ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE

Bullhorn

Bullhorn is a branding agency based in Lexington. You can find more information here. It's part-time, paid hourly, and scheduled to fit you. A great opportunity to get hands-on experience at a fast-paced agency. Apply here

The Lexington Art League

The Lexington Art League hosts approximately five interns for three terms each year, spring, summer, and fall in a range of areas of professional interest. Please see here for details.

BUSINESS

Clearbrook

Clearbrook is an entrepreneurial business principally engaged in new infill development opportunities here in Lexington. A small business with only two full time employees, Clearbrook has a no-frills attitude, is diligent about measuring results, and values transparency. An intern should expect to attend meetings; research and write on topics with which they may have little or no familiarity; and be open to learning the mathematics of finance relied upon by the company. Reading assignments will be provided before the intern reports for the internship.

COMMUNICATIONS, MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA

CATS

CATS provides creative and technical services to the College of Arts & Sciences. Communications interns will have the chance to work on a variety of writing projects for use in multiple media (print, social media, video). As an intern, students will learn to juggle multiple creative projects, work in a team environment, deal with client needs and wants while preserving a brand, and gain pieces for a professional portfolio. Interns will have the chance to work on marketing and communications projects. See here for more information. 

EDITING AND PUBLISHING

University Press of Kentucky

The University Press of Kentucky (UPK) is the scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each year, the Press publishes 50-55 titles in print and electronic forms in various subjects in the humanities and social sciences. The University Press of Kentucky offers a number of internship opportunities each year, providing a complete overview of the publishing industry. This includes experience in the acquiring, editorial, and marketing departments. These positions allow students who are interested in a career in publishing to learn about the basics of book publishing, receive on-the-job experience, and polish communication skills. UPK seeks energetic, motivated, detail-oriented, creative students who demonstrate the skills needed to work in the industry. UPK currently offers three different types of internships year-round:  Acquisitions; Editing, Design, and Production; and Marketing. See here for more information. 

Apex Book Company

Apex Book Company is a small press located in Lexington, KY that publishes Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror. Apex accepts student interns from local universities with university writing programs. Opportunities vary from basic summer internships to year-long publishing immersions where students take part in the life cycle of a book from acceptance to post-publication. Please write to matthew.godbey@uky.edu for more information.

Ace Magazine

Ace Magazine is a Lexington weekly since 1989. Although each internship has a Focus (design, editorial, web/digital, and marketing/advertising/promotional), all internships are multidisciplinary, multimedia internships, and may include but are not limited to: fact checking; research; posting web content and photos; archiving; layout and design; reporting; assembling and writing listings; reviews; live blogging; photography; transcribing; and both print and web production. All interns work in WordPress daily; graphic design interns must be proficient in InDesign. Advertising and promotions interns must be proficient in all social media channels. Please read here for information on Ace internships.

The Bourbon Review

A leading magazine on Bourbon and American Whiskey located in Lexington, KY. The Bourbon Review provides student interns with opportunities to edit and to write their own articles. 

College Magazine

College Magazine is seeking students passionate about writing, editing and leadership. The College Magazine Editorial Leadership Program is a 4-month internship with an intensive 4-week training on how to build trust with a team, provide meaningful critique, lead student-writer meetings, determine quality articles and conquer editorial challenges. We are seeking applicants with a growth mindset who are eager to learn what it takes to lead a team of five writers and contribute to the content vision of College Magazine. The Editorial Leadership Program is a 10 hour/week commitment. Please note that the internship is for credit and is unpaid. We welcome applicants from all majors. Previous writing or editing experience for a college-level publication is a plus. To Apply contact editorial@collegemagazine.com

EDUCATION

Carnegie Center for Literacy

Meet weekly after school with a K-12 student and help with a subject you are comfortable tutoring. Available tutoring hours are Monday-Thursday from 3:30-7:30 pm, Friday from 3:30-5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am-2 pm. See here for more information. 

