfect layout for your résumé, but your résumé should be:

• Organized logically
• Easy to understand
• Consistent (spacing, formatting, font, use of bold/italics, etc.)
• One page limit
• Avoid:
• Pronouns: Personal or possessive pronouns (I, my, me, we, our) are not necessary
• Typos and spelling mistakes: Spellcheck does not always catch typos. Have at least 2 other people proofread your résumé.
• Premade templates, these can be rigid and difficult to alter to your specific needs.
• Excessive graphic design (unusual fonts, color, bullet points, text boxes, etc.)

For your resume there is a more rigid format you must follow to qualify for placement. Use the information below and samples in the concentration specific tabs to craft your resume.

Essential Information

• Name and Contact Information: First and Last name, address, email, phone
• Objective: be explicit about areas of interest
• Education: Degree(s), GPA, significant awards, graduation date
• Academic Profile: Include relevant classes that showcase key skills.
• Technical Skills: Include software, platforms, and field specific relevant skills
• Job/Internship Experience: Organization,  positions title, and date only (more in depth description for LPN to BSN students)

Optional Information

• Academic and Co-curricular Activities
• Awards/Accomplishments
• Volunteer Experience: If you have relevant volunteer experience, include it! unrelated  volunteer experience is optional
• Leadership Roles

Student Name
City, State, Phone Number, FSU Email Address, Website or Portfolio Link

OBJECTIVE

Obtain an internship that allows me to immerse myself in the field of professional post-production and prepares me for a career as an editor.

EDUCATION

Fitchburg State University                         Expected Graduation May 2025
B.S. in Communications Media                 Overall GPA: 3.35
Concentration in Film/Video                      Film/Video GPA: 3.92

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Editing
• Cinematography
• Compositing and Visual Effects
• Post-Production 
• Essentials
• Intro to Graphic Design
• Production Design
• Advanced Cinema Production
• Lighting

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

• AVID Media Composer
• Microsoft Excel
• ARRI Tungsten Lights
• Davinci Resolve  
• Blender Skeleton Animation
• Kino-Flo Fluorescent Lights
• Adobe Creative Suite,        
• Unreal Engine Realtime Compositing
• LitePanel LED Lights
• BlackMagic Design (BMPCC 6K)  
• Matthews Dolly and Support Gear
• Ursa Mini Cameras

PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE

• "Trip of a Lifetime”: Editor, Writer, Assistant Camera Operator, Dolly Operator
• “Roller Kingdom”: Head of Post Production, Editor, Grip, Extra
• “We’re Scared” (In Production): Writer, Director, Director of Photography, Editor

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Freelance Filmmaker and Video Editor, Motif Magazine, Pawtucket, Rhode Island  August 2024 to Present
• Equipment Rental Supervisor, Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, Massachusetts  March 2024 to December 2024

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

• Dean’s List  Fall 2022 to Present
• Independent Film Festival Boston Student Showcase   Spring 2024  

Student Name
City, State, Phone Number, FSU Email Address, Website or Portfolio Link

OBJECTIVE

To obtain an internship in marketing and graphic design that will allow me to utilize the skills and knowledge I gained at Fitchburg State and earn hands-on experience.  

EDUCATION

Fitchburg State University               Expected Graduation May 2024
B.S. in Communications Media       Major GPA: 3.91 
Concentration in Graphic Design    

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Introduction to Graphic Design
• Intermediate Graphic Design
• Advanced Graphic Design
• Typography
• Web Design       
• Document Design
• Writing for Advertising
• Marketing Communication

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop. Microsoft Office Suite. Social Media Account Management.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Freelance Graphic Designer, Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, MA, April 2021 to May 2021
  Attended client meetings and shared concepts with FAM’s Development Director to create an identity for their 2021 annual Night at the Museum Gala.
• Game Design Lab Supervisor, Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA, September 2021 to April 2022
  Ensured students followed COVID-19 protocol while being in the game labs. Solved technical problems for students, including Game Development software.  

AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS (Fitchburg State University)

• Graphic Design Exhibitor at Visions - 2022
• Presidential Scholarship - 2022, 2023                            
• Global Ambassador’s Scholarship - 2021 

OBJECTIVE

To obtain an internship in the field of communications, specifically focusing on studio and advertising photography in order to utilize my skills and gain more experience.

EDUCATION

Fitchburg State University               Expected Graduation May 2024
B.S. in Communications Media       Major GPA: 3.7 
Concentration in Photography

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Introduction to Photography
• Public Relations
• Image and Design
• Studio Photography
• Project Design
• Marketing Communication
• Photography Seminar
• Writing for Advertising
• Advanced Photo Editing

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Freelance Photographer, May 2023 to June 2025  
  Brainstorm and perform the client’s requests, organize meetings, give direction, cull and edit, transport finished products to client. 
• Public Relations Volunteer at The Sterling Animal Shelter, June 2024 to May 2025  
  Worked closely with shelter staff to create advertisement materials and photographed animals for their adoption page. 

TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE 

• Cameras: Digital and film systems: Canon, Nikon, Hasselblad. 
• Software: Microsoft Office, Adobe (Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere).
• Equipment: Speedotron (speed, pack, and mono lights), Sekonic (light meters).

