For collegiettes™ who fantasize about one day ruling over the magazine industry with a red-tipped pen, an editorial internship at a world-renowned magazine is a dream come true…it certainly has been for me! I’ve been an editorial features intern at a top women’s magazine in NYC for three weeks now and I’ve loved every minute of it.
As an editorial intern, I don’t do coffee runs, I assist editors with research, conduct and transcribe interviews and pitch article ideas. I wanted to be a part of The Intern Diaries so I could share my experiences with other young women looking to succeed in the magazine industry. I’ve found that the best way to succeed is not to focus on being a shining star 100% of the time but to maintain a positive attitude throughout the summer, complete all your assignments on time and avoid these three potential major slip-ups:
The Top Three Ways To Turn Your Dream Internship Into A Nightmare
1) Brag about it – Most companies (especially in the magazine industry, where spreading rumors about upcoming articles or features could severely damage the integrity and success of the publication) have a very strict confidentiality policy. I know it’s tempting to tell your friends about all the fascinating research you’re doing or the conversations you’re having with important people but don’t crumble under the pressure. You could lose your internship if company information shows up on your facebook page or blog, or if you tweet about it.
2) Assume that you and your boss are BFFs – Editorial internships give you opportunities to work with you guessed it…editors! Getting the chance to speak to the people whose work you see in print every month can be a little bit of a head rush, especially when you discover that most editors and writers are pretty nice people. During my first week I was surprised to discover that staff members were genuinely interested in my passions and goals. If you find yourself sharing details about your personal life with your boss make sure to focus on the image of yourself that you want to promote. One of my bosses asked about my hobbies so I told her about my writing with Her Campus because it pertained to the internship and showed off my skills. Never forget that internships are all about maintaining a positive image in the mind of the people you’re working for and getting that great recommendation come August. Always keep your eye on that goal, and when you find yourself chatting with your boss, don’t confuse being friendly and professional with being friends.
3) Lose steam three weeks in – After the initial excitement wears off and your boss stop checking up on you every five minutes, its easy to become complacent. While it is definitely tempting to hit the snooze button, switch your not-so-comfortable Aldo wedges for flip-flops or flats and start sneaking peeks at your facebook page…don’t give in! Chances are your bosses have worked with their fair share of interns and they’ll be on the lookout for mid-summer slackers. To keep yourself in top intern-condition, try setting little goals for yourself. A few times a week I try to come in early, stay late, complete an extra assignment or wear a pair of power heels. Editors have definitely noticed and commented on my effort to work hard and impress.
Have any questions about editorial internships? Shoot me an email at amber.rambharose@hercampus.com and ask me anything, or follow me on twitter @amberdeexterous. I’d love to hear from you!