Internship Position Descriptions

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  Communication/Humanities

Department Description:

The WOU Campus Garden provides a place on campus for students, staff, faculty and community members to grow organic produce and learn about organic gardening. The mission of the garden is to “grow good food and community” and educate the campus about the importance of healthy, local, slow food. We offer fresh produce for the WOU Food Pantry and offer gardening workshops for campus clubs, groups, and residence hall communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop and improve interpersonal and public communication skills
• Develop networking and coordination skills
• Be more familiar with organic gardening methods and problem-solving
• Strengthen ability to organize and lead small groups
• Get to play in dirt and watch things grow!

Learning Activities:

• Attend weekly meetings with supervisor
• Research topics related to organic gardening
• Garden, plant, weed and winter
• Develop campus outreach and engagement plan

Required Qualifications: N/A

Preferred Qualifications: N/A

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired:

Open to all students who meet the above qualifications. Students studying Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Health, Education, Communication Studies, and Behavioral Science are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional comments:

We encourage all students, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and international students, to apply for this position. (This position does not require students be eligible for federal work-study)

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  Center for Professional Pathways

Department Description:

Center for Professional Pathways’ mission is to provide access to transformative experiences, education and counseling that advance student career development and benefit society. We are committed to the principles of career development, including the process of learning through experience, more specifically defined as “learning through reflection on doing.” As part of our office, we offer a variety of opportunities to learn about the various aspects of career development and support in a higher education setting. We are also deeply involved in the support and advancement of experiential learning opportunities across campus.

Learning Objectives:

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and delivery of career development workshops and events for students.
• Support the development and updating of career resources, including handouts, guides, and online content.
• Engage professionally with students, staff, and employer partners in a higher education setting.
• Apply knowledge of career development theories and frameworks to real-world programming contexts.
• Collect and analyze program feedback and participation data to inform continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate effective project management skills by contributing to multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Build familiarity with career services tools and platforms, such as job boards, appointment scheduling systems, and event management software.
• Contribute creative ideas for outreach and engagement strategies to increase student participation in career programming.

Learning Activities: 

Career Programming & Events

• Shadow and assist with the creation and planning of career workshops, panels, and networking events.
• Help coordinate logistics for recruiting events, including employer outreach and room scheduling.
• Co-facilitate at least one workshop or presentation independently by the end of the internship.
• Resource & Content Development
• Update existing office materials to ensure content is current and relevant.
• Assist with creating social media posts or newsletter content to promote career programming.
• Professional Development
• Participate in regular one-on-one check-ins and reflection conversations with their supervisor
• Attend staff meetings and relevant professional development opportunities

Required Qualifications:

• Passion for helping students
• Desire to learn and grow
• Good interpersonal communication skills and a friendly demeanor
• Ability to think creatively
• Self-motivated and willing to take initiative
• Experience with MS Office, Canva, and Google Suites

Preferred Qualifications:

Interest in higher education and student development

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired: Open to all majors

Additional Information: N/A

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  Communication

Learning Objectives:

• Engage in professional communication skills by coordinating with faculty and staff across campus and through weekly meetings with the internship coordinator
• Develop event planning skills
• Plan and implement social media campaigns.

Learning Activities:

• Have a weekly agenda-setting meeting to set weekly goals and report on the previous week’s task
• Get help with any tasks that require additional guidance
• Work to organize events related to career development, using event planning and PR skills
• Run the Communication Department Instagram page, sharing information related to events, upcoming courses, introducing new faculty, celebrating students and faculty accomplishments, etc.

Required Qualifications: 

Coursework or other experience in public relations, event planning, or social media

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience creating content for social media (including for personal accounts). 
• Experience planning or attending academic events.

