During the Fall 2020 semester, we will offer internship positions at the following campuses:
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Pennsylvania State University. To apply, your campus’ student employment portal or contact us at digital.islam@umich.edu. Fall 2020 applications are due August 31, 2020.
Internship Format
Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum (DISC) Social Media and Communications internships are paid positions which provide an opportunity for students at participating Big Ten institutions to gain valuable experience related to their intended career path or academic major. Interns have the opportunity to apply their college learning to the promotion and development of the DISC program, build their resume, and develop skills related to their academic and career interests.
DISC Social Media and Communications internships require an average commitment of 2-3 hours per week during either the Fall or Winter/Spring semester. Students will receive a $500 stipend upon the completion of the internship. Interns will be remotely supervised by the DISC Project Coordinator and are responsible for promoting DISC (courses, featured lectures, related events, etc.) as well as producing content for and developing DISC’s social media platforms.
Interns will be required to complete an online training course. The aims of the training course are 1) to provide interns with necessary background information on distance education and the DISC program to produce high quality content and effectively promote the initiative; 2) to outline social media and communications best practices, and 3) to help interns apply their internship experience to their chosen field of study and/or career. Interns will also be required to maintain a work plan, which will be developed in collaboration with the DISC Program Coordinator, on a monthly basis.
Internship Expectations and Objectives
- Serve as DISC ambassador at your campus to increase awareness of the DISC program and the DISC student learning experience.
- Collaborate effectively with partner campuses, faculty liaisons, and instructional staff to promote DISC courses, events, and other projects.
- Promote the DISC program via social media and other communications platforms by monitoring, creating, and advertising content on the DISC blog and Facebook page to help increase enrollments and awareness of the DISC program.
- Attend DISC courses to observe learning environment and speak with students about the DISC program with particular focus on student learning experiences to write content concerning the DISC classroom experience.
- Increase campus engagement by reaching out to student groups, academic departments, and other groups (e.x. MSA, Felicity Foundation, Egyptian Student Association, SAFE, Near Eastern Studies, Religious Studies, History, Anthropology, International Studies, etc.).
Required Skills and Qualifications
Applicant is an Undergraduate or Graduate student at eligible partner campus with an interest in world religions and/or international studies. They should have an interest in social media and marketing/communications and the ability to be culturally sensitive. The desired applicant has an independent work ethic, exemplary organizational and planning skills, good judgement of appropriate social media use, an ability to deal with complexity, and manage multiple projects at once. Additionally, they should be proactive, reliable, and able to work effectively within a team.
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
Applicant has previously taken a DISC course and/or is enrolled in an upcoming course. Strong interest in Islam and the Muslim world preferred. Background in communications or media editing is preferred.
