If you missed the first “Internships” training workshop with the Internship Coordinator from the Orlando Sentinel, Dana Eagles, you can catch the second round on October 12.
Going after the internship:
- Go after smaller organizations
- Look at local media and beyond for more chances and different experiences
- Create your own internship by helping out an organization
- Network
- Apply widely
- Check application requirements, meet deadlines, and beware of postmarks
- Browse websites such as
*Ed2010.com
*journailsmjobs.com
*poynterinstitute.org
*asne.org/internships (American Society of News Editors)
*etc.
Resumes & cover letters:
- Resumes should be:
*simple, one page, consistent in structure
*have email and cell phone contacts
*list experience in reverse chronological order (most recent to least)
*list major, expected graduation date, languages, and “exotic” software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
- Cover Letter should:
*be simple and straight-forward
*address why you want the internship
*address what you offer that others don’t
*address how your interest in the company aligns with your career interests
*demonstrate familiarity with the organization
*tell the story behind the story
*If you explain how the process of writing a particular article was meaningful, INCLUDE THE CLIP
- References should be:
*at least 3 working journalists or professors who know your work
*part of the resume, not only upon request
*NO FRIENDS as references
*the kind of people who will return phone calls
Clips:
*Having some enterprise and breaking news clips is a good idea
*Don’t send originals or oversized work (8x11 copies are the best way)
*Use paperclips to keep papers (clips and resume) together when presenting them on an interview
*Don’t ask editors to print out your work
*Visual journalism and some written work (depending on organization) be on a CD,DVD, PDF. file, or linked from an online source
