Graduation Year
2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Granting Department
Mass Communications
Major Professor
Scott Liu, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Scott Liu, Ph.D
Committee Member
Kelly Werder, Ph.D.
Keywords
Advertising, Experiential learning, Internship, Public Relations
Abstract
This qualitative content analysis examines the nature of experience of public relations and advertising interns. Three decades of scholarly inquiry into the internship experience has provided little insight into the actual experience of the interns themselves. Yet what is learned directly from their individual experience can provide both educators and professionals valuable insight for enhancing the learning process. The following study is a qualitative content analysis of journals and focus groups of undergraduates enrolled in public relations and advertising internships/practicums. The interns' experience follows four themes: (1) the perception of importance; (2) perceived learning benefits; (3) influence of supervisors; and (4) the quest for meaningful work. Through these themes, the experiential learning cycle is evidenced as students reflect, conceptualize, and experiment through their experience.
Scholar Commons Citation
Gugerty, Catherine Ann, "Internships in Public Relations and Advertising: The Nature of the Experience From the Student's Perspective" (2011). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/3133