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired: Communication, Business, Digital Art, or similar

Additional comments: N/A

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:College of Education/Division of Education and Leadership

Department Description:

The Division of Education & Leadership prepares teachers and leaders for classrooms, education and childcare programs, universities, and industry. We are committed to facilitating the learning and development of our students who, in turn, can successfully affect the learning and development of others. We offer individualized advising, career exploration (within the field of education) and student support.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about student support services and techniques, as well as the mechanisms that facilitate our interactions with students and partners
• Learn how to interpret WOU, state, and federal policies in public K-12/higher education and how they impact our students
• Develop professional verbal and written communication skills
• Develop presentation style and professional dispositions

 Learning Activities:

• Review COE/DEL presentations with advisors and provide feedback/updates
• Develop social media posts and campaigns to promote our programs and services, as well as provide information to students who follow those accounts
• Support drop-in advising by connecting students with pre-education advisors and checking availability, as well as answering any questions about administrative tasks such as registering for courses or dropping courses in experience
• Hold workshops for students on how to use Experience, Navigate, and academic planners prepared with Pre-ED advisors
• Participate in weekly check-ins with supervisors and present ideas for social media, workshops, or anything else that would improve pre-education students’ experience

Required Qualifications:

Experience with WOU systems (Navigate/Experience/Portal), degree-works, presenting to large groups, social media, willingness to teach/coach peers on study/success strategies

Preferred Qualifications:

Proficiency in google suites (sheets will be used), experience working with students both at the K-12 or college level

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired:

Early Childhood Studies, Pre-Education, Education, Education Studies, IDS with focus in Education, ED psych minor

Additional comments:

This position would be great experience for any students interested in working in higher ed or as a school counselor. They will be exposed to working with admissions for event planning, advising, student success and academic planning.

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  Communication/Humanities

Department Description:  

Fostering Success is a WOU initiative that provides the pathway and support necessary to help students who have been in foster care succeed in college. Bringing together financial, social, and educational support systems, the initiative works to remove common barriers to college completion and helps to make the university experience rich and meaningful for this nontraditional student population.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify effective strategies for promoting Fostering Success to stakeholders and the public at large, assist in the planning and execution of different types of events
• Implement a strategic approach to fundraising and prospective donor identification, and work more effectively with others to achieve a common goal

Learning Activities:

• Coordination with Independent Living Programs
• Web-based student resources (www.wou.edu/foster), Individualized support and advising, Group events & social media engagement, Fundraising, Faculty/staff training & mentorship
• Community outreach
• Campus awareness campaigns

Required Qualifications:

The successful candidate will be a hard worker capable of leading meetings, organizing volunteers, collaborating with students, staff and community partners, planning events, and conducting research.

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity and/or experience with the foster care system is desirable.

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired: Social Sciences, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Communication, Humanities, Creative Arts, Education

Additional comments: N/A

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  General Counsel

Department Description:

In serving as in-house counsel and representing the University’s legal interests, the Office of General Counsel (OGC) strives to ensure the University’s success in their educational and public service mission. OGC advises the University administration, the Board of Trustees, and faculty and staff on a broad range of initiatives, issues, and policy matters. OGC is committed to understanding the goals and upholding the values of WOU’s diverse campus community.

OGC provides in-house legal services on a full range of legal issues, including but not limited to:

• Employment
• Student affairs
• Procurement
• Real Estate
• Intellectual Property
• Grievances
• Complaints
• Collective Bargaining
• Policy Development
• Training
• Lawsuits

Learning Objectives:

• Gain practical legal skills
• Develop a deeper understanding of the legal profession’s values, ethics, and its impact on society
• Develop essential legal skills such as communication (both written and verbal), analytical reasoning, problem-solving, and time management (mentorship and critical feedback provided)
• Sharpen advocacy skills and develop legal research and writing skills through client interactions
• Understand the importance of professional ethics, integrity, and communication
• Learn to appreciate the day-to-day responsibilities of an attorney by networking, attending legal events, and reading relevant legal publications
• Reflect on experiences, challenges, and learning moments
• Consider strengths and areas for growth, and become more conscious of development as internship progresses through regular self-assessment

Learning Activities:

• Assist with document preparation, filing, and organization
• Conduct legal research under the supervision of General Counsel
• Assist in drafting and reviewing university policy
• Attend and participate in client meetings when appropriate 
• Provide general administrative support to the legal team
• Perform other related duties as required

Required Qualifications:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational skills and able to manage multiple tasks and projects
• Be punctual, reliable, and respectful
• Be open to learning new things and take on new challenges

Preferred Qualifications: N/A

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired: Political Science, Philosophy, Economics, History, English

Additional comments:

 For students interested in the legal profession, this opportunity will provide them relevant skills they can showcase on an application to law school or make them more competitive when applying for jobs.