EXHIBITIONS

• Visions Student Showcase, Fitchburg State University
• Hue Student Showcase, LexArt 

Student Name
City, State, Phone Number, FSU Email Address, Website or Portfolio Link

OBJECTIVE

To obtain an internship in order to use and improve my skills and prepare for a career in the Game Design Industry focusing on general Game Design and Level Design.

EDUCATION

Fitchburg State University   B.S. in Game Design   Expected Graduation May 2024

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Advanced Game Workshop
• 3D Game Development
• Game Level Design
• Game Narrative Design
• Game Design Workshop
• Fiction Writing
• Media Conscious Storytelling
• Music Theory
• Serious Games
• Intro to Game Art
• Elements of Game Design

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Unity
• Unreal 4
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Agile
• Maya
• Piskel
• Github
• Scrum
• Reaper
• Microsoft Suite

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Playtester at Terrible Posture Games, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, June 2021 to Present  
  Playtested for approximately 30 hours for VR game Mothergunship: Forge. Submitted bug reports containing screenshots, instructions to replicate, and some plausible causes.
• Cashier and Cook at Pizza Shop, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, December 2019 to January 2021 Corresponded directly with customers to meet their individual needs. Trained new employees on company protocols and policies. Facilitated cash and credit card transactions. Performed inventory checks.  

AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS (Fitchburg State University)  

• Game Design Student of the Year - 2023                          
• Clack McDermith Service Award - 2020 

Student Name
City, State, Phone Number, FSU Email Address, Website or Portfolio Link

OBJECTIVE

To obtain an internship within the Marketing Communication field so I can use my knowledge and skills to gain more experience in the field. 

EDUCATION

Fitchburg State University               May 2025
B.S. in Communications Media       Major GPA: 3.91 
Concentration in Public Relations, Social Media, and Advertising Production

ACADEMIC PROFILE

• Marketing Communication
• Introduction to Graphic Design
• Introduction to Social Media
• Color Dynamics
• Intro to Professional Communication
• Communication Law and Ethics
• Interactive Media Project Design
• Writing for Advertising
• Document Design
• Public Relations
• Social Research Methods: Qualitative
• College Newspaper Production

TECHNICAL KNOWLEGE

Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Super Impose, Canva

SKILLS

Social Media, Layout Design, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, Poster Design

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Portrait Session Photographer, Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA, May 2020 to Present
• Public Relations Volunteer, Sterling Animal Shelter, Sterling, MA, June 2021 to Present                     

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

• Dean’s List - 2019, 2020, 2021
• Member of the American Advertising Federation
• Worked on AAF National Student Advertising Competition for Tinder - 2021
• Layout Editor for Fitchburg State Newspaper The Point - 2021
• Visions Student Honors Exhibition - 2024

• Customize your Letter - Don’t just send a generic letter with all your applications where you change the name of the company and position only. Employers can spot a form letter a mile away. This sends the message that you do not really care about the position.
• Contact Information - Include the name, correct spelling, and job title of the person to whom you are writing. If it is not stated in the position or you are unable to identify the receiver, address the letter to “Hiring Manager.”
• Do Your Research - Know something about the company’s products, services, mission, or values and reference this in your letter.
• Keep Your Audience in Mind - Focus on what YOU can do for the EMPLOYER, not what you will get out of the experience. Describe how your skills and experience make you a great candidate for this position.
• Use Specific Examples - Don’t just state that you have experience, back it up with evidence! Don’t just repeat what you have on your resume, but rather elaborate on two or three key skills/experiences and describe how they directly relate to the position you are applying to. 
• Be brief! - Cover letters should be limited to one page, 3 to 4 paragraphs at most.
• Align with the Job Description - Read the job description carefully. What is the employer looking for? Are they seeking someone with resilience? Someone who can work in a fast-paced environment? Provide an example of a time when you developed and demonstrated those traits.
• Write Well and Proofread - Employers scrutinize the letter for proper grammar, spelling, style, and coherence of thought. If your cover letter is sloppy, they will assume this is a sample of how you work.
• Do not overthink this! - It’s easy to get really in your head about professional language and trying to sound fancy that you use words that are not reflective of who you really are. You want to be professional and polished, but not sound like a robot.
   

Your Name
Your Street Address
City, State Zip Code
Date
 
Contact Name
Title and/or Department Organization
Name, Street Address, City, State, Zip Code
 
Dear Mr.______, Ms. _______, or Hiring Manager,
 
Opening Paragraph
In your first paragraph, attract the reader’s attention. State your reasons for writing, indicating the position or type of work for which you are applying. State why you are interested in the position/employer/the field. Focus on something that sets this organization apart from similar employers and why that appeals to you. State why you are qualified for the role, i.e., what you can do for them.
 
Second Paragraph
Explain your background for the employer. Elaborate on which of your experiences have prepared you to meet the specific requirements of the position. Don’t just tell them about your skills: show them with specific examples. This could include how your academic background makes you a qualified candidate, clinical rotations, work or volunteer experience. Do not reiterate all the information that is on your resume, but rather focus on a few key points that highlight how your skills and experience match up with what the employer is looking for.
 
Closing Paragraph
Indicate your desire for a meeting or interview and how they can contact you to follow up. Include your contact information (email and phone number). Thank the reader for their consideration and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and company
 
Sincerely,
Your Name