Experiential learning at Quinnipiac offers multiple opportunities to apply your knowledge through hands-on work, service and exploration, preparing you for success in 21st-century careers. With an abundance of resources, internship opportunities and career-focused guidance, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge that distinguish you to employers and pave the way for long-term success.
Like every Quinnipiac student, you'll have many opportunities to learn through hands-on experiences through research, course projects and capstones. These immersive opportunities not only demonstrate the depth of your knowledge and skills to professors and peers, but also make a strong impression on potential employers. By applying what you've learned in real-world contexts, you'll gain deeper insights into various industries and career paths.
We're proud to offer a range of experiential learning opportunities tailored to students interested in joining this exciting field. Become an invaluable member of student-run media groups or professional organizations as you hone your skills for a career in communications.
At Quinnipiac, we recognize that the realm of social media is an influential force in today's digital landscape. From internships with leading companies and organizations to real-world projects that put theory into practice, we empower our students to navigate the complex landscape of social media management, content creation and online community engagement.
Exploring Communications Abroad (COM 340) introduces students to the worldwide development of communications, including communication practices, infrastructure, environments and specializations. Students conduct primary and secondary research on communications in a specific country or in a cross-cultural context. The topics can range from international cinema though storytelling and global branding to documentary filmmaking depending on the specialty of the instructor. This course includes a short-term study-abroad component directly related to the topic.
Recent sections include:
The London Brand is a course that provides a comprehensive overview of the ‘branding’ of London from several perspectives (history, architecture, theater, film, music, English football, the Queen) and specifically as they relate to how branding helps provide a clear, compelling vision for a city. In turn, this vision can be translated into planning and action, and ultimately communicated intelligently to build a positive image in the minds of those who engage (or may want to engage) with the city.
Visualizing Greece provides a practical introduction to and exploration of visual communication in the context of specific iconic areas of Greece, such as Ancient Athens and the Greek Islands. Throughout the course, students sketch, design, conceptualize, reflect upon and discuss their ideas on the creative process, all with Greece as their laboratory. Basic perceptual theories are introduced to help students grasp the use of visual elements like color, form, depth and movement in Greece's cultural celebrations. Ultimately, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of historical and contemporary visual imagery in Greece, exploring how it influences our perceptions and how visual culture can be harnessed for advertising and public relations.
Locations: Paris, France; Zurich, Switzerland
The Emily in Paris Effect: Luxury and Lifestyle Strategic Communications is a course that introduces students to luxury and lifestyle brand strategic communications by exploring the social, cultural, and professional practices and responsibilities of the industry. Students will learn methods to thoughtfully research and segment stakeholder groups, design appropriate messaging for them, and implement effective and ethical strategies and tactics. Students will learn critical thinking skills and professional roles central to luxury brand work.
In this semester-long storytelling course, students first learn about the history, politics, and society of Guatemala. During spring break travel, the group takes part in a program designed in collaboration with community members that is centered on Maya culture, women’s rights, entrepreneurship and sustainable agriculture. While in San Lucas Tolimán, students engage with community members to exchange knowledge and do fact-gathering for a multimedia project. Once the group returns to Hamden, they develop the project and publish it online.
Locations: Poland, Czech Republic and Germany
Holocaust and Film concentrates on the Holocaust as represented in various types of films (features, documentaries, propaganda, and shorts). Through the analysis of moving images, students learn the history of the systematic murder of millions of people during WWII. Students study the events that led to the war as well as its consequences. An emphasis is placed on how the media can be used to present and distort history, evoke emotions and bring a broader understanding of the past. The use of film as a communication tool is also examined.
Location: Cannes, France
The Cannes Film Festival travel course introduces students first-hand to film festivals and markets, sales and distribution. Students engage in a part-time internship while on the ground in Cannes, attend screenings, networking events, dinners, panels and roundtable discussions.
The number of locations where communications students interned across the country during the 2019-20 academic year.
Quinnipiac students excel as interns, new hires, managers and executives in almost every industry. Gather real-world data about starting salaries, hiring trends and in-demand skills to inform your decision-making and put you on a path to success.
With an abundance of career-focused information and resources, the career advisers within the School of Communications support students as they expand their professional networks and attract the attention of prestigious employers.
iQ, Quinnipiac University’s holistic approach to career development and experiential learning, surrounds every individual with a personalized plan that maximizes their time at Quinnipiac. The powerhouse of iQ, our Career and Experiential Learning Lab is the physical space where students and advisers bridge the gap between college and career.
Studying and working outside the classroom challenges you — and changes you. These experiences, from competitions and capstones to study abroad opportunities and service outlets, make you more confident, more independent and better prepared for whatever profession you pursue.
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.