Applying for writing internships is tough.
Doing so while in my first year of university, I’ve found, is tougher.
For the better part of my first semester, my attempts to find an internship followed the age-old cycle: I had very little professional experience, and everyone was looking for experienced writers. How could I break my way into ‘the industry’ when no one was looking for me?
However, come winter break I was lucky enough to notice the listing for an editorial intern at Women’s Post. After having done a bit of research – reading the articles, getting familiar with the magazine – I had to conclude the internship would be perfect for me.
Well, at the very least, it was an excellent opportunity that I wanted a shot at.
I spent hours working on my resume, my cover letter, and two sample pieces. When I sent them off I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best but, if I was honest, I didn’t expect much. After four months worth of thank you for your application, but we've gone another way, I was quite used to being rejected.
Imagine my surprise (and elation) when a reply came within minutes. I set up a phone interview with Taz, the publication’s web editor, and on the morning of, I was back to studying. I would know everything there was to know about this place, and that was that.
The interview went well, and the end result was that I would start my internship in the beginning of January. After thanking Taz – most likely profusely – and hanging up the phone, I did a little dance in my bedroom.
It’s my first day on the job now, and as I’m surrounded by the background noises of agile fingers click-clacking on keyboards, the long, slow beep of the printer, and the teasing back-and-forth of co-workers who’ve come to know each other well, I can only draw one conclusion…
I think I’m going to like it here.
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