Fayette County Public Schools

Student teaching experience is available to English Majors interested in teaching high school English. Please contact matthew.godbey@uky.edu for more information.

GOVERNMENT

Kentucky Legislative Internship Program (KLIP)​

These legislative internships in Frankfort are now open to all pre-law majors. For more information, please see KLIP on the Political Science Internship page here. 

Wildcats at the Capitol

Spend a semester interning on Capitol Hill with your fellow Wildcats. WilDCats at the Capitol is the University of Kentucky's federal government internship program that offers any UK student the opportunity to intern, earn course credit, and gain experience at the highest levels of government while living in the nation's capitol.  

Government Internships in Frankfort

According to the Chegg Internship website, “Government internships are the best way to bridge the gap between going to school and landing great job… At the end of your internship, you’ll have relevant experience to help you decide if starting your career in the field of your internship is the right choice for you. It also helps that 7 out of 10 internships result in a full time job offer, which means interning in Frankfort, KY can also serve as the foundation to landing a full time job in that city after graduation.” For more information, read here.

LAW

Intern at a law firm in Lexington where you will gain a wide range of experience with briefs, court, filings, and other aspects of law practice. 10 hours a week. To apply, send a letter of interest, a resume, and an unofficial UK Transcript to matthew.godbey@uky.edu

LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES

Lexington Public Library

The Lexington Public Library is looking for curious, dedicated, and energized individuals looking to learn more about the Lexington Public Library, contribute to its day-to-day success, and gain valuable experience for future employment. For more information, see here for more information.

UK Libraries

UK Libraries Learning Lab Internship - If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to advance your research by working with primary resources, the UK Libraries Undergraduate Learning Lab Internship may be right for you. Through this paid internship, students receive training in archival methods while working with unprocessed or under-processed archival collections in their research area in the Special Collections Research Center Learning Lab. Each year's collections cover a different array of topics, so make sure to check back here during the fall semester to learn more.

King Library Press Internship -- The King Library Press is devoted to the tradition of fine printing and produces books and broadsides. Typesetting, printing, and binding are all done at the Press. For more information on working for the Press or enrolling in their for-credit Book Arts course, please contact Dr. Paul Holbrook at peholbr@post.harvard.edu

UK Libraries Marketing and Graphic Design Internship - This paid internship allows students with a passion for graphic design and digital marketing to expand and promote UK Libraries' brand. 

UK Libraries Peer Tutor Internship - This paid internship allows students with an interest in research and assisting peers with academic scholarship to participate in, develop, and/or lead library-related and/or library-sponsored projects and activities that develop research and critical thinking skills in their area of studies or interest. 

NON-PROFIT AND ADVOCACY

International Book Project

International Book Project believes books change lives. They are a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to develop lasting partnerships with under-served communities to provide books, promote literacy, and advance economic opportunity throughout Kentucky, across the country, and around the globe. The books they ship are individually curated to the requests of our partners and range from a few dozen books to sea containers of 30,000+ books for libraries and schools. Since their founding in 1966, International Book Project has shipped close to 8 million books to 168 countries. 

Living Arts and Science Center​

The Living Arts and Science Center is a unique and treasure cultural institution that reaches over 45,000 Kentuckians a year with innovative educational programs that augment traditional school programs and put a premium on fostering creativity. LASC offers internships in the fall, spring, and summer seasons in the following areas: Arts Administration, Arts Education, Development, Early Education, Gallery, Graphic Design, Marketing and Sales, Science Education, and Video Production.

Global Lex

Global Lex is a multilingual, multidisciplinary center where local residents and our foreign-born population obtain information, access programs and services, meet to celebrate cultural events and visit our international art gallery. Global Lex is available to facilitate strategic partnerships in a wide variety of fields in order to meet both our city’s, and our growing international community’s needs. Global Lex has rolling applications for internships. University students with an interest in international affairs, cross-cultural communication, etc. are encouraged to apply. Interns are expected to continue the program for one academic year. Fall to spring or spring to fall. Interns intending to work only one semester or for the summer are expected to have increased hours. To apply see here. 

