This unpaid intern recently came face to face with a most severe form of torture: having to transcribe an interview.
(Cue the horror movie music)
Last week I was fortunate enough to tag along on an interview with one of my mag's Above the Lines. I have to say, going to that interview has been the highlight of my internship thus far. Not only did I get to sit in on a seasoned journalist's interview, but the interview actually took place at one of Atlanta's most chic restaurants. It was my first "out of the office" task and, I have to say, it was awesome. I felt like a professional journalist as I sat there with a digital recorder, loving every minute of it.
But I had no idea of the sheer torture that was soon to follow. At the end of the day… I was asked to transcribe the hour-long interview…
(Gasp)
Okay, sorry, I'll cut the dramatics. Transcribing an interview really isn't that bad, honest! The only annoying thing about it is that it literally takes FOREVER. When I was asked to transcribe the interview, I figured it would take me an hour and a half tops. However, it took me upwards of seven hours to complete the task.
The thing about transcribing is that you, of course, have to write everything word for word, which can prove challenging when you can barely understand a word that was said. The interviewees from the day's interview, though each highly intelligent and very interesting, spoke very quickly and in very thick Southern accents that did not necessarily translate well onto the digital recorder. I constantly had to rewind and pause, rewind and pause, rewind and pause, as well as ask others around me for help as I tried to figure out what these people had said. In some circumstances, solitary words took me upwards of ten minutes to decipher.
Even though the whole transcription process was extremely drawn-out and boring, I'm actually glad I had to do it. Before completing this task, I had always scoffed at those Q&As featured in magazines. Honestly, I thought that Q&As were just the lazy form of journalism, that they took minutes to throw together. Now that I have actually gone through the transcription process, I have a newfound appreciation for them. From now on I will recognize that behind the seemingly effortless demeanor of a Q&A lies an intern—just like me—diligently typing it all out, word for word for (rewind, pause) word.
-Ed's Intern #3
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Hot-temp tips from Intern #2
Interning in a city like New York is a dream. That is, unless previously stated city is experiencing a record heat wave. When I say, "It's hot!" ... I'm not lying. I feel like sweat just became the trendy new accessory. So what's an intern to do when he's stripped of cash and looking for a solace from the unbearable heat? Getting into the "intern mindset" - I decided to be proactive and find a way to adapt to the changing environment: I've decided to compile a Top 5 list of things to do to combat the heat ... on an intern budget:
(1) GRAB SOME PINKBERRY - Pinkberry is an institution among ice-cream lovers. This fairly-new frozen yogurt joint serves some of the lightest frozen yogurt you'll find this side of the Mississippi. They also offer a variety of whimsical favorites to add atop your already-perfect Pinkberry. With choices ranging from Cap'N Crunch, blackberries, Cocoa Pebbles, and others, you're sure to find something you like. One small cup is $4. Pricey, but so worth it.
(2) RIDE THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY - Take the red-line (the 1 train) all the way down to South Ferry Station where you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry. The hour-long ride (to Staten Island and back) is free (yes, FREE!). It offers unbeatable views of downtown and passengers get the chance to feel the wind rushing through their hair... which feels good when all you've done is sweat your way down there.
(3) WANDER THROUGH MACY'S - With the loss of air-conditioned stores offering shelter from the sun, this giant behemoth of a superstore offers a complete climate change. Frigid temperatures keep wary shoppers at bay while the bustle of thousands of shoppers still gives you the illusion that you're "braving it" on the streets!
(4) BUY A FAN - This may seem like an obvious choice but you wouldn't imagine the lack of fans I've seen on New Yorkers lately. I mean, in THIS heat, you almost need a industrial-sized power fan to make it to work without sweating. You can get a great little "necklace fan" from Kmart at Astor Place for under $30 ... and it will go a long way.
(5) DRINK LOTS OF WATER - If you must brave it outside, at least keep this in mind. All that sweating that you're doing is losing a lot of your body's water supply. Make sure you drink as much water as you can to keep you hydrated and keep your body regulating its own core temperature.