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  President’s Office

Department Description: 

Who We Serve:  The Government Relations Office serves the Western Oregon University community including students, faculty, staff, and leadership while acting as the institution’s primary liaison to external policymakers and partners. We engage with the Oregon State Legislature, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, local governments, federal agencies, and community stakeholders across Polk County and the Mid-Willamette Valley. 

Mission:  Our mission is to advance Western Oregon University’s strategic priorities through effective advocacy, strong governmental partnerships, and policy leadership. We work to secure resources, shape public policy, and elevate WOU’s role in supporting student success, workforce development, and regional economic vitality.

Services We Offer: The office provides comprehensive government relations support, including legislative strategy and advocacy, policy analysis and monitoring, and coordination of institutional responses to proposed legislation. We manage relationships with elected officials and public agencies, organize campus engagement with policymakers, and support capital funding and budget initiatives. Additionally, we provide strategic counsel to university leadership, develop communications and testimony, and create opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in public service and policymaking.

Learning Objectives:

• Engage in applied, hands-on learning within the office of Government Relations and
• Develop core competencies in public policy, advocacy, and professional practice
• Build advanced written and verbal communication skills through drafting legislative summaries, briefing memos, and testimony, and by participating in meetings with policymakers and stakeholders
• Gain practical experience in policy analysis, including tracking legislation, evaluating fiscal and programmatic impacts, and translating complex policy into clear, actionable information for university leadership
• Develop an understanding of the state and federal policymaking process, with particular emphasis on higher education funding, capital construction, and workforce development policy
• Strengthen skills in stakeholder engagement, relationship management, and strategic thinking through structured mentorship
• Work collaboratively to define personalized learning outcomes aligned with academic and career goals
• Articulate gained competencies, refine professional interests, and build a clear pathway toward careers in public service, government relations, or policy leadership through regular reflection and feedback

Learning Activities: 

This internship is intentionally designed to expose the student to the full scope of day-to-day work in government relations, providing hands-on experience across a variety of tasks and projects typical of the profession. Responsibilities are intentionally flexible to ensure broad exposure to the profession while also allowing for deeper engagement in areas aligned with the intern’s academic and career interests.

• Engage in legislative tracking and policy analysis
• Prepare bill summaries and briefing memos
• Contribute to drafting testimony, talking points, and stakeholder communications
• Support advocacy efforts by assisting with legislative visits, campus engagement events, and coordination with external partners
• Attend regular one-on-one meetings with their supervisor
• Participate in internal strategy discussions, as well as external meetings with policymakers and agencies such as the Oregon State Legislature and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, gaining exposure to relationship management and policy development in real time
• Contribute meaningfully to active policy or funding initiatives, with opportunities to research, analyze, and present findings through project-based assignments

Required Qualifications:

• Current undergraduate in political science, public policy, public administration, communications, or a related field at Western Oregon University.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise materials.
• Demonstrated interest in public policy, government, or higher education advocacy.
• Basic understanding of governmental processes, particularly the Oregon State Legislature, or a willingness to learn quickly.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Professionalism, reliability, and ability to handle sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or similar tools.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Prior internship, coursework, or extracurricular involvement related to policy, advocacy, or government relations

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired:

Political Science, communications, public health, or a related field.

Additional comments:

This will be a high impact hands on internship that will empower and give the intern a complete understanding of what working in this field would look like.

