The Internship - Your way in...

in.tern also in.terne (in-turn)

n.

a. A student or a recent graduate undergoing supervised practical training. (this is what people say an internship is meant to be)

b.One who is interned; an internee. (duh)

v.tr. also (n-tûrn)

a. To confine, especially in wartime. (now this is more like it)

Internship Expectations
A couple of you have asked a similar question - how to obtain the coveted internship in events/entertainment? The fact that you're even asking this question is important. I believe that internships are key to opening doors and creating valuable contacts. But I think if you're smart enough to be asking this question then you're smart enough to face the reality of an internship. The intern is the lowest form of life at the office. It's important to realize this. When you think you're above basic research, filing paperwork, logging tapes, and running around the city on errands - then you've made a fatal mistake. You'll never get more responsibility until you accept this. Let me share some horror stories I've witnessed first hand.

Case 1) I was interning with the largest music television channel in the country. There are hundreds of interns at this company each summer. It's hard to get noticed. But this intern managed to do it. Every year there is a major executive retreat where the "higher ups" go to a Caribbean island and meet to discuss the company. Of course talent shows up and the execs have a good time. A handful of interns are asked to go down to help out - to do the grunt work. One intern went down and near the end of the week there was an end of the day karaoke party. I guess she had one too many drinks and before anyone could save her life this intern was crawling on a bar singing "Like A Virgin" to the president of this multi-billion dollar company. Now while Madonna may be able to look and sing like this - no one else, let alone an intern can do the same. The next Monday there was silence in the office. Everyone knew. On Tuesday this intern mysteriously disappeared.

Case 2) I was working for a talent agency. A major rapper was working on a deal with the company and got friendly with one of the interns. The rapper then asked the intern to join him on his tour for the next week. The intern dropped off the face of earth. Didn't tell his supervisor and went for a week with the rapper. Needless to say he didn't have a job when he got back, didn't get the school credit, and has since been black balled. Did the week really pay off? Not really. Do you know how many groupies these rappers have? Do you really think he remembers this intern's name? I think not.

Case 3) Your boss wants you to have a good experience. Work hard and they'll reward you. Interns who have worked extremely hard have had the opportunity to work the events they helped plan including red carpeted events. I know several interns who have worked the VMAs even flying down to Florida over the past few years to work the event. I know I have had interns babysit talent, set-up an event, work a red carpet, and help with after parties. Note: work hard before hand. Don't assume you'll work the event. But when momentum begins to pick-up (about a month before the event) let your supervisor know that you're willing to work the event if you they need your help. I have never turned down an intern who offered up help (unless they failed the I'm more than a pretty face test) and the truth is sometimes I won't ask an intern if it's going to be a late event because technically they shouldn't be working that late. But if they ask I'll put them to use. All major events need interns (award shows, launch parties, etc). Just being there is a learning experience for you.

So what does this mean? It means if you're going to accept an internship don't act like an intern.

• Don't dress like an intern. Dress like your boss even if it sucks.
• Jeans if she wears jeans. Sneakers if she wears sneakers. If she's in heels you need to find the comfortable median because you're running around and she's not. You get the picture.
  
• Always be early. Earlier than your boss. Choose to stay late - if you have work to do get it done early.
  
• A few weeks after I finished my internship in New York City my former supervisor called me at school. She called just to say that she missed me and the girl who had taken my place as the fall intern left at 6pm everyday to catch a train home to Jersey. While interns are never really asked to stay late and aren't expected in theory to stay late, I spoiled my boss by making sure I left the office when she left and had everything done before she got in the next morning. I eventually accepted my first job offer from this woman.
• Do anything and everything to make your boss's life easy and don't necessarily tell her.
• I was working on giveaway items for an Adam Sandler contest that needed to be embroidered. My boss's boss at the time finally spoke to me and asked for samples to choose a color. The embroiderer was in Long Island and couldn't send samples in time. He actually had a man at Bloomingdale's because it was Father's Day that weekend. So what did I do? I took my lunch hour ran up to Bloomingdale's, bought a pair of socks, and had him do sample color pieces on it. I never told the boss's boss that I did this. Never told her I spent the money. When the project was done. The embroiderer called the boss's boss to follow-up and mentioned the incident. A few days later my boss told me that the she knew and was impressed. It's the little things that matter. As a boss who has interns and staff, trust me - this is true. If you don't do it, then I'm going to have to do it during my off time or send someone else to do it.
  

Now that I've gone through some dos and don'ts, the hell and the heaven - if you're still interested in working as an intern then read ahead.

Timing and Focus:

• Think about the industry you want to work in, not just the type of job. For me it was always about entertainment. I then listed out the television channels, movie studios, and record companies I would one day want to work and went directly on their websites to apply. For internships in events/entertainment you need to do the leg work yourself. The career centers at most schools fail to acknowledge this industry exists.
  
• Do not apply too early for these internships. Timing is everything. Here is the almost perfect timing breakdown for a summer internship:
• December break: research where you want to apply, get your resume in order, and cover letters written.
• End of January/Beginning of February: send out your resumes. If you apply too early your resume is tossed to the side because the company is stilling trying to find interns for the spring.
  