I hope you keep these tips at hand next time you step outside. I'm warning you, it ain't pretty out there.
—Ed's Intern #2
(1) GRAB SOME PINKBERRY - Pinkberry is an institution among ice-cream lovers. This fairly-new frozen yogurt joint serves some of the lightest frozen yogurt you'll find this side of the Mississippi. They also offer a variety of whimsical favorites to add atop your already-perfect Pinkberry. With choices ranging from Cap'N Crunch, blackberries, Cocoa Pebbles, and others, you're sure to find something you like. One small cup is $4. Pricey, but so worth it.
(2) RIDE THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY - Take the red-line (the 1 train) all the way down to South Ferry Station where you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry. The hour-long ride (to Staten Island and back) is free (yes, FREE!). It offers unbeatable views of downtown and passengers get the chance to feel the wind rushing through their hair... which feels good when all you've done is sweat your way down there.
(3) WANDER THROUGH MACY'S - With the loss of air-conditioned stores offering shelter from the sun, this giant behemoth of a superstore offers a complete climate change. Frigid temperatures keep wary shoppers at bay while the bustle of thousands of shoppers still gives you the illusion that you're "braving it" on the streets!
(4) BUY A FAN - This may seem like an obvious choice but you wouldn't imagine the lack of fans I've seen on New Yorkers lately. I mean, in THIS heat, you almost need a industrial-sized power fan to make it to work without sweating. You can get a great little "necklace fan" from Kmart at Astor Place for under $30 ... and it will go a long way.
(5) DRINK LOTS OF WATER - If you must brave it outside, at least keep this in mind. All that sweating that you're doing is losing a lot of your body's water supply. Make sure you drink as much water as you can to keep you hydrated and keep your body regulating its own core temperature.
I hope you keep these tips at hand next time you step outside. I'm warning you, it ain't pretty out there.
—Ed's Intern #2
Monday, June 9, 2008
The dilemma of being oh-so-bored
So today was one of those really slow days at the office. Aside from a few little mini assignments my editors gave me, like to research for an upcoming travel story and organize some press releases, the majority of the day I felt very useless. I’ve been working here for about 3 weeks, and I find that there’s actually a lot of these slower days. Sometimes, I'll just be sitting at my desk, waiting to be assigned something—anything!—to do. Even if it’s just updating someone’s rolodex or making phone calls, hey, I’d be glad to do it!
Thanks to all my downtime, I've already read every issue of the magazine I'm interning for from the past 3 or so years, cover to cover, over and over again. I’ve also come up with some possible ideas to pitch to the editors. I’ve also used my downtime to memorize every employee’s phone extension (I’m not kidding), color-code my files and organize my desk (I’m kind of a neat freak). And of course, by this point I’ve exhausted my options for web browsing—I mean, there's only so many times a girl could check her e-mail (or, um, Facebook) in a day.
What I find to be the biggest dilemma in this situation is where to draw the line between taking initiative, and being annoying. Today, I asked my bosses when I first came in if there's anything they had for me to do. They’ll sporadically come to me with little assignments here and there throughout the day, and I’ll check in every so often with them, too. But I feel like by me going over to my bosses a couple times a day to ask how I can help them out is just annoying. I mean, of course I want to show them I’m ready to work and eager to help, but sometimes, so I hear, it’s not always so easy for the editors to find work for their interns. And the way I look at it is, my bosses know where to find me and they know I'd be glad to take on anything they ask me to do, right?
What do you guys think? Is it better to take the initiative or do you prefer to sit back and let most of the assignments come to you? Better yet, what do you do in your downtime? I’m sure all of us are dying for some suggestions.
In the meantime, I’m off to check my e-mail—for what’s easily the 20th time today.
Bored,
Ed Intern #1
Thanks to all my downtime, I've already read every issue of the magazine I'm interning for from the past 3 or so years, cover to cover, over and over again. I’ve also come up with some possible ideas to pitch to the editors. I’ve also used my downtime to memorize every employee’s phone extension (I’m not kidding), color-code my files and organize my desk (I’m kind of a neat freak). And of course, by this point I’ve exhausted my options for web browsing—I mean, there's only so many times a girl could check her e-mail (or, um, Facebook) in a day.
