Writing for a magazine has been my dream ever since. During my fourth year of college, I decided to focus on writing lifestyle and pop culture articles, so I took the opportunity to intern at two magazine companies. In a whole year of working from home and building my portfolio, I’ve learned a lot in the industry that I plan to enter. While it is a dream come true, it is also not as easy as it seems.
If you’re interested in becoming an editorial intern for a magazine, here are some things I’ve learned that might be useful for you.
1. Grab the opportunity to attend events!
If your editors or seniors post an event invitation, grab it before anyone does. Every event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience what it actually feels like to be working in the media. No matter how far it is, I still choose to attend so I can make the most out of my internship program. Events are fun and exciting. Aside from the free food and goodies, you can also meet your favorite celebrities and influencers.
2. Make new friends and build connections.
The industry is actually small if you think about it. Sometimes you’ll come across the same people you’ve met in another event. So, don’t be afraid to approach them and make new friends. They’re often friendly and accommodating to interns who want to learn more about the industry. They even introduced me to other guests and validated my first-timer jitters. Knowing people in the same field can also help you in finding jobs or other opportunities in the future.
3. Don’t settle for easy articles, go out there and interview!
It’s always important to challenge yourself during your internship. Its purpose is to train you after all. Although it can be nerve-wracking and time-consuming, doing features is vital for your portfolio. Most of the time, it’s the article that catches the attention of job interviewers. In the first place, interviewing is an important skill to have when it comes to being a journalist. Moreover, this can also give your subject exposure and a platform to be known by more people.
4. Fact-check, fact-check, and fact-check!
Even if you’re not working on news, it’s still absolutely important that you only speak facts. Sometimes in your career, you might experience scary people who can reprimand you for even a simple mistake in your article. To avoid any conflict, always double-check before submitting to your editors.
5. Always ask your editors first.
As an intern, don’t forget that you still don’t know everything and it’s okay to ask first. They wouldn’t be editors if they didn’t have enough experience in the first place. Let them know before doing anything impulsive so you can feel more secure with your decisions. This is to also prevent you from getting in trouble.
6. Allow yourself to explore more genres.
Don’t settle for only lifestyle pieces, give yourself a chance to explore other kinds of articles. Although it’s difficult to write about something you’re not actually interested in, it’s always beneficial for you to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. You can always research more about fashion, beauty, and entertainment. I promise you that diving into other types of content can help you enhance your writing skills and gain more experience along the way.
From The Candy Bulletin Community
