How to Succeed at a Newspaper Internship
So you've nabbed a newspaper internship. Congratulations! Whether toiling during the school year or summer months, for a daily or weekly, there is work to be done. In order to have a successful internship at a newspaper here are some tips to hit it big with the editorial staff, score some front page bylines and leave them saying your name out at the water cooler.
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Instructions
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How to Succeed at a Newspaper Internship
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Make an impression. Get to your newspaper internship on time, dress professionally and say hi to everyone you meet. Attend events, work hard and get a feel for what working at a newspaper is really like. This is an unbelievable opportunity to get clippings for your portfolio, make contacts for a future job and write, edit or shoot your heart out. The intern that works hard, doesn't say no to odd requests and asks for work when they don't have anything to do will turn out to be a star and someone who is depended on by the staff.
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Find a mentor. So the business editor is the guy whose "beat" you have been assigned to and his favorite thing is to make you read the Wall Street Journal for competing news stories. The sports editor, though, has been known to throw a great story bone to interns, let them tag along to games and submit pitches at the weekly editorial meeting. Establishing a relationship with a mentor, someone who can take you to lunch and give you career advice, introduce you to the right people and take you under their wing is one of the best ways to succeed at a newspaper internship. Don't be afraid. Ask that person whose opinions you value to lunch and take it from there.
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Set goals. Aim high when it comes to goals for a newspaper internship. By setting a goal and reaching for the stars it will give you the best chance for success. Chances are you already are a go-getter to be interning in the newspaper business. Look for opportunities to write, even if it involves stories for the web. Maybe you want to write a by-lined article for each section of the newspaper or 10 front page stories is the secret to success. Write the goals down, share with your internship adviser and start working.
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Never, ever miss a deadline. Repeat, turn things in on time and by the deadline date. This is one of the cardinal rules of a newspaper. If given that opportunity to write a story for the newspaper, always remember this rule.
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Attend meetings. Meetings are the best way to see how a newspaper is run, how journalists pitch stories, what editors like, where there are opportunities to write, how a newspaper's "tear-up" works. Meetings are the insight into the real world of the newspaper. Ask your internship adviser or mentor to take you to every meeting, even closed door ones. Offer to take notes or minutes and email to staff afterward and learn from those at the paper.
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Don't play cool. So you were the editor-in-chief of your high school paper. Get over the ego now and don't play it cool at your newspaper internship. Dive right in and learn the ropes. The exciting, fast-paced, demanding environment of a newspaper is a thrilling experience and a hands-on, enthusiastic attitude will make any internship successful.
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Tips & Warnings
The first day be sure to walk around and introduce yourself to everyone, including the editor in chief.
Don't be afraid to pitch at editorial meeting. Who knows - your nose for news could lead to a front page expose.
Don't engage in office politics or gossip that alienates you from a whole section of the newspaper staff. You'll get burned in the end and burning bridges doesn't lead to job offers.
If you say you will write a story, write it well and turn it in on deadline. Missing a newspaper deadline is just about the worst thing you can do at a newspaper internship. If you need more time, let the assignment editor know and the reasons why. Remember, don't drop the ball.
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