What I find to be the biggest dilemma in this situation is where to draw the line between taking initiative, and being annoying. Today, I asked my bosses when I first came in if there's anything they had for me to do. They’ll sporadically come to me with little assignments here and there throughout the day, and I’ll check in every so often with them, too. But I feel like by me going over to my bosses a couple times a day to ask how I can help them out is just annoying. I mean, of course I want to show them I’m ready to work and eager to help, but sometimes, so I hear, it’s not always so easy for the editors to find work for their interns. And the way I look at it is, my bosses know where to find me and they know I'd be glad to take on anything they ask me to do, right?
What do you guys think? Is it better to take the initiative or do you prefer to sit back and let most of the assignments come to you? Better yet, what do you do in your downtime? I’m sure all of us are dying for some suggestions.
In the meantime, I’m off to check my e-mail—for what’s easily the 20th time today.
Bored,
Ed Intern #1
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Greetings from London from Intern #4
There are about a million reasons why I shouldn't be in London right now. Well, several thousand at least.
I’m funding my own expenses, part-time jobs are scarce, and the value of my motherland dollar is worth about 47 pence. How far will 47 pence go in the most expensive city in the world?
To put it in perspective: a tall, non-fat latte from Starbucks at 2.70 GBP turns into about $5.70 after the exchange rate. A latte in London costs nearly as much as brunch in Manhattan.
Trust me, you don’t want to know what I’m paying for rent.
One benefit about interning in the states is the luxury of work, but it’s difficult when you’re not a citizen. Cash-in-hand work isn’t exactly a high-commodity as I’ve found so far. I've been here
almost three weeks, sent out over twenty CVs to restaurants, pubs, bars and have yet to find a job.
So why am spending my summer draining my savings account in the City of the Queen?
There’s only one reason. I was given the opportunity to work for a magazine; or, in other words, the study-abroad of my dreams.
I spent the past year in college sacrificing my social life as the chief features editor of my weekly college newspaper, and the early months of 2008 applying for internships like it was a part-time job! After I received a disappointing rejection letter from the New York internship I hoped for, I was sure my summer would be spent taking courses, and interning at a local newspaper.
Nearly a month before school ended, I received an e-mail from the editor of a young, Art and Fashion magazine based in London, offering an editorial internship.
Despite the fact that I had never even visited the city, had no idea where I would live, was aware of the pitiful value of the US dollar, and knew I wouldn’t be paid, I was certain that I was going. Given the modest balance of my savings account, it would be a challenge. But the experience I would get—from living independently in a foreign country as well as working for a magazine—I deemed priceless.
So far it has truly been an adventure. I find myself lost in the city almost weekly when I’m sent out on errands, but I’m getting the hang of it. I’m making new friends, still searching for jobs, learning the trades of cheap, healthy eating, and trying not to avoid the British social scene merely because I’m poor!
Stay tuned, Edsters. I’ll be here to tell you all about it, every Thursday and Sunday! Until then, I’m off! London is calling!
-Intern #4
I’m funding my own expenses, part-time jobs are scarce, and the value of my motherland dollar is worth about 47 pence. How far will 47 pence go in the most expensive city in the world?
To put it in perspective: a tall, non-fat latte from Starbucks at 2.70 GBP turns into about $5.70 after the exchange rate. A latte in London costs nearly as much as brunch in Manhattan.
Trust me, you don’t want to know what I’m paying for rent.
One benefit about interning in the states is the luxury of work, but it’s difficult when you’re not a citizen. Cash-in-hand work isn’t exactly a high-commodity as I’ve found so far. I've been here
almost three weeks, sent out over twenty CVs to restaurants, pubs, bars and have yet to find a job.
So why am spending my summer draining my savings account in the City of the Queen?
There’s only one reason. I was given the opportunity to work for a magazine; or, in other words, the study-abroad of my dreams.
