I see the journalism industry has crashed around you. Please hire me?

December 22, 2008 1:30 AM

I'm a sophomore in college looking for a journalism or public relations internship in NYC this summer. (I know, right?) So where am I going wrong?

I do realize the journalism industry has gone down the toilet lately.

I have living arrangements in New York this summer, and am searching for a job to complement my apartment. I will happily accept an unpaid internship in either public relations/marketing or magazine/web journalism. I have experience in both areas -- probably less experience in marketing (I interned at an ad agency last summer, but I study journalism at a very well-known j-school and am an editor at one of the big campus publications).

So I will basically offer myself up for free (or for pay, I mean, but I can't be picky) to any publication or agency that will hire me. Unfortunately, it seems every other fledgling journalism student will do the same. I don't want to operate under the presumption that I will land an internship at any of the "big" NY magazine/web corps, so I'm looking for something a little...different.

Craigslist has so far been a crapshoot (not just for me, but for others applying past years). The jobs posted to our school's job board tend to be highly competitive. Where else is there to look? I have no "ins" in the NY media world, as I'm from nowheresville in the Midwest. Are there any small (web)magazines (along the lines of Time Out NY) who may be looking for free labor that you could direct me towards? Could cold emails to smaller publications help me, or would they just be relegated to the "never-answered" bin?

In case I haven't been succinct:
* Are there any alternative venues/methods to finding either journalism or marketing/pr summer internships in NY?
* What small (web)magazines might hire summer interns? And are cold emails welcome?
* Or is it just simply too early to look? I know several people who have already landed summer internships, and the school HIGHLY encourages us to find one ASAP -- but if I keep ruthlessly applying to Craigslist postings, etc., is there a decent chance I will find an "employment match"?

posted by elisabethjw to work & money (10 answers total)

I wouldn't be applying to craigslist stuff unless 1)they list the name of the magazine and 2) you recognize it. Otherwise, you may get burned badly. FOr example, Marketing/PR internships may be having you doing sales on the street or canvassing, rather than getting the kind of experience you actually want. Since you are applying from out of town, it is ESPECIALLY important that you know exactly what this internship will have you working on.

You may be a bit early for some of the Summer positions. For example, NY Magazine is only putting out ads for their Spring Semester Interns right now. I would try to compile a list, see if any of the websites have Summer internships positions posted (Apply if they do) and if they don't send an email asking if they will be having a Summer position and when to apply for that.

Check out Ad Age and Advertising Age magazines, I had a friend in college that worked at one of those two as an intern, and even got a stipend for it.
posted by piratebowling at 3:42 AM on December 22, 2008

You're also early for the Time Out NY Summer internship. (They will take applications for Summer internship through the first Friday in April).

Also, if you haven't checked out MediaBistro yet, you should. They won't all be up your alley, but you may find a person to ask about a summer position with there.
posted by piratebowling at 3:48 AM on December 22, 2008

It looks like you are doing a good beat for Northwestern. That good, that is usually the fastest way to get good experience and not be completely dependent on the arcane internship process. I seriously recommend that you apply to a trade magazine, collection and craft magazines and skip nearly all of the magazines you read at Barnes and Noble except Cat Fancy and Esopus, where you should apply. A family friend has told me on more than one occasion that these are the only ones that survive a sustained economic downturn because their ad pages will stay up or in the case of Esopus, publication is supported independently by the only truly forward-thinking editor in New York.
posted by parmanparman at 4:47 AM on December 22, 2008

The way to find a journalism internship is not to pick the city first. I know that's not the answer you're looking for, but your long-term goal is to be in communications, not to spend the summer in New York. If you're OK with waitressing all summer and not getting any experience in PR or journalism, then by all means stay tied to New York (and, really that might be an OK plan), but if you're looking for good work experience, you simply cannot have your heart set on one city.
posted by Airhen at 7:21 AM on December 22, 2008

I did this four years ago and interned at Esquire -- like you, I had no in with the journalism world.

I wrote about 100 cover letters and sent them out, with clips. First I went through my school's alumni directory (which you should do -- there are people working at these places) and wrote an email that said "Hi! I'm a junior and studying blah blah blah, and here are my clips from the student newspaper. I was wondering if you could tell me how you got from A to B." A high number wrote back.

If they wrote back, I followed up and asked if I could send my clips. No one worked at Esquire - that was a cold letter sent in the mail, with clips. When I found out I got an interview, I went to the library and read up on a whole bunch of back issues, so I could talk about the history of the magazine.

If you're going unpaid, I wouldn't stop at trades or Cat Fancy. Every place takes unpaid interns, and you might as well throw as much out there as possible.
posted by melodykramer at 8:09 AM on December 22, 2008

Oops -- I didn't send clips twice -- only if they followed up.
posted by melodykramer at 8:12 AM on December 22, 2008

Have you browsed ED2010 (http://www.ed2010.com/)? I'd sign up for their newsletter (jobs sometimes hit here before the site) and keep an eye on:
http://www.ed2010.com/jobs/whisperjobs
http://www.ed2010.com/ed-campus/internships/list
http://archives.zinester.com/5557
"A daily email to keep you up to date on magazine industry news, whisper jobs, internships and Ed2010 events and programs."

