Let’s Talk About Internships


Lately, I’ve been getting quite a few emails from people asking me about my internship. It’s something I hardly bring up on here, however, I thought it would be good to address some of the questions I get asked and to answer any general questions I’ve come across on the internet. So, for the rest of this week, I’m going to be posting something internship related. Today, I’ll be writing about getting the internship. I hope you find this helpful, or at least entertaining!

First off, for those of you who don’t know, I intern at Teen Vogue in their photo department and have been doing so since December. My duty is to help the Photo Assistant, Associate Photo Editor, and Photo Director in their every day tasks. Those tasks can include anything from handing out calendars, to picking up curtains in Soho and taking them to a shoot in the Bronx. There are days when there is a lot of work and there are days when there is hardly any work, however, the most important thing in an internship (I think) is to have a positive attitude in whatever tasks your assigned. I don’t care if its scrubbing the toilets (even though I hope this doesn’t happen to you), put a smile on and get scrubbing.

How To Get The Internship
This is one of the questions I get asked the most. Not just from people emailing me, but from friends looking for an internship as well. In short, I found my internship through Ed2010, a very helpful website that posts magazine internships as well as jobs, and other helpful information on internships. While browsing the site, I saw a post that said Teen Vogue was looking for a photo intern. Immediately after, I sent in my cover letter and resume. Thankfully, I heard back the next day — they wanted me to come in for an interview the following week and so, I did just that.

Before my interview, I googled “Teen Vogue Photo Intern” to learn a little bit about the position I was interviewing for (it shows that you really want the internship), and printed out my resume–something that is pretty important. One of the first internships I interviewed for was at ELLE in the beauty department. No one had ever told that I should bring my resume (even though, now that I think back, it’s kind of common sense to do so) and so when she asked me for my resume, I kind of stared at her in shock–I didn’t have one for her. Needless to say, I didn’t get that internship (but it was okay, the next day I was offered an internship at Fashionista.com where I really wanted to intern.) Anyway, at my interview with Teen Vogue, I made sure to know a little bit about my position, some of the photographers Teen Vogue usually commissions, and of course, my resume! The interview was short, but I felt pretty confident and lived up to one my of mantras: positive thoughts equal positive outcomes. The next day, I made sure to thank the photo assistant, Mardi, for taking the time to interview me and reiterated my interest in interning for the magazine. A few days later, Mardi emailed me to tell me I had been chosen to intern at the magazine. I was really happy.

Anyway, that’s my story, however, not every ones story is the same. I was lucky enough to come across that internship online, however, if there is a department at a magazine you really would like to intern at, don’t hesitate to reach out to them through email or snail mail. A lot of internships also get posted through school websites or programs so make sure to check there as well. Just remember a few key things when going through the process: make sure your cover letter is precise, eloquent, and to the point. Also keep those three things in mind when putting together your resume. When going into your interview, make sure to look nice, to have some knowledge of the department your interviewing for, and to have your resume! It’s always nice to follow up the following day with an email to reiterate your interest and to thank them. From my knowledge, these things are pretty important and I think they’ll help you to land that internship you really want.

Stay tuned for tomorrows post regarding what to wear!

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  • Vivian A. Jaime

    Not just because you are my daughter, but you are AMAZING!

  • elizabeth jaime

    Moooommmmm you’re making me blush!!!

  • Nlabiada

    Hi Eli. What. An experience! And u get to live in one of the coolest places on earth! Hope u r doing well and we miss u. I keep up to date from Stephie. Love u – Nati :) BTW, I hit dislike by mistake & don’t know how to remove it. I hit like after so I hope that fixed it. Sorry! I’m a disaster.

  • http://the-pretty-secrets.blogspot.com Sandy Joe

    Your mom’s comment just made this post for me! 

    The follow up is definitely key! This is great advice.

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  • http://theimpossiblegirl.blogspot.com Desiree MacDonald

    Thanks for the tips!
    Desiree
    http://theimpossiblegirl.blogspot.com

  • http://believeinfaerytales.blogspot.com Laura Hueto Puig

    You are so right! I’m looking for internships myself, and whenever I do get one, I always focus on smiling, being positive and working hard. Thanks for sharing your experience!! :)
    PS: I love mom comments!! :D

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  • Anonymous

    Your welcome! Hope it helps :)

  • Anonymous

    I agree, follow up is a must! Also, my mom will be happy to see her post was a hit, haha!

  • Anonymous

    Haha, it’s okay! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Miss you guys too. What is your phone number so we can be in touch? If you don’t want to post your number on here, just email it to me: elizabethvjaime@gmail.com

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  • http://NorthOnHarper.com Alexis of NorthOnHarper

    Your story is great.  I am going to share it with my sister (who will be looking for an internship next year…..

  • Jennifer Rose

    Good information for college students looking to land the ideal internship.  It sounds like you have interned at some pretty amazing places.  I wish I knew all this when I was in college looking for an internship.  Best of luck to you.

    http://jrosestyle.blogspot.com

  • http://profiles.google.com/josineallee Josine Allee

    What a helpful article,I’ll bookmark for when I’m looking for an internship, gotta start Febr. 2012!* Thank you SO much for your tips =)

    xXx

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  • http://fashionistable.com Fashionistable

    Great positive post. When I started out as an assistant I had the same attitude it takes you a long way. Hope your internships soon turn in to a full-time post for you. Xxxx

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  • http://seamstress-stories.blogspot.com poet

    You are really lucky! I have to disagree with the scrubbing-the-toilets part though: Contracts aside, whoever you’re interning for has a moral obligation to give you something useful to learn in the field for which you were employed, just as much as you have a moral obligation to do your work well – and that includes speaking up for yourself if you’re given demeaning work that wasn’t in the job description! Politeness and enthusiasm are important career boosters, but so is keeping your backbone!

  • http://twitter.com/FearlessBfS Donna D

    Very ‘to the point’ and helpful post! I never realized how good ED2010 is, so I’m glad to know you found your internship through that site. I look forward to reading more on your internship journey!!

    Danah
    panacheoffblast.blogspot.com

  • Anonymous

    You make a very good point. As long as your tasks falls within the “useful” category, I think you’re good. However, once you find yourself packing lunches for your bosses, I think its time to say sayonara.

  • Vivianaleiv

    Well done Eli, I like your mantra: Positive thoughts equal positive outcomes.

  • http://twitter.com/outinarizona Tonya Renee

    Yes, always, ALWAYS bring a copy of your resume to every interview.  I recommend bringing two as you never know when you’ll be interviewed by more than one person who will need a copy.  More often than not, I go home with them, but there’s always that one time where they’re shocked you were actually prepared.

    It’s great to see those sites actually work.  I’ve always been wary.

  • Thecoolture

    I love your “positive thoughts equal positive outcomes”. Thank you for the Ed2010 information. Best,

    Sofía
    http://www.thecoolture.com