Pondering internship....

[zagoraz]

I have an opportunity to do a three-month internship with a literary agency in L.A. They're a boutique operation (started by someone that left ICM) that handles a small list of authors, screenwriters and talent. At the end of the internship they help you get a job in the industry via referral. Entry-level, I assume, but you gotta start somewhere. For me this means leaving Texas and really putting it all on the line. I believe in myself (and my writing), and am really considering doing this. Any thoughts? Joe I know you did an internship at one point. How was that experience for you?

[Joe Calabrese]

I felt it was a good experience. Entry level intern usualy means they will work you to death, give you little praise and little to no pay. It takes commitment and a constant appreciation that it's only for three months. But if you are a go getter and they see that, they will be in your debt when it's over. Alway ask for things to do, always be helpful and cheerful and never let them see you complain or hanging around doing nothing. When I interned, I used to always be busy looking. Even when walking to the men's room, I would cary a folder so it looked like I was going somewhere important a trick I used in corporate as well.

Oh, can you make a decent cup of coffee? That's a great friend making skill.

[zagoraz]

Thanks for the insight Joe. My coffee-making skills are right up there with my nun-chuck skills. :tongue

[Fin!]

Lucky! :)

[TheRuleofThirds]

Dang!

[StephieM]

Zag,

That's great, go for it! You only live once. Don't let this oppurtunity slip through your fingers. :)

Just out of curiousity, how do you get an internship like this? Is it like a word of mouth thing, getting noticed, a recommendation?

Steph

[zagoraz]

Hey Steph,

I haven't landed the internship just yet. I have to fly out (at my expense) for an interview, and that won't be until January. But getting the proverbial 'foot in the door' interview was as easy as a well put-together e-mail to a select number of agencies whose websites I had visited and checked about their internship policies. Out of the five I e-mailed, I got an e-mail back from this one with expressed interest. A couple follow-up e-mails later, and I'm a prime candidate. It's completely unpaid (and full-time), which means I'm going to have to live off of savings for about three months until it's over (or get a night job). Their last intern was hired on full-time and is now an Exec. Assistant. We'll see what happens, I'll keep you posted.

[StephieM]

Well good luck. I hope it works out for you. :)


Steph

[Enigma]

... Just out of curiousity, how do you get an internship like this? Is it like a word of mouth thing, getting noticed, a recommendation?

We usually get calls from journalism majors, and if Irene, our Sergeant-Major, doesn't make them start crying or if they don't hang up on her, we take it from there. We do look at backgrounds. Military, we like. Silver spoons sticking out of an orfice, we don't. e.g. - no official rules. If they can put up with us, and we can put up with them, then we'll make room for 'em at the dinner table.

[StephieM]

Enigma,

Looking at backgrounds, do you mean like college, courses taken, jobs in the past, that kind of thing?

Steph

[Enigma]

Enigma,

Looking at backgrounds, do you mean like college, courses taken, jobs in the past, that kind of thing?

Steph

College, although I think most of us do have degrees in something, isn't that important to us. Previous employment, unless the jobs directly relate to what we do, don't either. We look for signs; military, ideally combat. Criminal record. Depends on what they went to jail for. Drugs. Goodby. Sex offenses. Shut the door on your way out. We want street-smart people who know when to cut and run and when to hang in there!

We of course want to know if the applicant can write and, more importantly, if they can think on their feet. Sometimes we'll talk to them for five or six minutes, then take them in another room and ask them to write down everything they saw on the desk. Being able to read upside down is a very valuable talent in my business.

If we like what we read and have a good gut feeling about the person, we'll take them out on a local assignment and without telling them we're going to do it, later ask them to write 3-500 words about what they saw and heard. Think of it like giving them a pop test.

We don't have room for silver spoons, prema-donnas, or BS artists - because we all have a master's degree in that subject. If a person is under 35, we're doubtful because the work ethic today almost doesn't exist. Our day-rate is out of sight, and there's no one around to check up on them, but our clients expect something for it other than excuses.

Maybe interning for an agency is different. I wouldn't know but about the last intern who is now an executive, or something, have you talked to them? Is the agency incorporated? Do they have a real office or do they work out of a spare bedroom? Are there law suits against them? Do they have a criminal record? Know the history. Do the research. Trust, yes, but verify because, lady, you're thinking about swimming in shark infested waters.

And one last question - did you by chance send them a photograph? Humor me; if you did, send me a copy in a PM because, frankly, what you've told us about it so far, has a strange odor about it.

[zagoraz]

Enigma,

I think you've got it a little mixed up. Steph isn't the one who applied for an internship. I am. Not sure what you mean by it having a 'strange odor'. It's pretty simple, really. I sent out a handful of e-mail queries with my resume and got a response from one agency. I happen to have a journalism background and I guess they liked what they saw and appreciated my enthusiasm. They are a legitimate agency with a very respectable roster of clients. With an office.

There were no photographs exchanged.

Hope that clears things up.

[Enigma]

[QUOTE=zagoraz]Enigma,

I think you've got it a little mixed up. Steph isn't the one who applied for an internship. I am. QUOTE]

Yeah, I noticed that right after I pushed the button. First mistake I've ever made in my life. http://absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

I've had my say. Good luck with it.