I spent the past year in college sacrificing my social life as the chief features editor of my weekly college newspaper, and the early months of 2008 applying for internships like it was a part-time job! After I received a disappointing rejection letter from the New York internship I hoped for, I was sure my summer would be spent taking courses, and interning at a local newspaper.
Nearly a month before school ended, I received an e-mail from the editor of a young, Art and Fashion magazine based in London, offering an editorial internship.
Despite the fact that I had never even visited the city, had no idea where I would live, was aware of the pitiful value of the US dollar, and knew I wouldn’t be paid, I was certain that I was going. Given the modest balance of my savings account, it would be a challenge. But the experience I would get—from living independently in a foreign country as well as working for a magazine—I deemed priceless.
So far it has truly been an adventure. I find myself lost in the city almost weekly when I’m sent out on errands, but I’m getting the hang of it. I’m making new friends, still searching for jobs, learning the trades of cheap, healthy eating, and trying not to avoid the British social scene merely because I’m poor!
Stay tuned, Edsters. I’ll be here to tell you all about it, every Thursday and Sunday! Until then, I’m off! London is calling!
-Intern #4
The big move
My car was too full.
I had just packed up my petite '99 Camry to its complete capacity, though I still had plenty left I wanted to bring. So I had no choice but to unpack and repack, leaving behind half of my things. It truly was Sophie's choice: do I bring the mattress cover or the French Connection dress? Should I bring that fifth pair of black pumps or the dust buster? Do I sacrifice the TV or the iron and ironing board?
After making these painful and dramatic decisions and ultimately leaving behind plenty of my belongings solely so that my wardrobe would not suffer, I was ready to complete the six-hour drive from my beachside college-town to big city Atlanta.
I was moving to Atlanta for my first ever magazine internship. Though the ambitious part of me was stoked to get such an amazing internship, the (former) party-girl part of me was slightly devastated. I had spent the past two summers essentially partying at the beach without a care in the world, and now here I was, sacrificing another summer of fun in the sun to move to a city where I literally didn't know a soul. However, I had decided to (wo)man up and spend a summer focusing on my future career. I'm (technically) an adult, so it was time I grew up.
Thus began my journey from fun-loving 21-year-old college student to mature, big-time-magazine intern. I've been here for three weeks so far and, surprisingly, completely love it. Though it kills me when my friends back home call to tell me all about a crazy party they went to that night or how much fun it was at the beach that day, I'm beyond glad to be here. This internship is amazing and well-worth the lack of social life. I've already had clips go to press for the July issue and have also written one of the lead features for the August issue! Of course, I do have the annoying typical intern duties like moving boxes and mailing things, but I also get to write a bunch, so I really can't complain. From the way things are going so far, I can tell it's going to be my best summer yet, even without all that fun in the sun.
—Intern #3
I had just packed up my petite '99 Camry to its complete capacity, though I still had plenty left I wanted to bring. So I had no choice but to unpack and repack, leaving behind half of my things. It truly was Sophie's choice: do I bring the mattress cover or the French Connection dress? Should I bring that fifth pair of black pumps or the dust buster? Do I sacrifice the TV or the iron and ironing board?
After making these painful and dramatic decisions and ultimately leaving behind plenty of my belongings solely so that my wardrobe would not suffer, I was ready to complete the six-hour drive from my beachside college-town to big city Atlanta.
I was moving to Atlanta for my first ever magazine internship. Though the ambitious part of me was stoked to get such an amazing internship, the (former) party-girl part of me was slightly devastated. I had spent the past two summers essentially partying at the beach without a care in the world, and now here I was, sacrificing another summer of fun in the sun to move to a city where I literally didn't know a soul. However, I had decided to (wo)man up and spend a summer focusing on my future career. I'm (technically) an adult, so it was time I grew up.