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  English Dept, Humanities Div

Learning Objectives:

• Refine ability to perform library, database, and internet searches to compile previous research relevant to the topics of investigation; 
• Improve ability to read and evaluate online academic resources as they relate to current trends in Applied and Socio-linguistics;
• Learn more about the various methods used to conduct linguistics research including: collection and analysis of authentic data, applying appropriate analytical frameworks, the nature of visual displays of language in the public sphere and their application in analyzing language policies, ideologies, and contact;
• Learn about academic publishing and scholarly research networks;
• Use software for organizing academic resources and sharing them with a larger academic community;
• Evaluate project goals, timelines, and daily tasks to determine work priorities

Learning Activities:

• Perform library, database, and internet searches and evaluate sources to develop or add to a research database of articles related the Supervisors’ areas of linguistic/writing research;
• Read studies to determine their relevance to the research project and to record specific referencing information; 
• Discuss Socio and Applied Linguistics theory and methodologies with the supervisor; 
• Enter relevant reference information into a bibliographic database

Required Qualifications:

• Completion of at least one linguistics course
• Confident in use of common computer programs
• Interest in the social sciences, language, and/or education and social justice

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred junior or senior academic status

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired:

English, Linguistics, Writing, TEFL, Language Arts, ASL, Interpreting

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  Natural Sciences

Department Description:

The Biology Program’s mission is to provide students with foundation courses that present major concepts in biology and provide opportunities for science and non-science majors to experience laboratory experimentation. We are concerned that all students become comfortable with quantitative data analysis, interpretation of observations, and the evaluation and application of new information. We facilitate the mastering of concepts and methods through specialized courses that involve research – whether in terms of analyzing and understanding current literature in particular sub- disciplines or participating hands-on in original faculty-driven projects.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop skills in microscopy and analysis of anatomy and morphological plasticity induced by environmental stress
• Become proficient in the use of a specialized high power dissecting microscope
• Learn how to perform standardized counts using grid tools and use these data to determine density
• Learn important data organization and analysis skills including randomization, subsampling, and data management
• Gain practice at keeping careful laboratory records and notes and organizing scientific specimens
• Work as part of a research team

Learning Activities:

• Meet weekly with the supervisor for training and reporting on tasks and with the greater research team in the supervisor’s lab.
• Train in skills for specific tasks and then once proficient, use those skills to analyze specimens. 
• Gain confidence and experience with laboratory skills for handling and analyzing preserved specimens as part of a long-term ecological research project.
• Learn to keep a detailed research notebook of their findings, conduct data entry and organization, and perform some basic analyses on the data. 
• Interact with the larger Garry Oak Ecological Research Group to better understand the collaborative nature of research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the standards that define ethical scientific behavior.

Required Qualifications:

• Attention to detail
• Ability to use a dissecting or compound microscope for an extended period of time
• Ability to maintain focus and efficiency though repetitive and monotonous tasks

Preferred Qualifications:

• Average grade point of B or above in relevant science coursework
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel
• Successful completion of MTH 111Z or equivalent.

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired:

Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Forensic Chemistry/Anthropology, Science Education, IDS (Biology/Science focus), pre-medical, pre-MLS, pre-dentistry or dental hygiene, microbiology, and any students who desires a STEM career in a field that emphasize ability to perform detailed work at a microscope (e.g. blood smear counts, plate counts, etc)

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department: Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Department Description:

Phi Kappa Phi is the national honor society serving all majors at WOU. Our mission is to promote the Love of Learning. We induct 25+ of the top undergraduate and graduate students at WOU every year in April. We promote scholarship opportunities and fellowships and networking opportunities to WOU chapter members.

Learning Objectives: 

• Gain experience with time management and meeting deadlines
• Build communication and networking skills by corresponding with a wide range of staff, faculty and administrators across campus
• Learn about the interrelated roles of the various departments and services on the WOU campus

 Learning Activities: 

• Work with a PKP faculty officer to build Excel spreadsheets of data to sort PKP candidates by GPA to determine who will be eligible for membership.
• Attend 2-3 executive committee meetings each term to understand the format and details of the induction event.
• Build a spreadsheet of WOU PKP faculty and student members sorted by induction date, graduation dates, active vs. inactive membership, etc..
• Work with alumni director to request personal emails for PKP alumni for which we have only WOU email information.
• Learn to create multiple email templates and schedule their delivery. The emails will promote upcoming scholarship opportunities to members for 5-6 different deadlines over the course of the year.
• Work with the PKP president to schedule and follow up on the event details for the April induction ceremony with catering, campus parking, musicians, facilities, key note speaker, administration, etc.
• Help produce certificates and programs for the induction ceremony.  

