Excelsior

Issue date: 9/15/08 Section: Columns

INTERN: Hopefully this internship is nothing like Anne Hathaway's.

An internship is probably one of the last accepted forms of slavery (some count marriage, although I beg to differ). If someone barks at you to get their coffee and make sure it's precisely 91.3 degrees, you go get it with no questions asked and leave with a slight bow. Just kidding about the bow, but an intern is expected to do the crap no one else will deign to execute. I have willingly entered myself into this servitude with the acceptance of an internship with Redbook magazine.

For those of you who have never heard of it or never really cared to find out about it, Redbook is a monthly magazine that aims to assist women in juggling their careers and home life while still maintaining their individuality. It's focused more on women in their mid 20's to 30's, but women of all ages can identify with its content. I like it because they have kitschy "How To" and tips pieces on topics ranging from money to sex, while still having well written features.

Getting an internship at a magazine does not usually have a complicated application process. Most magazines request a resume, cover letter, and a few writing clips or samples. Don't be discouraged by magazines that request clips and published articles. If you're a good writer, even if you haven't had the pieces published, they'll most likely accept them anyway. Only one of my writing samples had been published, but they let it slide (Yes! *exaggerated fist pump*). Some will also require that you can receive college credit for your work since they're not going to pay you. So if you're interested in writing for a magazine, just go to their website and check out the career section, which is usually where the internship information is located (if you need help, check out the Magner Center in 1303 James Hall).

I'm taking 19 credits this semester and this internship is taking up my only two free days during the week, so I'm having a mini anxiety attack thinking about how I'm going to manage all of this. How do I juggle Marx and makeup trends?! It doesn't help that I have images of "The Devil Wears Prada" streaming through my head, fearing that my boss is going to have me running out to get an advanced copy of a Harry Potter book that isn't even coming out. "I know you don't intend to write another Harry Potter novel Ms. Rowling, but my boss' children really want a part eight…"

Continued...

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