Thus began my journey from fun-loving 21-year-old college student to mature, big-time-magazine intern. I've been here for three weeks so far and, surprisingly, completely love it. Though it kills me when my friends back home call to tell me all about a crazy party they went to that night or how much fun it was at the beach that day, I'm beyond glad to be here. This internship is amazing and well-worth the lack of social life. I've already had clips go to press for the July issue and have also written one of the lead features for the August issue! Of course, I do have the annoying typical intern duties like moving boxes and mailing things, but I also get to write a bunch, so I really can't complain. From the way things are going so far, I can tell it's going to be my best summer yet, even without all that fun in the sun.
—Intern #3
It's Fashion Journalism, Y'all
Over the past few years, I have had my fair share of fashion-related encounters. I've interned for two big-name, high-profile women's magazines. I've even played bookings assistant. Over time, I've amassed mountains of free shwag that range from clothing to thousand-dollar handbags to make-up and jewelry. Essentially, I've been living every fashionista's dream ... the only difference is that I'm a guy. And I'm totally okay with that. I won't lie, it's been nice to get to see prototypes of the fashion world LONG before those outside of the fashion magazine world get to. There are tons of perks to working in fashion journalism but the best perk of all is that I've beat the odds to reach my dreams.
Growing up in the Deep South has had it ups and downs. You will never meet anyone more mannered or genial than Southerners. I'm proud to be a thick-accented member of southern culture. Southerners have a keen sense of community, which often distracts from other "important" life choices: like fashion. When you grow up around people who would rather groom their pot-bellied pigs rather than themselves, you'd think that fashion journalism is that last place a boy from the South would end up. But here I am. And I'm here to stay.
People told me that I wouldn't make it or that it is going to take a lot to get a boy from the South with no fashion experience a job at a major magazine. But as stubborn, independent spirit, I didn't listen to any of them. That was the best choice I have ever made. Not only did I get called back for interviews at 10 magazines that first summer, but I got offers from 8 of them! [to my reader: Don't EVER let anyone tell you that because of WHO you are, you won't make it. Show out on them and prove them wrong!]
This summer, I'll be working for an esteemed magazine publishing company. I'm excited to get a chance to work in a different field than my previous internships have included. With a focus on art and less on fashion, I'll get the chance to run in a much-different circle. I believe this change will open up a whole new set of doors for me within the magazine publishing world.
Because I'm graduating so very soon (it can't come sooner), I'm looking to create lasting connections that can help me in finding my dream job. I know its out there. I suppose I can't sit on my butt and wait for it to scream my name. This summer, I plan to wholly put myself out there in the job world. I WILL find that job that was meant for me.
I hope over the course of this summer, my readers will get an insight into the life of an intern that beat the odds. I will give readers a chance to see what the day-to-day life of an intern is like: what is the dress code?, where do interns eat?, how do we pay for anything on a petty salary? ... I know these questions are burning in your mind. Tune in for the answers SO very soon. Until then, happy hunting for your dream internships.
I'll see y'all soon,
Ed's Intern #2
Growing up in the Deep South has had it ups and downs. You will never meet anyone more mannered or genial than Southerners. I'm proud to be a thick-accented member of southern culture. Southerners have a keen sense of community, which often distracts from other "important" life choices: like fashion. When you grow up around people who would rather groom their pot-bellied pigs rather than themselves, you'd think that fashion journalism is that last place a boy from the South would end up. But here I am. And I'm here to stay.
People told me that I wouldn't make it or that it is going to take a lot to get a boy from the South with no fashion experience a job at a major magazine. But as stubborn, independent spirit, I didn't listen to any of them. That was the best choice I have ever made. Not only did I get called back for interviews at 10 magazines that first summer, but I got offers from 8 of them! [to my reader: Don't EVER let anyone tell you that because of WHO you are, you won't make it. Show out on them and prove them wrong!]
This summer, I'll be working for an esteemed magazine publishing company. I'm excited to get a chance to work in a different field than my previous internships have included. With a focus on art and less on fashion, I'll get the chance to run in a much-different circle. I believe this change will open up a whole new set of doors for me within the magazine publishing world.
Because I'm graduating so very soon (it can't come sooner), I'm looking to create lasting connections that can help me in finding my dream job. I know its out there. I suppose I can't sit on my butt and wait for it to scream my name. This summer, I plan to wholly put myself out there in the job world. I WILL find that job that was meant for me.
