I’ve decided I want to go to the big “J-School” and get my masters in journalism. I’ve been researching schools, reading books on how to get in and get what I want out of the experience, and started studying for the GRE. As I research, however, it seems like I won’t be able to get into the bad-ass programs I want to get into without having some professional experience and two or three articles aren’t going to cut it. We’re talking the INTERNSHIP.
Since I want to write long form, cultural/international articles for magazines, it would be best to intern with a magazine. The problem is, there aren’t many magazines in Austin and the few that do exist have the sort of competition for their limited internships that I am facing in the grad school arena. Even the Chronicle claims to get hundreds of intern applications for their unpaid internships — how bad is it at Texas Monthly?
I am feeling Behind in a big way. I want to go to school next fall but maybe I should wait and use an extra year to prepare and get more articles under my belt (and hopefully the sought-after internship). But I have a fire in my pants and want to go to school and kick some journalistic ass now! Meanwhile, I must feed myself.
Trauma.
abby | 15-Aug-03 at 1:25 am | Permalink
hmm. well, definitely take the GRE sooner rather than later. it’s best to get it over with.
check to see if there are any courses you could take now that would allow you waive a required grad school class. and then maybe connections through the class would get you an internship.
i can’t believe that there isn’t a single magazine in the Austin area that doesn’t need an intern–even a free one for 10-15 hours a week?
maybe these people would let you do some writing for them in exchange for some online work? they’re not in austin, though: http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Ad_Intern.cfm?JobID=327610
you’ll find some way to demonstrate experience. keep the faith! i know you can do this.
narrator | 15-Aug-03 at 11:26 am | Permalink
Thanks for the kind words! Although the link above might not work for me, the web site had many intern positions that basically allow you to write and get clippings. Perhaps a first step to Texas Monthly and beyond.
I shall prevail!
bug | 15-Aug-03 at 1:43 pm | Permalink
You are not allowed to leave Austin until I have lived there at least five years. See clause 138 of your contract, you will see that this is a serious breach and that there are considerable penalties associated. CONSIDERABLE!
db | 15-Aug-03 at 6:57 pm | Permalink
To me, the Chronicle seems like the worst place to hunt up an internship: everyone in Austin knows of it and it seems to be even more of a friend-of-a-friend hiring policy than most places. You’re probably better off finding something a bit more specialized. Of course, I have no idea what that would be, and thus am of no help, but.
Kia | 15-Aug-03 at 8:23 pm | Permalink
I interned at the Chicago Tribune, back in the day, and I still know some folks who work for the giant Trib machine (as real life journalists even!)..
If you want I could politely inquire as to the best way to pass on a resume for an internship. Probably not much of anything in Austin though.
Same goes for the Santa Barbara News Press! I have connections! You know you want to move to California!
… I can dream, can’t I?
narrator | 16-Aug-03 at 2:04 pm | Permalink
1) I’m not looking for an internship at the Chronicle, but as I was scouting I did notice they mentioned how many apps they get.
2) In the fine print of the Permanent Locatin in Austin Contract, Section 404, I see that I may leave Austin for up to 14 contiguous months without severe penalty as long as I return having had adventures. If gone for over three months a small penalty of being spanked an awful lot by a cute boy in a kilt will be inflicted, to which I will be forced to submit (SUBMIT I TELL YOU) to such punishment to teach me a lesson.
3) Any information anyone can glean on the best way to land this sort of thing is greatly appreciated. In fact, I’m having coffee with a local journalist this week who I’m hoping can give me intern/publishing/acceptance tips.
Looking under rocks and at car wrecks!