An Ithaca intern at the BBC in London

Is That a Fact?

A summer of research at one of the nation's leading magazines.

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The top ten things you can do to ensure your internship's a success.

As final exams approach and snow begins to melt, students start to ponder their summer plans. For junior writing majors and minors interested in getting an internship, many turn to Barbara Adams. Teaching at Ithaca College since the early 1970s, Adams is an assistant professor of writing and director of the Department of Writing’s internship program.         

Started in 2002, the internship program has become increasingly popular as Adams continued to build relationships with various businesses and publishers in need of talented interns. The program itself is more than a recommendation and a phone call, though. After students are accepted into the program, they begin working one-on-one with Adams, learning to write resumes and cover letters. She meets with students once individually to determinewhere they would like to be and what they want out of an internship.  As deadlines get closer, Adams meets with students more frequently and corresponds regularly via e-mail to tackle any last-minute questions students may have, discuss which sites to apply to, and form strategies for applying to specific sites. In addition to the program, Adams sets up resume workshops in the beginning of the school year for those students interested in applying for an internship on their own.

Adams strives to match students in the program with internships that reflect their skills and interests. For example, a student with a concentration in feature writing has different goals than a creative writer or a student with journalistic ambitions. Students share lists of places they would like to intern but Adams provides additional suggestions from her database of sites where students have previously been placed.  

The program, though, isn’t a walk in the park. Adams expects the students to work hard. Internships are not guaranteed, but the experience prepares the students well for future job searches. "It's exciting to see how much students learn in a short time—through both the process of applying and their internship experiences,” says Adams. “They emerge with a new confidence in their abilities and a sense of themselves as future professionals."

Students who do receive internships gain credit toward their major and an amazing summer experience. Though students can intern in anywhere in the country, the majority go to Boston, Washington, D.C, and New York City. All the internships are writing based, though the type of writing depends on the placement. At the National Museum of the American Indian, for example, an intern worked on publications and research. At WABC-TV, an intern did marketing and public relations work. By the end of the summer, most students find their writing has been published in some form/venue, including magazines, company brochures, and even fundraising materials.

Besides the real-world experience, an internship could lead to a job after graduation. For example, one student was offered a full-time position at Men’s Fitness after completion of the internship. Internships are a great way for students to get their names out there and alert companies of their presence in the job market. Early immersion into the world outside college easily opens doors to opportunities that may not have been there otherwise. 

The prospect of “real work” can be scary, but an internship gives you a leg up by preparing you for life as an adult while at the same time giving you an opportunity to create connections that will serve you after college.