A new School of Communication’s internship program may make students’ dreams of working and living in Los Angeles a reality for this upcoming summer.
The School of Communications and School of Business are working together to create a program where Quinnipiac students can study and intern in Los Angeles for a semester or summer.
Although nothing has been cleared yet, Assistant Dean for Career Development Joseph Catrino says that he hopes the program will be able to start this summer.
This was simply an idea for a great deal of time, but Catrino says “significant strides” have been made to get the program started.
Dean Catrino, Dean of the School of Communications Lee Kamlet, Dean of the School of Business Matthew O’Connor and Director of Employer Relations Grace Peiffer spent four days in Los Angeles this past July speaking with prospective companies and touring potential housing. In addition, they have hired a satellite person based out of LA.
According to Catrino this person will serve as a local contact for students to assist them with internships and classes.
Essentially this program will be similar to a study abroad program, says Catrino, but rather than traveling overseas, students will stay in the country and continue to be full-time students.
Catrino hopes that students will be able to complete six-credit internships while taking a few classes either online through the university, or with a university nearby.
Quinnipiac will assist students in finding safe housing in the city. Catrino has looked at housing in LA, Burbank and Marina del Rey.
A key aspect to this program is that it will be available to a variety of students.
“I think that the thought is that this program is going to be film centric, but it’s really not,” Catrino said. “I think it opens the door for students to get into whatever industry they are interested in working in on the west coast.”
Sophomore business student Andrew Brucella said that if he does not study abroad, this would be a program that would allow him to have a similar experience.
“I think that Los Angeles provides a lot of opportunity and experience,” he said.
Catrino and his team have been in contact with a wide range of companies, including companies with former Quinnipiac students.
“We actually have a very strong alumni base out in Los Angeles and they have all put themselves out there for help and assistance,” Catrino said.
The School of Communications and Business are excited about the opportunities that this program will provide for students.
“I think our hopes are just to get students out there, to get them connected with really good internship opportunities and to let them experience a different culture,” Catrino said. “I think it’s all about subjecting students to different areas and taking different courses.”
Students showed high interest when the School of Communications surveyed students in the spring 2012, Catrino said.
“I’m really surprised to hear that there is progress and that it is moving quickly,” sophomore film, video and interactive media major Jennifer Porkka said. “I think that the program is really unique. I haven’t heard about a program like it before. LA is really central for me because that is where I will most likely end up. Getting this head start for me as a college student is an opportunity that many don’t have unless you are already out there for college.”
