About the Internship

October 14, 2009

The American Society of Magazine Editors sponsors a ten-week summer internship program for college juniors each year.

The internship program is intended for editorially oriented students. The emphasis is on editing magazines, and includes the performance under supervision of such tasks as handling reader mail, evaluating unsolicited manuscripts, researching articles, checking facts, proofreading, copy editing, interviewing, covering press conferences, and attending editorial meetings. At a number of magazines, there may also be reporting and writing opportunities, even a few bylines. Some interns have the opportunity to see how the circulation, advertising and other business departments of the magazine function.

The program begins with a two-and-a-half day orientation in New York, during which the interns get to know each other; hear from top editors and other magazine executives about magazine editing and publishing; and meet alumni of the program who talk about magazine jobs and living in and enjoying the city. A brief orientation meeting is also held in Washington, D.C. for interns assigned there.

During the program there are weekly luncheons where interns meet and visit with a varied group of editors and other magazine professionals..

Each intern is asked to submit a written report by the final day of the internship on his/her specific work experience, suggestions for the program, and comments on journalism education.

Selection of Interns

Students are selected for the internship program on the basis of their complete application package. Strong consideration is given to an applicant's background in journalism, media and/or communications, including knowledge of and experience in magazine work, including the following:

• Academic courses in journalism, preferably in reporting, writing, editing;
  
• Participation in campus journalism, in a senior editorial position on the newspaper, school magazines, electronic editions, or yearbook;
  
• Previous summer internships or jobs at magazines or newspapers, or other journalistic experience;
  
• Both journalism and liberal arts majors should have a solid grounding in literature, history, economics, natural science, a foreign language—the basic disciplines in the humanities.

NOTE:  Applicants must have completed their junior year of college by June 2010 and be entering their full senior year in the fall of 2010.

Assignments to Magazines

Every effort is made to match interns with magazines based on the applicants' preferences, specific areas of interest and previous experience. However, an exact match is not always possible, and the final placement decision is based on the needs of the participating magazines. Interns are encouraged to keep an open mind about their assignment and look forward to having a rewarding summer.

If an accepted intern refuses his/her assignment, ASME will offer the spot to another applicant.

Please note that the list of participating magazines may change in 2010.

Finances and Housing

Interns will be temporary employees of the magazine to which they are assigned and will be paid a minimum of $425 a week before deductions.

Interns are responsible for their own travel, housing, food and personal expenses. ASME will arrange for housing at an NYU dorm on a group basis. In 2009, a majority of the interns stayed at the dorm, but some chose to stay with family or friends. ASME will also provide information about housing in Washington, D.C.

The cost for housing will be around $2,800. Interns who sign up for housing are required to submit at least a three-week deposit up front and payment in full before the scheduled move-in date. Please be prepared to pay for your housing as soon as you are notified of your specific internship placement.