HEATHER PURDY

INTERNSHIP PREP

Individual Meeting Time with Student
Building 15, Classroom 4

Instructor: Heather Purdy
Email: hvpurdy@dmacc.edu
Phone Number: 515-964-6572
Office Location: Building 15 Room 5

Contact Turnaround Time:
If you email or call me and have to leave a message, I will reply to you as soon as possible, but within 48 hours from when I receive your message. Please note, I do not work evenings or weekends. I also do not live here at DMACC. 

Message in Canvas: If you send a message through Canvas to an instructor, you may consider also sending an email to their dmacc email address. Canvas does not notify instructors of messages.

Deadlines:
Deadlines will not be extended. All projects are due on the assigned due date. One minute late entries will not be accepted. This is a fast-paced 10-week course, students do not have time to make up late work.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Internship Search Strategies & Career Planning

Focus: Competency 6, 7, 10, 12

Topics
  • Job search tools and internship resources
  • Networking strategies and professional communication
  • Application timelines and tracking systems
  • Review of previously selected preliminary portfolio projects

Activities

  • Internship and job board exploration
  • Career center workshop
  • Portfolio project discussion and goal setting

Assignment 1

Internship Search & Application Tracker

  • Identify potential internship opportunities
  • Create a job/internship tracking system
  • Develop an application timeline aligned with portfolio goals

Week 2: Resume Development & Personal Branding

Focus: Competency 2

Topics

  • Resume structure and hierarchy
  • Personal branding and visual identity
  • Tailoring resumes to creative industry positions

Activities

  • Resume critique sessions
  • Peer review workshops
  • Design refinement exercises

Assignment 2

Professional Resume Design

  • Draft and revise a professional resume
  • Produce print and digital versions
  • Apply consistent branding and design principles

Week 3: Cover Letters & Professional Communication

Focus: Competency 4, 5

Topics

  • Cover letter writing strategies
  • Business communication formats
  • Follow-up etiquette and professional correspondence

Activities

  • Drafting and revising cover letters
  • Writing professional emails
  • Peer editing sessions

Assignment 3

Cover Letter & Follow-Up Package

  • Design and write a cover letter
  • Create a thank-you email or follow-up message
  • Customize communication materials for internship applications

Week 4: Portfolio Organization & Strategy

Focus: Competency 3

Topics

  • Portfolio structure and sequencing
  • Evaluating preliminary portfolio projects
  • Print vs. digital presentation strategies

Activities

  • Portfolio audits and peer reviews
  • Content organization workshops
  • Presentation planning exercises

Assignment 4

Portfolio Planning & Resource Gathering

  • Finalize portfolio project selections
  • Gather and organize assets, mockups, and process work
  • Create a portfolio development plan

Week 5: Portfolio Production & Refinement

Focus: Competency 3

Topics

  • Portfolio layout and visual consistency
  • Typography and presentation standards
  • Preparing work for print and digital formats

Activities

  • Studio production time
  • Instructor critiques
  • Peer feedback sessions

Assignment 5

Portfolio Development

  • Design and refine portfolio layouts
  • Prepare digital and print-ready portfolio pieces
  • Present progress for critique and revision

Week 6: Industry Exploration & Career Pathways

Focus: Competency 1, 9

Topics

  • Graphic design career paths and expectations
  • Industry trends and professional skills
  • Agency, freelance, corporate, and in-house opportunities

Activities

  • Career research discussions
  • Industry analysis activities
  • Professional practice review

Assignment 6

Industry Research Reflection

  • Research a design company or career path
  • Analyze required skills and expectations
  • Present findings in written or visual format

Week 7: Professional Engagement

Focus: Competency 1, 9

Topics

  • Professional networking strategies
  • Preparing for industry engagement
  • Question development and active listening

Activities

  • Visiting professional space(s)
  • Q&A sessions
  • Reflection and discussion

Assignment 7

Industry Speaker Review & Reflection

  • Research speaker/company background
  • Prepare professional questions
  • Summarize key insights and personal takeaways

Week 8: Interview Preparation & Presentation Skills

Focus: Competency 8

Topics

  • Interview etiquette and ethics
  • Common interview questions and responses
  • Presenting portfolio work professionally

Activities

  • Mock interviews
  • Portfolio presentation practice
  • Feedback and self-assessment

Deliverables

  • Interview question preparation sheet
  • Practice interview reflections
  • Revised portfolio presentation plan

Week 9: Internship Application Assembly

Focus: Integration of Competencies

Topics

  • Assembling complete application materials
  • Portfolio and resume refinement
  • Submission standards and professionalism

Activities

  • Final critique sessions
  • Instructor conferences
  • Application review workshops

Assignment 8

Complete Internship Application Package

  • Final resume
  • Cover letter
  • Portfolio links/files
  • Internship tracking updates

Week 10: Final Portfolio Presentation & Advisory Review

Focus: Integration of Competencies

Topics

  • Final portfolio presentation strategies
  • Professional reflection and growth
  • Salary, workplace expectations, and career readiness

Activities

  • Advisory board presentations
  • Peer and instructor feedback
  • Professional development discussions

Final Deliverables

  • Final print and digital portfolio
  • Complete professional application package
  • Formal portfolio presentation to peers and/or advisory board