 Required Qualifications: 

• Attention to detail
• Punctuality and reliability
• Good organization skills
• Strong communication skills
• Proficiency in written English

 Preferred Qualifications: 

•  Familiarity with Google Forms, Spreadsheets & Docs is helpful
• Interest in posting to Social media

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired:

Communication, English, Writing, Design, etc.

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  MarCom

Department Description:

 Key Services: 

• Project Requests: MarCom offers support for graphic design, web development, and video production to enhance the university’s visual and digital presence.​ 
• Self-Service Resources: The department provides tools and strategies to help faculty and staff effectively promote their work, research, and events.​
•  Templates: Access to branded PowerPoint templates ensures consistency across presentations and official documents.​ 
• News Sharing: Faculty and staff can submit their achievements and stories for potential press releases and social media features.​ 
• Event Promotion: MarCom facilitates the inclusion of events on the WOU homepage, increasing visibility to the broader community.​
•  Business Materials: Requests for official business cards and name badges are managed through the department.​
•  Newsletters: MarCom produces the internal @WOU newsletter and the monthly WolfBytes newsletter, keeping the campus community informed.

Learning Objectives: 

This internship offers a comprehensive and immersive experience in digital media, marketing, and professional communication, tailored for students interested in careers in communications, media, public relations, or related fields.

• Gain real-world experience managing social media for Western Oregon University’s official platforms.
• Develop a wide range of professional and creative skills. 
• Gain experience in creating engaging, brand-aligned content including posts, short-form videos (Reels and TikToks), and graphics tailored for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X.
• Develop skills to create visually appealing, platform-appropriate assets while ensuring consistency with university branding through the use of Canva.
• Utilize verbal and written communication skills in a professional setting, especially while interacting with different departments, coordinating content, and representing WOU in public-facing digital communications.
• Learn how to adhere brand and social media guidelines, upholding a consistent welcoming and professional tone across various platforms.
• Work closely with peers, supervisors, and departments to ideate, plan, and execute campaigns.
• Gain experience navigating creative collaboration and group decision-making. 
• Develop skills managing individual projects and responsibilities, with the knowledge of how to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Identify and leverage current trends in social media to increase engagement and reach, gaining insight into what content resonates with our various audiences. 
• Learn how to evaluate content performance using analytics tools, deriving insights that inform future content strategies.
• Builds data literacy and strategic thinking skills. 
• Work with tools such as Canva and CapCut for content creation, editing, and design. 
• Learn how to resize and format images for various platforms, building a foundational understanding of visual optimization for digital marketing.
• Stay informed on campus events and culture, learning how to translate that information into meaningful digital storytelling that enhances school spirit and student engagement.

 Learning Activities: 

• Create social media posts/reels/videos for WOU’s official social media channels (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X).
• Utilize social media our own and top competitors data analytics to drive content.
• Keeping up to date on the latest campus events.
• Work with others to create and plan social media content as well as work independently.
• Work within the campus branding and social media guidelines.
• Resize images for various platforms Use Canva and CapCut.
• Meeting weekly with the supervisor Attending meetings with stakeholders on campus as needed 

*Other duties may be assigned

 Required Qualifications: 

• One year of experience creating quality content for social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
• Confidence in being in front of the camera and the ability to speak to students to get them involved in social media content.
• Ability to adapt tone and voice to different platforms and target audiences.
• Experience with video content creation and editing using tools like CapCut, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency with graphic design tools such as Canva or similar platforms.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines for time-critical projects.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in marketing content and campaigns.

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience conducting basic market research and applying findings to campaign strategies.
• Experience creating accessible and inclusive social media content. 
• Experience with in-person marketing and event promotion and collaborating with student organizations.
• Knowledge of design thinking or innovation process.

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired: 

Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, Business, or a related field.

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  Biology

Description Department:

The Biology Program’s mission is to provide students with foundation courses that present major concepts in biology and provide opportunities for science and non-science majors to experience laboratory experimentation. We are concerned that all students become comfortable with quantitative data analysis, interpretation of observations, and the evaluation and application of new information. We facilitate the mastering of concepts and methods through specialized courses that involve research – whether in terms of analyzing and understanding current literature in particular sub- disciplines or participating hands-on in original faculty-driven projects.

