I was just looking around on the message boards at media bistro, and some of the posters had some very negative things to say about interning after you graduate college (that it’s a waste of time, shows editors you don’t think you are capable of taking a real job, or that you didn’t get the job you wanted, etc). My question is, is it really such a bad thing to do? I didn’t decide that I wanted to work in the magazine industry until this past summer, and took an internship with a regional magazine for the fall semester (I go to school in a small town, so its a small publication). I made the decision to move to new york, but I didn’t think I had enough experience to land a job right away so I took an internship for the spring semester at a major publication. It seems like a fantastic opportunity and I am very excited about it, but after reading those post I’m beginning to question if that was the right decision.
Since I like this message board better, I thought I would ask here—have I hurt my chances of getting job later by taking a post-grad internship now? What are your thoughts on interning after you graduate?
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Nice articles, but I am not clearreplica handbags
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I graduated last May & now
I graduated last May & now have an internship. Getting an internship is essential because you learn more after graduating & employers always look to see if you updated your skills. I’m sure you can tell from previous postings on this board, how frustrating it is to get a full-time job, sometimes landing an internship is the way to get your foot in the door. If the editors like you & the work you put in, they might offer you a position, if not, you will always have connections to help you further yourself in this business.
Even though I enjoyed the education I got while in college, I am learning more with this internship. I don’t think I could have gotten what it is like to work in a magazine publication in a classroom. I am getting first-hand experience, even if I am working at the bottom (every bit helps). There is nothing wrong with being an intern after college, I have read previous posters asking if its okay to be an intern around the mid-late 20’s. I think its more than okay, b/c in life some people want to change careers & you don’t realize it till later in life. You do what makes makes you happy. I don’t even think it matters how many internships you have, because its all a matter of timing. You just have to push yourself more. As most internships are unpaid, then freelance on the side or get a part time job. Magazine publications are more interested in what you can do for them & how your abilities will fit the publication. When you feel confident enough your experience, then go look for a paid full-time position. Good luck with everything.
zzzz
This topic has been beaten to death.
You have to take an internship after you graduate and no, it doesn’t look bad because it’s the only choice. The end.
my apologies, I didn’t
my apologies, I didn’t realize this was question was “beaten to death”. but I think if you are new to this industry, maybe it’s not such a tired question to ask.
thank you for the honest advice—I really appreciate it!
Ah, MB. I’ve been a lurker
Ah, MB. I’ve been a lurker there for several years now, and it’s a love/hate relationship for me. Since the site caters to all facets of media you get posters from all over the spectrum, not just magazine editorial. And while this makes for great diversity of opinion and backgrounds, it also means that there’s a lot of advice given that’s not necessarily the most helpful. So I’d say that you take their comments with many grains of salt. The most active - and opinionated - posters tend to be older freelancers, not magazine editors. They’re pretty disconnected from the entry-level mag world.
Post-grad internships have turned into all but a necessity. Without mine, I highly doubt I would have landed my first editor job. With the scarcity of entry-level jobs, post-grad internships are a way to keep your resume current and up your experience, especially if you’re a latecomer to the industry. With that said, though, you have to draw the line somewhere - you don’t want to risk looking like you’re always the intern, never the staffer (to mangle an old adage). IMHO, a few internships are fine during the first year after graduation (depending on the number), but you should be moving onto bigger and (paying) things after that point.
~lifeisbetteredited