When I first found out that I’d be spending my Senior Year at my dream job I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. I was a small town girl, whose head was filled with big city dreams years in the making. Rewind it back to a time where my allowance would be put to full use on the latest issues of Tiger Beat and Bop magazine. There was something so satisfying about kicking back with the latest issue in its glossy glory. The content. The fashion. The pop-culture. I loved it all. I wanted so bad to be a part of the magic; the magic that fills girls with hope and awe each month as they flip through the pages. When I started my subscription to Seventeen I eagerly waited for its arrival just as a child would for Santa on Christmas eve. I once read, “The things you are passionate about are not random. They are your calling.” My passion had only grown stronger and even though each rejection I never gave up on my daydream. When I started college I went in with the crazy belief that this was the beginning of anything I wanted. I threw myself into creative projects with like-minded people and applied for several internships at a time in the hopes of landing one.
I applied for many internships far and wide, but nevertheless my ultimate goal was to land a position at Seventeen. I found Seventeen’s internship listing on LinkedIn and jumped on the opportunity right away. I emailed my cover letter, resume, and explained why I am the right fit. Within the next few days I noticed a new email that made my heart drop straight to my stomach; It said, “We’d like to have you come in for an interview.” Unfortunately I didn’t land the position the first time around, but was given the opportunity to start out at another publication owned by the Hearst Corporation, REDBOOK. I learned the ins and outs of the industry, worked alongside the marketing team and even sat it on a photoshoot for their September issue (the most memorable event by far!)
After spending my summer there, I transitioned into Seventeen for the fall as a marketing and sales intern. The Seventeen brand is all about female empowerment and it is clearly depicted as soon as you walk through their large glass doors. It is hard not to be inspired when you walk into the building. The environment is filled with creative minds constantly coming up with new innovative ideas to reach the millennial audience. I spend my days working alongside the marketing and sales team on program executions, social media, and even had multiple chances to sit in on sales meetings. I’ve also had many opportunities to work events with big time bloggers, celebrities and industry leaders. My experience at Hearst has been nothing short of incredible. Not only has opportunity helped further my career, but I learned so much about myself in the process. I grew as a person in the professional and person sense.
If you are looking for an internship, keep in mind there are many different departments at a magazine, so there are many opportunities from publishing to editorial.
If you are interested in working for a magazine I suggest keeping an eye on sites such as: LinkedIn, ed2010, and Intern Queen!