Learning Objectives: 

• Develop skills related to laboratory sample processing to produce publication quality samples for later ecological, DNA, and chemical analysis. 
• Learn how to sterilize equipment and resources and control for cross contamination in laboratory sample processing.
• Learn how to extract roots in the laboratory following research protocol and check for quality control.
• Learn how to collect and transport DNA protected soil samples under field conditions.
• Learn important data organization and analysis skills including randomization, subsampling, and data management.
• Gain practice at keeping careful laboratory records and notes and organizing scientific specimens.
• Work as part of a research team.

 Learning Activities: 

• Meet weekly with the supervisor for training and reporting on tasks and with the greater research team in the supervisor’s lab.
• Train in skills for specific task and then once proficient, will use those skills to analyze specimens. 
• Gain confidence and experience with laboratory skills for handling and analyzing preserved specimens as part of a long-term ecological research project.
• Learn to keep a detailed research notebook of their findings, conduct data entry and organization, and perform some basic analyses on the data.
• Interact with the larger Garry Oak Ecological Research Group to better understand the collaborative nature of research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the standards that define ethical scientific behavior. Specific tasks the intern will assist with may include root extraction from soil samples, counts of mycorrhizal fungal infection density on oak roots, field soil collections, sample archiving and organization, scientific record keeping, and science communication. 

 Required Qualifications: 

• Attention to detail
• Ability to work at a lab bench for extended periods of time
• Ability to maintain focus and efficiency through repetitive and monotonous tasks
• Ability to occasionally assist with outdoor field collections including hiking off trail carrying equipment and samples

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Average grade point of B or above in relevant science coursework
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel
• Successful completion of MTH 111Z or equivalent

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired: 

Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Forensic Chemistry/Anthropology, Science Education, IDS (Biology/Science focus), pre-medical, pre-MLS, pre-dentistry or dental hygiene, microbiology, and any students who desires a STEM career in a field that emphasize ability to perform DNA protected sample collection and management (e.g. forensics)

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  Marketing & Communication

Description Department:

The Web Group of the Marketing and Communications Department works in concert with the UCS Web Team to develop, maintain, and support the online objectives of Western Oregon University. Our goal is to transform our 200+ associated websites into facile tools that disseminate useful information and improve engagement between prospective students, current students, faculty, and staff. Essentially, we’re a group of upbeat, proactive, problem-solving nerds.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn to proficiently structure and style web pages
• Learn about HTML5 semantic elements, CSS grid, Flexbox, and responsive design to ensure websites are mobile-friendly
• Gain exposure to popular JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js and learn how they work with state management, components, and lifecycle method
• Learn how to commit, push, pull, branch, and resolve merge conflicts on platforms like GitHub or GitLab
• Gain exposure to PHP and our WordPress multisite platform
  • Future projects may require learning other languages such as Node.js, Python, and Ruby
• Learn how to work with the various databases associated with WordPress, Banner, and Slate
  • Interns may have the opportunity to work with RESTful APIs, authenticate users, and handle data securely
• Learn the full cycle of deploying a website or app, including using Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Interns may be introduced to Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment tools to streamline deployment and testing

 Learning Activities: 

• Attend and participate in the weekly staff meetings of two interrelated teams
• Attend and/or participate in strategy sessions for larger long-term projects
• Interact with a wide variety of stakeholders including leadership, faculty, staff, and/or fellow student
• Update web content continuously
  • Some web managers make their own edits. Others ask us to make their updates. Sometimes edits of web managers don’t go as planned and we are asked to go in and fix things.
• Learn and participate in the full lifecycle of projects
• Review project goals with stakeholders, establish a game plan with the team, set reasonable expectations, and communicate with stakeholders if issues arise
• Work with databases and examine and address large bodies of content
• Audit, curate, archive, purge, and standardize data
• Participate in planning, testing, Identifying challenges, creating work-arounds, and proactively solving problems
  • We regularly introduce new plugins, new platforms, and new services to our web environment
• Learn to cross-reference terminology, browse forums to find answers to problems, discover the most efficient way to approach a large project, compare the offerings of various vendors’ services, and perform due-diligence investigations

