Art Internships

1. Work Hours: You need to complete at least 100 hours for each credit hour you register for.
2. Minimum Length: Internships must last at least 7 weeks in a row.
3. Flexible Start/End: Your internship can begin or end before or after the semester, if needed.
4. After Graduation: You can do your internship in the semester right after your last classes, but not later—unless you re-enroll full-time at BYU–Idaho.
5. Stay on Track: Try to finish your internship in about 14 weeks to stay aligned with the school’s 3-track schedule. Taking more than one semester off may delay graduation.

1. Internships may be paid or unpaid.
2. You must work in your field of study. For example, illustrators must do illustration work; graphic designers must do design work.
3. Certain jobs are not approved. Roles like copy shop or janitorial work do not count as valid internships.
4. Remote internships are temporarily allowed. This is only during COVID-19 restrictions. Normally, internships must be on-site.
5. You must be supervised by a qualified professional. Your supervisor must have a bachelor’s degree in your field and 5+ years of experience. Freelance jobs or supervision by non-art professionals do not qualify. Exceptions require faculty approval.

BYU Idaho maintains a webpage dedicated to internships. You can find helpful tips and resources here:

Find An Internship

Students should consult multiple faculty members in their emphasis area for leads and suggestions on possible internships. It’s also smart to pick a city or region as your starting point based on housing and other needs.

For Graphic Design internships, visit AIGA.org for listings.

Other sites graphic designers can explore include:
AIGA Design Jobs, Coroflot, Authentic Jobs, Behance, Design Observer, and Krop.

It is recommended that students from all emphasis areas contact one or more faculty members in their area for help finding internship opportunities.

Faculty Contacts by Emphasis Area:

• 3D:
  Kody Keller – kellerw@byui.edu
  Hyrum Benson – bensonh@byui.edu
• 2D:
  Carla Jimison – jimisonc@byui.edu
  Shae Warnick – warnicks@byui.edu
  Ryan Muldowney – muldowneyr@byui.edu
  Josh Hobbs – hobbsj@byui.edu
• Art History:
  Sharon Duque – duques@byui.edu
• Photography:
  Brian Atkinson – atkinsonb@byui.edu
  Darren Clark – clarkd@byui.edu
• Illustration:
  Joshua Abegglen – abegglenj@byui.edu
  Mike Laughead – laugheadm@byui.edu
  Wade Huntsman – huntsmanw@byui.edu
• Graphic Design:
  Tim Howe – howet@byui.edu
  Scott Franson – fransons@byui.edu
  Brian Memmott – memmottb@byui.edu
  Shawn Randall – randalls@byui.edu

1. Off-campus internships offer a better experience. Students usually gain more valuable, real-world learning when working off-campus.
2. Internships should teach what you can’t learn on campus. Think about how the experience will help you grow in your career field.
3. Only choose an on-campus internship when absolutely necessary. Valid reasons may include having a spouse on track, pregnancy, or financial challenges.
4. To find an approved on-campus internship: Contact the Academic Discovery Center Internship Office at internships@byui.edu.

1. Contact the Internship Coordinator. Email Bro. Randall before starting your application. Include your internship provider’s name, your supervisor’s name, title, degree, years of experience, and a brief description of your internship duties.
2. Apply online through I‑Plan. Once approved, you’ll be added or authorized to add the Art 498R online internship class.
3. Start the Art 498R course at the beginning of the semester. Read the syllabus and all course requirements carefully. These include keeping a daily blog, updating your resume, requesting a recommendation letter, writing a summary paper, and completing evaluations for both you and your provider.
4. A Master Agreement must be signed by your provider. We will email this agreement to your employer. It must be returned before enrollment is complete.
5. If your course doesn’t appear after the semester starts, check with your provider about the agreement email. If they haven’t received it, email internships@byui.edu to have it resent.

1. Once your internship is approved, you will be enrolled in the online internship course.
2. You must visit the course at the start of the semester your internship takes place.
   (The course becomes available on the first day of classes that semester.)
3. Review and complete all assignments in the course. They are simple and not very time-consuming but must be done on time.
4. You are required to keep a daily blog during the hours you signed up for.
   (For example, 1 credit = 100 hours, 2 credits = 200 hours, etc.)
5. After completing your internship hours, submit all required assignments, such as your summary paper and updated resume, before the semester ends.
6. If you don’t submit required work on time, you will receive a 0 or F grade for the course.
   You may appeal by submitting all missing assignments to Bro. Randall for review.