- Graduation Year: May 2014
- Major: News-Editorial Journalism
- Minor: Earth, Society and Environment
- Hometown: Aurora, IL
- Hobbies: Photography, baking, reading, playing the viola
Campus Activities
- Arts & Entertainment Editor at buzz Magazine
- Huddle Leader at Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- PR and Multimedia Intern for nonprofit organization, TEA Co.
Internship | Editorial Intern at Good Housekeeping Magazine, Hearst Corporation, American Society of Magazine Editors
Duties
While interning at Good Housekeeping, my primary duties were to research story ideas for the Good Home, Good Life, Good Company, and Good List sections of the magazine, pitch ideas for the section openers, and pull content from Twitter and Instagram for the Digital Editions Editor. I attended press events, did administrative tasks such as checking expense reports, assisted in research at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, and wrote Heds and Deks, as well as did some editing. I think I literally got a taste of everything!
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
I most enjoyed getting to work with all of the different sections of the magazine, including the Research Institute. It allowed me to get a better understanding of how the various facets of the magazine come together to create the final product. I also loved attending pitch meetings with the editors and was even able to contribute my own ideas, which were then later taken into consideration by the Editor-in-Chief… that was pretty awesome!
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
I think the biggest adjustment for me was balancing multiple projects at one time. I have always been a multi-tasker, but at a major magazine like Good Housekeeping, you are actually working on multiple issues at one time, all of which are in different stages. You have to be able to keep everything organized. It was also difficult thinking 6 months ahead of your reader. Even though it was summertime, we had to be brainstorming ideas for stories that wouldn’t be published until November, December and even January and February. The biggest challenge there is making sure your ideas are still going to be fresh and newsworthy 6 months out.
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
My experiences through U of I and the College of Media were tremendous in helping me prepare for this internship. Everything I had learned through my reporting classes were definitely put to use, and the advice my professors and advisor had given me really helped ease me into taking on a big internship in NYC. Same with the opportunities that I have had working with Illini Media Company and buzz Magazine.
The responsibilities I have as an Editor at buzz gave me the confidence to be able to approach my internship knowing that I am fully prepared to take on any task that comes my way.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
Being able to intern at a publication like Good Housekeeping, as well as living in NYC, has helped me see that I absolutely can be successful pursuing a career in journalism.
My dream has always been to move to New York and write or be an editor for a magazine, and after having experienced that, I think I now have the complete set of tools to get me there. My internship at Good Housekeeping also allowed me to make some great connections and relationships with people in the industry who I know are going to help me as I pursue my career. Never before have I truly understood the importance of networking. I’m no longer nervous or unsure of myself, but fully prepared to go after my dream job!
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
The most daunting part of taking any internship is being surrounded by professionals and people who really know what their doing. It is easy to feel like you might not be good enough, or intimidated by how overwhelming everything is at the start, but you have to remember that you wouldn’t have gotten that internship if it weren’t for someone who saw your resume and application, and believed that you were able to handle the job. Someone had the confidence to hire you, and now you have to have the confidence in yourself to take advantage of every opportunity that internship has to offer you. Be bold and go above-and-beyond, but be willing to take constructive criticism and be open to learning. Also, don’t be afraid to build relationships while you are there. The people you meet through these internships are the people who are going to be helping you land that first job. And of course, have fun and remember why you love doing what you do!