GSC 300 PRESENTATION ONLINE RESEARCH DRAFT (JUNE 2017)

RELEVANT TO ALL DEPARTMENTS

Internships
● Locally, students can find internship opportunities at the following websites:
○ internships.com/las-vegas-nv
■ On internship.com, I found:
○ indeed.com/q-Intern-l-Las-Vegas,-NV-jobs.html
○ wayup.com/s/internships/_/las-vegas-nv/
○ linkedin.com/jobs/summer-internship-jobs-las-vegas-nv/
○ UNLV Career Link: https://unlv-csm.symplicity.com/students/?
signin_tab=0&PHPSESSID=1eb950345f2cd7e0f822a9d992175564
○ Search engines for internships always change; keep updated and review each
year.
● According to Forbes (2013), below are the top ten online websites to find an internship
(forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2015/01/30/the-10-best-websites-for-finding-an-
internship/2/#5162f7c74329):
○ LinkedIn
○ Glassdoor
○ Google Search
○ Institution’s job listings/online network
○ Internships.com
○ Internmatch.com
○ YouTern.com
○ Idealists
○ Global Experiences
○ CoolWorks
● General Precautions When Searching for a Job or Internship (Kevin’s tips)
○ Follow the age old saying: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
○ Don’t ever pay money to interview for a position, pay a job application fee, or to
purchase supplies that an employer says is needed for the position
○ Ensure that any interviews that are offered to you are conducted at a reputable
location
■ A simple search for the location online can sometimes help you discern its
legitimacy
○ Review any paperwork or contracts you received before signing on the dotted
line
■ Sometimes something an employer tells you in an interview may not be
the reality
○ Don’t ever process any checks or involve your bank account with a potential
employer as a qualification for any position
○ Research information about your potential employer with the Better Business
Bureau
○ Be wary of commission-only paid internships or positions - though these
positions might be reputable, the pay rate you were told you would receive during
an interview may not be realistic
 ○ Ensure that there is a position contract that is signed if you are being paid. Don’t
assume that an employer will pay just because it was negotiated. Also review
your internship agreement with your employer.
○ Be wary if a potential employer states how “amazing” you are before even
interviewing you
● In some cases, you can negotiate your internship salary. Learn more about how you can
do this effectively: http://heatherhuhman.com/negotiate-internship-salary/
● Check out the UNLV Career Center for more tips about internships and employment:
https://www.unlv.edu/hirearebel/jobs-internships
● The GUA Advising Center website lists regular internship employers in Las Vegas that
are related to your degree pursuits. It also lists the internship coordinators you should
contact depending on your degree: unlv.edu/urbanaffairs/advising/resources/internships
● According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, among the class of
2014 graduates who received job offers, only 38.6% did not have any internship
experience. Read more about this and other statistics at:
http://career.sa.ucsb.edu/files/docs/handouts/2014-student-survey.pdf
● UNLV data regarding internships
● Internships.com conducted a survey about what employers are looking for in recent
college graduates in 2012. Read about it at:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/12/06/internships-may-be-the-easiest-
way-to-a-job-in-2013/2/#4da920c12781
Graduate School
● Learn more about graduate school at UNLV:
https://www.unlv.edu/graduatecollege/helpful-info
○ There are four steps students should take if they are interested in attending
graduate school at UNLV.
■ There’s a lot of different types of graduate entrance exams. Most
graduate-level degree programs require specific test scores to determine
eligibility into their program. Check with the department in which you are
interested in applying first to determine which tests you’ll need to take and
submit. Below are four of the most common tests in the United States:
○ LSAT (Law School Admissions Test), insert score ranges
○ MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
○ GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
○ GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
● Learn more about graduate school at UNLV via the Graduate School Fair hosted by
UNLV Career Services (Sept. 28, 2017): https://www.unlv.edu/event/graduate-
professional-school-fair
● Is graduate school right for you? See the table below (adapted from UC-Berkeley’s
Career Center):

Reason Help Me Decide

I want to go to graduate school, but I don't Clarify your goals first by talking to a Career
know what for. Counselor.
I want a higher salary. Review salary information to see how a
graduate degree would affect your salary.

I'm stalling because I'm not ready to make a Make an appointment to talk with a Career
career decision. Counselor.

It seems like all my classmates are applying The decision to attend graduate school is
to graduate school. yours alone; first explore careers that use
your undergraduate degree.

I don't feel like I have any career options - Be sure that your job search and/or career
graduate school seems to be my only option. research has been comprehensive.

I don't feel ready to enter the work world. Meet with a Career Counselor.

