How a Writing Internship Can Help Start Your Career

Do you have a passion for writing and want to make your passion your purpose with a satisfying career? The best way to start your career and ensure a smooth transition from being a full-time student to a full-time writer is by completing a writing internship and getting actively involved in a student professional association while in college. These acts of service may pay dividends as a return on investment in your career.  

In This Article: 

• Importance of Content Writing Internships for College Students 
• Internships for Writers: Tips for Your Writing Career 
• Get Started on Your Writing Career at GCU 

Importance of Content Writing Internships for College Students 

Grand Canyon University offers numerous programs and majors for students to acquire workforce skills in and outside of the classroom. Earning a degree demonstrates that you can establish and accomplish a goal. However, you may know someone who earned a college degree and never worked a day in their major field of study.

Completing content writing internships and being actively involved in student professional associations demonstrate to employers that you are dedicated to your chosen field.  

Internships for Writers: Tips for Your Writing Career  

Read the tips below to learn how to merge your passion and purpose while pursuing a writing career.

Identify Your Passion 

It is important to find out what drives you. To discover what you are passionate and motivated by, consider the following: 

• Exploring your hobbies. Do you write a blog, plan events or produce a podcast?  What do you like to do in your spare time?  
• Completing some of GCU’s professional writing classes to explore your interests. Courses include public relations writing, creative writing, grant writing and technical writing. 
• Taking elective courses that pique your curiosity, such as art, dance, photography, acting and choir. Apply your professional writing skills to your assignments as well as newsletters, fliers, blog posts and more to create samples for your portfolio. 
• Meeting with your GCU student success counselor and completing a career assessment questionnaire to receive career recommendations based on your interests. 

Participate in Extracurricular Activities 

Extracurricular activities may help you in the following ways: 

• Your interests can connect you to other like-minded individuals who may be able to hire you for a job. 
• Most employers seek well-rounded applicants. While a high grade point average is admirable, what else did you do while you were in college? Did you play sports, act in plays, sing in choir or play a musical instrument?  

Join a Student Professional Development Club 

Professional development clubs and associations can help you connect and network with professionals in your field of interest. Consider the following: 

• To successfully network, it is important to develop your soft skills. Regardless of your major or personality type, strengthening conversational skills can open several doors for you. The best recommendation for networking is to connect with individuals by finding out what you have in common. Are you both from the same state or do you have similar hobbies?  
• Do research to identify professional associations for your specific writing discipline. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) has a Write Here Write Now Club for all professional writing students. 
• GCU students interested in public relations writing careers can now join GCU’s newly established Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter, which is part of a national professional development association offering numerous benefits for a path to PR/Communications careers. 

Get an Internship  

An internship can give you more practical experience within the workforce. Here's how GCU students can get the most out of their internships:

• Be proactive, research websites for companies that you may have an interest in and contact human resources and/or hiring managers to request an informational interview. During these interviews, you can learn more about the company, professional writing job requirements and expectations for new employees. 
• GCU’s Career Services is located on campus and provides students with access to several resources, including employers offering internships for hands-on learning experiences.  
• GCU’s grant writing office offers internships for students to assist with writing grants for the university. Students who complete a grant while in school may be eligible to earn a Grant Writing Certificate upon completion of their internship to add to their list of accomplishments.  
• Complete at least two, preferably three, internships to identify your likes and dislikes. Completing multiple internships can help you direct your focus on your passions and find the right career in the right field for you.  
• Take your internship seriously. As a professional in training, show up ready to work, complete all tasks on time, ask clarifying questions about the work to show interest and ensure that you are meeting expectations. Proofread and edit all work before submitting it to your supervisor. Remember, your internship can lead to a full-time job offer upon graduation. 

Get Started on Your Writing Career at GCU 

GCU’s newly established PRSSA chapter is a part of the national Public Relations Student Society of America, the foremost professional development organization for students interested in the public relations field. Since the organization was established in 1967, it has helped hundreds of thousands of students gain knowledge and skills to prepare for careers as professional writers. 

GCU PRSSA membership connects students to scholarships, internships, training and networking with industry leaders to create a pathway from college student to professional practitioner. Upon graduation, student members will be able to apply for a Public Relations Society of America professional membership. GCU’s PRSSA chapter joins the ranks of other prestigious universities across the nation, including local chapters at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona.  

Learn more about GCU’s selection of writing and communication degrees, including our professional writing major.