For local information, please visit:

• Kent County Health Department COVID-19 information. (6/29/2020)
• Ottawa County Health Department COVID-19 information. (6/29/2020)

Consult the GVSU COVID-19 Information Website for any university updates (6/29/2020)

Follow CDC Guidelines . If you are a student and suspect you may have COVID-19, please contact your healthcare provider or GVSU Campus Health Center  (616-252-6030) to consult with someone about your symptoms and determine the next steps for your care. Follow your internship site protocol regarding absences due to illness (specifically COVID-19) and connect with your faculty advisor/instructor to let them know. You can also schedule a meeting with a GVSU CARE Advisor  to help navigate your illness and academics. (6/29/2020)

If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.

• Keep track of your symptoms.
• If you have  an emergency warning sign  (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately.

The CDC compiled a list of steps to take if you are sick at home. Read them.

Please refer to your healthcare provider or the Campus Health Center  (CHC) for guidance. They can help you navigate the ins-and-outs of your plan.

If you are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 (see CDC page explaining who is at higher risk), please do not put your health in danger. No internship is worth risking your health and wellbeing. Contact the Internship Coordinator, Vinicius Lima, by email. 

Typical arrangements that promote workplace health and safety include:

• Staying home if you feel ill
• required COVID-19 testing
• daily health self-assessments
• temperature checks
• hand-washing
• face coverings (masks and face shields)
• physical barriers
• reduced occupation
• virtual meetings
• social distancing (minimum 6ft.) 

Students are encouraged to review the US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration Guidelines  to assess an internship site for safety.

If you do not feel safe reporting to your internship, contact the Internship Coordinator, Vinicius Lima, by email, as soon as possible.

Students who had already secured an internship for this calendar year should proactively contact their supervisors. Students must confirm the internship continuity and work arrangements that will guarantee their health and safety. 

If you were not able to secure a placement due to COVID-19 and had a December graduation planned, contact the Internship Coordinator, Vinicius Lima, by email. There may be a chance for special arrangements.

We are sorry to hear that. You can choose to secure another internship on or off-campus, or we can assess other previous design experiences that may award you credit. Contact the Internship Coordinator, Vinicius Lima, by email.

On-campus experiences will count toward the internship credit if: 

1. Your supervisor must be a professional in one of these fields and capable of offering appropriate feedback on your work. Such professionals include those on, but not limited to, the following fields: Graphic Design, Web Design, Marketing, Public Relations, Print Production, and Social Media. 
2. You will benefit from this experience by gaining valuable skills and career-related competencies, exploring career/occupational interests, and learning design workplace etiquette and professionalism.

On-campus design jobs are usually available at the:

• The Lanthorn layout department
• The Promotions Office
• The Laker Store Design/Marketing department
• Johnson Center for Philanthropy
• University Development Design/Marketing department
• University Communications Design/Marketing department
• GVSU Alumni House Design/Marketing department
• Laker Food Co. Design/Marketing
• Recreation Services Design/Marketing
• GVSU Athletics Design/Marketing. 

Some design jobs on campus may also be eligible for credit. For any on-campus job credit question, contact the Internship Coordinator, Vinicius Lima, by email. 

If your job is not design-related or does not provide you professional design skills, it will not count as your internship. Remember, the internship is a learning experience and an opportunity to receive professional training while being a student.

Internships are first and foremost teaching moments. Off-campus experiences will count toward the internship credit if: 

1. You're supervised by a more experienced professional in the creative sector.
2. Your supervisor must be a professional in one of these fields and capable of offering appropriate feedback on your work. Such professionals include those on, but not limited to, the following fields: Graphic Design, Web Design, Marketing, Public Relations, Print Production, and Social Media. 
3. You will benefit from this experience by gaining valuable skills and career-related competencies, exploring career/occupational interests, and learning design workplace etiquette and professionalism.

You must complete between 120–150 hours to fulfill a 3-credit internship.

No. But compensation is always encouraged.

The GVSU Career Center is aware of the financial strain this process can put on the students. As an effort to help offset costs acquired from unpaid internships, students can apply to the Career Center Internship Award. This university-wide office provides ten, $500 scholarships in the Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer semesters. Interested students must apply in a timely fashion for consideration.

For more information, please visit this link.

The internship requirement awards you a Credit/No Credit grade. If you complete the minimum hours and the required evaluations, you will get credit.

Students are encouraged to speak with Kate Stoetzner, Director of International Student and Scholar Services , Padnos International Center (6/29/2020)

A Graphic Design student can complete their internship requirement abroad. The student interested in this should consult with the Internship Coordinator before traveling to guarantee credit approval upon the student's return. International Internship Opportunities are made possible through the Study Abroad Program at the Padnos International Center. For more information, please visit their website.

Please consult a career counselor at the GVSU Career Center and the internship coordinator, Vinicius Lima. They can help.

Until you complete the internship experience, your diploma will not be issued. You can, however, participate in commencement ceremonies and complete the internship afterward.

You should continue to work on your portfolio and your networking to secure an experience next year. Hopefully, more effective care measures will be available, and activities will have returned to a closer-to-normal state. The internship coordinator, Vinicius Lima, will continue to monitor the situation and keep students informed of any changes.