In addition to the formal internship experiences available to you through the Department
of Communication & Rhetorical Studies’ internship office, you can gain valuable communication
experience through campus organizations and activities, especially those directly
associated with the field of communication.
Portfolio pieces are generated by your involvement in official internships, as well
as student organizations and activities, volunteer professional experiences and classroom
campaigns.
Clubs & Organizations
American Advertising Federation (AAF) is the oldest national advertising trade association
in the United States, and the only association representing all facets of the advertising,
marketing communication industry. The Duquesne Ad Club attracts students of all majors
interested in advertising, marketing and/or public relations to do hands-on work for
on- and off-campus clients with a variety of promotional needs. The club also invites
speakers from industry and arranges tours of Pittsburgh advertising and marketing
communication firms.
The Duquesne Debating Society is a student organization housed within the Department of Communication & Rhetorical
Studies. The society's advisor (Sarah M. DeIuliis, Teaching Assistant Professor),
assistant coaches and volunteer coaches and student leadership coordinate a number
of activities open to all Duquesne undergraduate students.
We offer multiple opportunities for participation:
On- and off-campus public debates with local, regional, national and international
participants:For the past four years, we have hosted iDebate Rwanda (a group of students and coaches
based in Rwanda and traveling the U.S.), the CIDD British Tour (composed of two debaters
from Great Britain) and the CIDD Japanese tour, planning and implementing three on-campus
and several off campus events.
Competitive Debate Tournaments (NEDA and other formats):Duquesne is currently a member of the National Educational Debate Association (NEDA),
an organization that hosts a number of competitive tournaments (2 vs. 2 format). We
travel to between five and six of these tournaments annually. Students also attend
public debate tournaments that provide opportunities for international travel and/or
monetary awards to the top competitors and/or their institutions. The society covers
all transportation, room and food costs associated with participation on the team.
We welcome students at every level of debate experience (from none to extensive) and
are especially excited to increase the involvement of communication majors in our
activities. The department offers a debate course for those interested in intellectual
and/or practical skills development related to debate and the Catholic intellectual
tradition. We do not expect members to participate in all of the events we host, and
the debate course is not a requirement for participation. You can choose your level
of participation in collaboration with the coaching staff.
IABC is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational
effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves members
in more than 70 countries for networking, career development and personal growth.
The Duquesne University IABC invites communication & rhetorical studies majors to
explore career opportunities and other professional development skills, help area
nonprofit organizations with communication needs and conduct research projects on
emerging issues in IMC and corporate communication.
PRSSA is a network of more than 11,000 college students interested in public relations
and communication. The student branch of PRSA links students with resources and people
in order to enhance education, broaden networks and launch careers. Connected with
the Pittsburgh PRSA chapter, the Duquesne University PRSSA will help you gain practical
experience in public relations through case studies, agency tours and special events.
Undergraduate Research & Development
The Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies is home to a communication research
and development firm dedicated to for-profit and not-for-profit, client-centered communication
work in integrated marketing, corporate and intercultural communication.
Interested majors are invited to participate in this firm beginning their freshman
year. This work can be engaged as a volunteer opportunity or as a for-credit course
experience.
Internships
From your first semester at Duquesne University, we invite you to "walk the humanities
into the marketplace" by connecting classroom learning with practical experience.
To this end, we encourage you to participate in a minimum of one internship during
your time here.
Through our Internship Office, you have access to professional advisement by a number
of qualified faculty and staff, including the marketplace and internship directors
(the undergraduate directors serve in this capacity), marketplace and internship coordinator
and communication internship assistant.
Our Internship Office is connected to over 100 organizations offering professional
communication experience. We support your professional growth through the ongoing
cultivation of marketplace opportunities related to your major and by providing you
with invaluable resources and consultation in several areas:
Resume building
Interview preparation
Portfolio development
Professional leadership
Internship and career planning
As a complement to our professional services, we provide you with professional guidelines
that shape your for-credit internship experience. These requirements serve to refine
and enhance your professional development, making you an even more competitive candidate
for future employment in your desired career or vocation.
Internship requirements include:
Completion of weekly time reports
Completion of two summary reports
Mid-term employer performance appraisal
Final employer performance appraisal
Completion of a final paper or portfolio project
Some of the organizations with which we have internship relationships are ALCOA, Bayer
Corporation, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, Giant Eagle and Giant Eagle's
Market District, Sargent Electric Company, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Chatham Baroque, the Michael P. Weber
Learning Skills Center of Duquesne University, U.S. and state Senate offices, the
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, MARC USA, Ketchum Public Relations, Brunner
and Mullen.
Recent placements have been at organizations such as:
90.5 WESA Newsroom
Allegheny County Department of Human Services
Duquesne University Office of Alumni Relations
Duquesne University Office of University Advancement
I Made It! Marketing
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Pittsburgh Ballet Theater
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
UPMC
Wigle Whiskey
Lambda Pi Eta
In your junior year, if you have maintained an appropriately high GPA, you will be
invited to join the national communication honor society. LPE members participate
in service activities, invitation-only events and special marketplace opportunities.
