Senior Sarah Maloy is a busy woman. Between her job at Billboard, writing five or more stories for music website Hypable everyday and position as Copy Chief at Thread Magazine, Maloy has her hands full. Since her freshmen year, she has been involved in a variety of clubs and this past summer; she tackled an internship at Billboard Magazine in New York City.
“It was one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had since college,” said Maloy “I learned more at Billboard than I’ve learned in any other journalism organization.”
At Billboard, Maloy had a variety of responsibilities. She worked in online, wrote on the music business, learned about the commercial side, and wrote for the magazine. She also had the chance to met celebrities, including Joe Jonas and Rebecca Black. She also got the chance to learn new skills in a PR, a field that is a part of her Car Van Anda major that combines her interest in PR, online and magazine journalism.
“I learned so much about how public relations works and works and what doesn’t by seeing how publicists treated me and seeing how they made their magic happen,” Maloy said.
Maloy’s advice to journalism students who need an internship is simple: intern in New York. Although she interned at the Dayton Daily News and a virtual internship at the Warped tour before going to Billboard, she recognized the need for a big internship in the city.
“I went with ED2010, a campus organization, to New York and we met with editors at Hearst, Details and Meredith,” said Maloy. “It became very clear to me that none of these people would hire me until I did an internship in New York.”
Maloy says that jobs after college are competitive so having high profile internships on a resume make a person stand out from the competition.
“Internships are important to get your foot in the door,” she said. “Obviously, the quality of your work is important, too. Once you’re in that internship, you have to make yourself shine and stand out. Otherwise, it’s a waste.”
Maloy was able to use her internship to leave her impression at Billboard and now writes for the website. She covers the new TV show the ‘X-Factor’ each week and does web production and design at www.billboard.biz. After graduation, Maloy would one day like to move to the West Coast or go back to New York.
“New York is where the majority of my industry is. Even if I move out there and don’t get a job and have to freelance for however long, I’m still better off being in New York where things are going on.”