I hope over the course of this summer, my readers will get an insight into the life of an intern that beat the odds. I will give readers a chance to see what the day-to-day life of an intern is like: what is the dress code?, where do interns eat?, how do we pay for anything on a petty salary? ... I know these questions are burning in your mind. Tune in for the answers SO very soon. Until then, happy hunting for your dream internships.
I'll see y'all soon,
Ed's Intern #2
My first intern diary
Oh, to be a measly little intern. Coffee runs, filing, photocopying—I’m sure we’ve all had our fair share.
But if anyone knows what it’s like to be an intern in this not-always-so-glamorous industry, I would definitely be one of them. I’ve already got plenty of intern experience under my belt, and I guess I can credit that to living in and going to school in the New York area. And this summer, I’ll be doing my 4th and 5th internships.
You’re probably already thinking, “This girl is insane! Working 5 days a week as an unpaid intern during the summer?!” But please, don’t be quick to judge. I actually kind of like being an intern. Even if I’m just doing product returns or sifting through press releases, I’m still so excited to be even a small part of the magazine world—one which I’ve aspired to be part of since I opened my first issue of YM(R.I.P) at the ripe age of 12.
And unlike the bulk of magazine interns who are out-of-towners coming to dorm in NYC for the summer, I’ll be commuting into the city 3 times a week(an hour each way!) to my internship at a national women’s magazine. The other two days, I’ll be at a national women’s website that’s located right outside NYC.
And lucky for you, edsters, I’ll be blogging twice weekly till the end of the summer about my trials and tribulations as an intern. I’ll be sharing with you everything that I experience throughout my internships, from intimidating editors (and believe me, there are plenty!) and my long, tiring commute, to the jobs’ perks, like getting tons of free beauty products, dozens of contacts, and yes, even bylines.
So, fellow edsters, if throughout the course of your summer internship you find yourself feeling as if you’re unappreciated and unimportant, just know that you are definitely not alone. And just look at it as I do—in the end, all your hard work will be soooo worth it.
And please feel free to leave your comments here. Hey, it’s always good to compare our experiences—and commiserate about our misfortunes—that come along with being at the bottom of the magazine food chain.
Happy interning, and stay tuned!
Ed's Intern #1
But if anyone knows what it’s like to be an intern in this not-always-so-glamorous industry, I would definitely be one of them. I’ve already got plenty of intern experience under my belt, and I guess I can credit that to living in and going to school in the New York area. And this summer, I’ll be doing my 4th and 5th internships.
You’re probably already thinking, “This girl is insane! Working 5 days a week as an unpaid intern during the summer?!” But please, don’t be quick to judge. I actually kind of like being an intern. Even if I’m just doing product returns or sifting through press releases, I’m still so excited to be even a small part of the magazine world—one which I’ve aspired to be part of since I opened my first issue of YM(R.I.P) at the ripe age of 12.
And unlike the bulk of magazine interns who are out-of-towners coming to dorm in NYC for the summer, I’ll be commuting into the city 3 times a week(an hour each way!) to my internship at a national women’s magazine. The other two days, I’ll be at a national women’s website that’s located right outside NYC.
And lucky for you, edsters, I’ll be blogging twice weekly till the end of the summer about my trials and tribulations as an intern. I’ll be sharing with you everything that I experience throughout my internships, from intimidating editors (and believe me, there are plenty!) and my long, tiring commute, to the jobs’ perks, like getting tons of free beauty products, dozens of contacts, and yes, even bylines.
So, fellow edsters, if throughout the course of your summer internship you find yourself feeling as if you’re unappreciated and unimportant, just know that you are definitely not alone. And just look at it as I do—in the end, all your hard work will be soooo worth it.
And please feel free to leave your comments here. Hey, it’s always good to compare our experiences—and commiserate about our misfortunes—that come along with being at the bottom of the magazine food chain.
Happy interning, and stay tuned!
Ed's Intern #1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)