Kentucky Refugee Ministries

Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. (KRM), a non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith-and agency-based co-sponsorship in order to promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into our community. KRM is committed to offering access to community resources and opportunities and to promoting awareness of diversity for the benefit of the whole community. 

The James W. Stuckert Career Center offers information about numerous other internships available locally, nationally, or internationally. They also offer general career assistance, from writing cover letters and resumes, to exploring career options, to connecting with prospective employers. Check out their Micro-Internships Program (here): Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments that are similar to those given to new hires or interns. These projects enable Career Launchers to demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build their networks as they seek the right full-time role. Unlike traditional internships, Micro-Internships can take place year-round, typically range from 5 to 40 hours of work, and are due between one week and one month after kick-off. Micro-Internships are used by companies ranging from those in the Fortune 100 to emerging start-ups, and go across departments including sales, marketing, technology, HR, and finance.

Through Sigma Tau Delta: http://www.english.org/career/internships/index.shtml

Through Nationally Competitive Awards: https://www.uky.edu/chellgren/competitive-awards/internships

Through Stuckert Career Center Website: https://www.uky.edu/careercenter/internships

Many internships are unpaid and students may feel reluctant to pursue them because of financial strain. Don’t take yourself out of the running because you think you can’t afford to be an intern. You may be able to gain financial support for an internship.

• Funding through College of Arts and Sciences (here)
• Ethelee '61 and John '62 Baxter Scholars Gift Fund (here)
• The John W. Boone Fund for Summer Internships (here)
• The John Calhoun Wells Eastern Kentucky Scholars Fund (here)
• Funding through Wildcat Internship Scholarship Program for Summer 2023 (here)
• Funding through Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (here)
• Funding through the Chellgren Center (here)
• Funding for Pre-Law through the Trunzo Scholars Program (here)
• Funding for Sigma Tau Delta Members (here) 
• Wildcat Wardrobe can assist with professional attire (here)

Qualifying Internships: 

Internships must be supervised by a professional in a field that draws upon the core skills of the English major: reading, writing, oral communication, critical thinking, research, problem-solving, data analysis, information management, and more. Given the broad reach of these skills, English internships can be secured in a range of career fields and settings. English Majors often pursue internships in law, government, business, the arts, design, publishing, editing, writing, and social media content management, but other opportunities abound. See the previous tabs on this page for more ideas. Importantly, students should be learning about a particular field or position while working on the job; internships must therefore involve experience more substantial than routine clerical work (e.g., photocopying, filing, mailing), though these tasks can be part of the assignment. Please note that ultimate discretion for an eligible internship resides with the English Internship Director (the Director of Undergraduate Studies).

Credit Hours: 

Internships should run the length of the semester (between 14-16 weeks). Students may earn 1 credit hour for 3-4 hours of work per week, 2 credit hours for 6-7 hours per week, and 3 credit hours for 9-10 hours per week. ENG 399 is repeatable for up to 6 credit hours.

Steps for ENG 399:

1.) Secure an Internship.

2.) Notify English Internship Director of your internship via email (matthew.godbey@uky.edu). The DUS will give you access to the Canvas course shell: "ENG 399: English Internships."

3.) Complete a Learning Contract. Downloadable here. 

4.) Upload Learning Contract onto Canvas with handwritten or electronic signatures from student and internship supervisor by the first week of the semester. Signatures should not be typed. 

5.) English Internship Director gives approval, enrolls student in ENG 399.

6.) Student fulfills obligations agreed upon with supervisor in Learning Contract; completes a 2-page single-spaced reflection essay by the end of the semester; and any other academic assignments designated by internship supervisor. *Students will not receive a passing grade for this course unless all of these requirements are met – and met on time.