SAMPLE LETTER TO SITE SUPERVISOR
Dear Ms. Johnson:
Thank you for becoming an educational partner. As a site supervisor, you play an important role in the professional growth of a student. Judy Jones has selected your internship site because she feels you offer a wonderful opportunity for skill development. As a site supervisor, you agree to mentor and work with Judy. In return, Judy is expected to act professionally, tackle assignments with enthusiasm, and perform tasks to the best of her ability.
Although expected to handle a certain amount of clerical-related duties, students must seek sites that offer a chance to develop their writing and production skills. In addition, site supervisors must be communications professionals in journalism and public relations fields and have at least five years of experience in that area. Since students are receiving credit, they must get regular performance assessments from their site supervisors. In addition, they provide the instructor with regular progress reports and work samples.
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications sets policies for internships where students receive credit. The policy manual states: “Academic credit may be awarded only for carefully monitored and supervised experience in fields related to journalism and mass communications….Supervision should include consultation with the organization or business offering the internship or practicum, specification of the duties to be undertaken, regular reports from a designated supervisor at the employing firm and from the student, and faculty visits to the site of the work.”
Therefore, as a site supervisor, you’ll need to do three performance assessments for Judy by completing a one-page form that asks you to comment on her strengths and weaknesses and a questionnaire about the internship experience. Moreover, I may be contacting you to discuss the internship and her progress.
We thank you again for being a role model for Judy and a force that will shape her professional life. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (562) 985-5400.
Sincerely,
Emma Daugherty, Internship Coordinator