Resumes and Standing Out:

• Sending in a resume isn't enough. An intern is actually going through the resumes/cover letters and putting them in piles for her supervisor to look through. The yes pile, the maybe pile, and the no pile (this pile is directly into the trash bin). You need to have something that will make your resume stand out. I truly believe that my resumes stood out because I used a different color paper (a soft rose color).
• Use a larger envelope or a slightly different color paper (not anything neon, subtle but different). Southworth is my favorite paper. I use their fine granite as a substitute resume paper (fine granite rose colored). You can buy it anywhere. But resume paper is resume paper.
• Do not use perfume. Legally blonde is not the way to go - have you ever heard of allergies.
• I know one intern who didn't have any special experience, applied like everyone else and landed in the coolest department with me one summer. She actually created a board game from her resume (a la "Life" style). Do things like this with caution and make sure that the companies you are applying to appreciate the unique surprise. It's important that you still convey the important information but packaging can be the difference between getting the internship and not.
  
• Note: an over extravagant resume will also be a quick no. There's a thin line here. Walk it with caution. Be careful. Make sure you pass your resume through several people. You don't want it to be annoying or blaring. If you're doubting your technique go back to the drawing board and if all else fails send in a normal resume.
  

Follow-up:

• So you sent out your resume and it's been a few weeks and still nothing. Follow-up in a couple of weeks to make sure they received the email/snail mail. If it's a fax follow-up only a couple of days later. If they acknowledge that they received your resume you are allowed one more follow-up. Just one so time it right. Give them a couple of more weeks but around mid-March and you haven't heard anything - use that spare key and reach out.
  

Paid Internships:

• If you want to work in entertainment or events get used to not getting paid.

The interview (phone vs. in person):

• Always always always try to interview in person. I gave up my sophomore and junior spring breaks to come into New York City to interview. I know I give a great interview in person so it was worth it.
• When you interview in person dress professionally (even if they laugh at you when you're there). Be confident. Know your resume. Do you hair, nails, and have a great bag.
  
• I had one interview over the phone when I was in college. It didn't go well. It was with a major record company and it came down to the fact that they couldn't see my enthusiasm, energy, or life. It is different interviewing via phone post grad when you have strong work experience that you can speak about but when you're just starting try to avoid this.
• After the interview. Follow-up. Get a sense from the interviewer if you should send a hand written note or typed thank you letter. I have had a boss who thought hand written notes were unprofessional and another boss who thought typed thank you notes were stale. It depends on the vibe you get from the interviewer. Go with your gut and remember that these letters become a part of your permanent record. If I don't get a follow-up letter from an interviewee I don't hire them.
  

Studying abroad?

• If studying abroad in the spring - life will suck for you, but it's definitely still possible to get an internship. The phone interview is a necessary evil for you. So practice breathing so you won't be nervous. Realize that you will have to be prepared for any given moment.
  
• What the employer is really thinking about when "studying abroad" comes up:
• When will they be back? Will they be prepared to start working? Will they be on cloud 9? Remember these things when you're interviewing.
• Your timing is the same (see above) but if you're opting for snail mail realize that you need to pad it a bit. You also need to be more persistent. Follow-up. While most companies would be willing to do a phone interview the truth is that if they can't meet you in person who ever can meet them in person may have a step up on you. So what do you do to actually make them want to call you? Use the studying abroad aspect to your advantage.
• Include why you went abroad in your cover letter (if it has something to do with the internship).
  
• If you have an internship the semester you're abroad - fantastic. Play it up. Include it on your resume.
• Include a post card with your resume. "London bridges may be falling down but all I can think about is working for your company this summer and here's why...". Do something.
• Don't gush about the study abroad perspective but drop it in during the interview because it is unique.
  
• Be prepared to schedule your spring break to come back to interview. Extreme but if you really want it then keep that option the back of your mind.
• If you're worried about not meeting your employer before you start. No worries. They're not thinking about that once they hire you. They usually only meet someone for five minutes anyway.
  

Networking:

• You landed the internship of your dreams or one that you're at least a little excited about. So how do you network as an intern without looking like brown noser.
  • Make your boss happy. If you do this he/she will rave about you.
  • Meet your boss's friends in the company. Fein interest in what they do. Always smile and acknowledge them.
    
  • Be nice to the janitor and cleaning staff. They know everyone. I've run into my boss getting the gossip from the cleaning staff almost every day.
    
  • Go to those ridiculous luncheons that the internship coordinators set-up. Go and then actually follow-up with the speaker. Seriously. This is one time that you'll have access to these executives without stepping on your boss's feet. Take advantage of it.
  • Network with other interns. This is important. Keep in touch with them and remember that one day you may need them and they may need you. You're going to conquer the world together one day so don't think that you don't need them
  
  These are the basics. Every person has a unique twist to their story. Find your twist and remember that we're human. We want a great intern as much as you want a great internship.