They also have some first hand experiences that you might find enlightening.

-Virgil

background:
How Ed Was Born

Ed2010 started in 1998 when founder and president Chandra (Czape) Turner was an editorial assistant. She and a friend decided to meet up with other magazine whippersnappers and swap job secrets and advice. Soon more and more people started coming to our little Happy Hours and she started an e-newsletter with mag news and jobs she’d heard about. Who knew it’d catch on?

Ed2010 has since grown to 30-plus cities and two dozen college campuses—including IU— throughout the United States, Canada and the UK. Now we have a staff of 25 volunteers at Ed Headquarters in NYC who organize panel discussions, the mentor program, special events and classes. The newsletter is still going strong — it now includes news items about the industry, Ed events, and select job listings. Tell us what you think about Ed. We’re always open to suggestions.
posted by vporter at 8:33 AM on December 22, 2008

I agree that part of your problem is also that you're applying a little early. Nothing wrong with early, but don't be surprised if you're not hearing back from anyone because nobody's really thinking that far ahead just yet. Most major publications have summer internship programs. National Geographic has one, Washington Post has one (I know I know, you have a place to stay in New York, just saying). It's been a while since I've applied for internships, but those programs usually seem to have their deadlines near the end of winter or spring though (and usually very competitive to say the least).

Also are you making it very clear in your cover letters, etc. that you are in New York for sure? One thing I had pounded into my head a bit by the career folks and profs were to make sure your maybe employer knows you ARE going to be in New York. Even if there's an inkling that they're dealing with someone who is kinda sorta relocating, unless you're absolutely fabulously brilliant "OMG MUST HIRE THEM" they'll pass over you for the next candidate who is already in the city or has made it clear they will be. Not you might be, or willing to move there for the summer, but that you will be there for the summer. Even if it meant saying and planning for, "I'll be available from the dates of XX-XX to meet in person to learn about further opportunities, so you can reach me at XXXXXXX to schedule a meeting," whether in the spring or at the beginning of summer. Though if you're this serious and this far ahead and reallycertain you'll be in NYC for the summer, you may need to plan on setting up some of these meetings over spring break. I never did the spring break thing, but whew, I would not advise that sort of slackassery I thought I was perpetuating compared to some of my more ambitious classmates, because, damn, some of those summers were scary/nail-biting.

So you're at NU? This might sound like a duh, question then, but have you checked with Medill's Career Services office already? It's not a silver bullet, but they should at least be able to offer some leads as in listings. And they definitely list internships and things that require less than three years of experience on their site/newsletter.

If the above option's already been exhausted, does Medill still do the internship program sophomore year? Ugh, I'm old, so my memory's not what it used to be so I forget what they called that thing exactly. "Teaching Media" I believe, but you know, the one where you're packed off to newspaper/broadcast/magazine to do a quarter of "internship." Anyhow, ask for a copy of the listings of Teaching Media locations (they'll have one every year because students need to pick their top three choices out of it). It'll come with description as well as contacts. Then just send a bunch of resumes and clips to the ones you'd want to work at.

Do you have an advisor or a professor you are fairly friendly with? I'd also go talk to them about any leads for employment. Sometimes they know of places or editors you can speak to because they keep in touch with some alums.

But yea, basically be ready to work anywhere, the point is you want experience/clips. Consumer's cool, so is trade. If you're super lucky or ambitious enough to start molding your career now, that's awesome, but I'd work someplace that can offer solid experience even if it wasn't the sexiest publication.
posted by kkokkodalk at 12:05 PM on December 22, 2008

Go to the website of the outlet you're interesting in working for. Click on jobs or careers. They may have contact information for internship inquiries. Otherwise, call their main number, ask to speak to the news editor or news director, and ask. This is how journalism works -- nagging. A lot of outlets are hiring more interns because they can't afford more employees.

Also, if you're looking to actually begin a journalism career, consider broadcast or online outlets. Print publications are dying.

<-- journalist, eight years of experience, regrets not going into high tech like her dad, also a journalist, had recommended.
posted by bondgirl53001 at 4:08 PM on December 23, 2008

Find the right person.

I'm currently interning in journalism, in Canada. Myself and 9 others have year-long paid internships at a major Canadian daily.

Apart from applying on time, to the 'program' it was about finding the right person. Many people just sent their apps to "To whom it may concern" or "City editor" etc. These sort of documents get ignored.

If you're a journalist put that investigative and curious part of you to good use. Find out as much about company X, more than what's on their website. Like, ask to go for an informational interview with one of their jr. staffers. Look up past interns, and ask them questions. Or, seek out present interns and mine them for information.

I employed the above techniques for a magazine job I applied for. When called for an interview the editor asked how I know of upcoming projects, and certain names, they were almost certain I "knew" someone (journalism and pr are pretty incestuous) so, they were curious.

Surprise people. Cold calling works, rarely, you'll often corner yourself. Your best bet, research, research, research. Then write letters like there's no tomorrow.

good luck.
posted by mistertoronto at 8:37 PM on December 31, 2008