● According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employee’s with a master’s degree
earn $365 more per week than their bachelor’s degree counterparts in 2016. Learn more
about this research at: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
○ Learn about other research studies about the relationship between earnings and
degree attainment
■ http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/02/28/for-millennials-a-
bachelors-degree-continues-to-pay-off-but-a-masters-earns-even-more/
■ https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/should-i-get-a-masters-
degree.htm
○ Learn about graduate degrees and degree fields trends through the National
Center for Education Statistics:
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_ctb.asp
Networking & Career
● Join the Greenspun Urban Affairs Facebook group to stay connected with your peers
throughout the years:facebook.com/groups/312531285745442
○ Also follow their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UNLVGreenspun/
● Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz is an excellent book that discusses the
power of relationship-building and networking in the United States
○ This books specifically examines the concept of helping others as the intended
goal of networking. Don’t forget to bring a business card!
● Below are Forbes top six things to be aware of when networking
(forbes.com/sites/drewhendricks/2014/08/21/6-ways-to-network-more-
effectively/#6de53fe1648e):
○ Networking is a two-way street
○ Evaluate Your Contacts
○ Meet and mingle
○ Always get a second date
○ Spend time social networking
○ Nurture and maintain strategic relationships
 ● A 2016 joint study with LinkedIn finds that 85% of jobs are attributed to networking. Read
more about the importance of networking at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-survey-
reveals-85-all-jobs-filled-via-networking-lou-adler
● Average salaries for bachelor degrees based on industry:
http://time.com/money/collection-post/3829776/heres-what-the-average-grad-makes-
right-out-of-college/
● Learn about the various registered student organizations at UNLV, including some
degree specific organizations, by visiting: https://unlv.collegiatelink.net/organizations

COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Internship
● Learn more about the required internship for communication studies students at:
unlv.edu/communicationstudies/internship-program/
○ To qualify for an internship, you:
○ Must have already completed 12 upper-division courses
○ Must have at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA
○ May complete up to six credits of internship, but only three count as a
requirement for your degree
○ Must register your internships with UNLV’s career link
● Your internship coordinator is: Tara McManus: 702-895-0025
● Some popular local employers that hire Communication Studies student interns are:
○ Clark County Water Reclamation District
○ The Public Education Foundation
○ Conservation District of Southern Nevada
○ Hillary for President
○ Human Resource Solutions
○ Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada
○ Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
○ Richardson for President
○ Senator Harry Reid's Office (Washington, D.C.)
● Graduate School
● UNLV has a Master’s of Arts in Communication Studies program. Learn more about the
program, its requirements, and how to apply at: https://www.unlv.edu/degree/ma-
communication-studies
○ Minimum of 36 graduate credits
○ There is also an eight-hour final examination (or professional research paper)
and oral defense
○ Communication study graduates can enter various fields for an advance degree.
Options range from law, technology, business, etc..
Career & Networking
○ The 2017 Greenspun Urban Affairs alumni of the year is Sara Leoni, who
graduated with a B.S. in Communication Studies from UNLV in 1996. Read more
about her accomplishments: unlv.edu/news/article/rebelstakechances-when-they-
dream-big
○ Connect with the following communication-related student organizations:
■ National Communication Association Student Club (NCASC)
■ Lambda Pi Eta (LPH): Communication Studies Honor Society
■ UNLV Debate Team
 ○ Connect with the following communication-related professional organizations:
■ American Forensic Association
■ Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication
■ Broadcast Education Association
■ Far West Popular Culture Association
■ International Association for Relationship Research
■ International Communication Association
■ National Communication Association
■ Rhetoric Society of America
■ Western States Communication Association
● Follow the Department of Communication Studies on Facebook for updates about variou
events, programs, and networking opportunities:
https://www.facebook.com/UNLVCommunicationStudies/
● The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has information about the Media and
Communication industry for new graduates of the program:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes273099.htm
● Tops jobs for graduates with a communication degrees (please note that these are not
entry-level jobs, but more so that jobs that communcation degree holders could receive if
they continue within their industry): http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-
report/common-jobs-for-majors/communication
● Information about communication degree graduates and salaries (not verified as trusted
source - will double check): http://www.journalismdegree.com/communications-grads-
starting-salary/
○ Important note from this website: According to the September 2014 NACE Salary
Report, college graduates who specifically majored in communications (as
opposed to another major that falls under the communications broad category)
have an average starting salary of $52,300 this year (which represents a 17.5%
jump)
● There are many industries that employ communication graduates. These include, but are
not limited to:
○ Careers in communications
○ Careers in business
○ Careers in human resources
○ Careers in marketing, public relations, and advertising
○ Careers in media
○ Careers in digital media
○ Careers in law
○ Careers in education
○ And much more. Learn about specific careers at:
https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/what-can-you-do-
communications-degree
● UNLV notable alumni with a communications degree:
○ Kenny Mayne, ESPN broadcaster, graduated as part of UNLV's class of 1982
with a bachelor's degree in communications.
○ Anthony E. Zuiker, creator and executive producer of the CSI franchise (91 BA
Communication Studies)