This Year’s Projected Projects

• Remove all inactive websites from our servers
• Remove all unauthorized user accounts from websites
• Establish website policies and procedures
• Audit our media libraries and purge unused content
• Migrate faculty and club websites to wp.wou.edu subdomain
• Migrate governance websites to gov.wou.edu subdomain
• Redevelop the online Admissions workflow and process
• Create two separate and distinct websites. One for prospective students, another for the current university population
• Redesign and redevelop www.wou.edu to only focus on prospective students
• Ensure our websites meet the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards by April 24, 2026.

 Required Qualifications:  

• Positive, can-do attitude 
• Diligence
• Attention to detail
• Decent time management skills
• Familiarity with WordPress or similar publishing platforms

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Working knowledge of CSS, HTML, and Javascript are handy

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired: 

Any combination of Computer Science, Marketing, Communication, and Art

POSITION DETAILS

Internship Host Department:  UCS – wouTV

Description Department:

wouTV serves as the broadcast arm of both UCS and MARCOM for Western Oregon University. We serve primarily Athletic events with some larger University events as well. (HSI Summit, Commencement, etc) Our mission mirrors the overall UCS mission: University Computing Services supports the WOU mission through collaborative implementation of technology for students, faculty, staff, and the community. UCS commits to keep campus technology current and accessible.

Learning Objectives: 

• Configure, color-balance, and operate professional-grade studio cameras during high-stakes live events.
• Achieve setup and readiness within a strict 60-minute pre-show window.
• Command a digital production switcher to execute flawless transitions between varied video sources and graphic overlays.
• Successfully act as the lead Technical Director for a minimum of three live campus broadcasts by week 10.
• Assess daily production needs and project timelines to independently manage workflow priorities.
  • Measured by the 100% completion and submission of weekly pre-production checklists.
• Communicate technical requirements clearly and professionally to crew members, on-screen talent, and university partners.
  • Demonstrated by independently leading at least two pre-show safety and technical briefings.
• Cultivate foundational leadership habits and collaborative teamwork strategies.
  • Culminating in the successful training of one incoming student employee on basic camera operations by the end of the term.
• Produce and finalize a professional Broadcast Demo Reel that highlights the intern’s best camera work, directing, and control room operations, successfully exporting the final portfolio piece by week 10.
• Earn a verified industry credential by completing an introductory broadcast software or audio certification (e.g., Dante Level 1 Audio Certification or NewTek TriCaster operational training, depending on students primary interest between audio or video) with a passing score.

 Learning Activities: 

• Rig sets prior to broadcasts, which involves routing cables, dialing in lighting grids, and conducting audio checks, with the goal of reducing overall setup time by 20% over the first five weeks of the internship.
• Shadow veteran technicians to master the specific hardware and software ecosystems utilized on the WOU campus. 
• Rotate through various control room stations—such as audio engineering, teleprompting, and graphic insertion—during actual university productions. 
• Participate in weekly sit-downs with the Video Productions Manager to track progress, outline upcoming deliverables, and adjust priorities. 
• Analyze recorded footage post-show alongside their mentor to pinpoint areas of technical improvement and receive tailored coaching, identifying and correcting at least two specific technical pacing or framing errors per review session. 
• Dedicate one paid hour per week to logging high-quality broadcast cuts and editing them into a cohesive personal demo reel, receiving final editorial feedback from the Video Productions Manager. 
• Complete self-paced, online technical training modules provided by the department during control room downtime to prepare for and pass their targeted industry certification exam.

 Required Qualifications:  

• An eagerness to master new tools, bring fresh ideas to the table, and reliably hit production deadlines.
• Strong collaboration skills and an organized approach to tasks.
• Active enrollment at Western Oregon University.
• A passion for the intersection of creative storytelling and technical broadcast engineering.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Apple and Windows environments 
• Proficiency in basic networking/IP configurations

Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired: 

Media Studies, Communication, Marketing