College grads fighting tough job market

CBS News recently ran a feature story about Kelsy Nova, a recent communications graduate from New York University, about the tough time she was having finding a job. Kelsy isn't alone. College graduates this year are stepping into one of the worst job markets in decades. The segment on CBS News was part of a series called "the Job Squad" designed to help unemployed people find work. CBS recruited a team of coaches for Kelsy that included a public relations executive, a fashion model and a university career center official. Fortunately for Kelsy, her story had a happy ending; she found a job.

The tips these coaches gave Kelsy are tips all students can benefit from. The video is only about six minutes so I would encourage you to view it, especially if you are a senior or recent graduate.

Don't forget too that the ACU Career Center is here to help you. You can e-mail them at careers@acu.edu.

Membership has its privileges

I gave a talk recently to the Ad/PR Club at ACU about some of the resources available to students for searching for internships and entry-level jobs. One suggestion worth repeating is that all JMC majors should belong to one or more of the pre-professional groups promoted by the department. This includes the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and the Broadcast Education Association (BEA). Most of these pre-professional organizations offer internship and job boards as well as more general career advice like how to write resumes and cover letters.

A recent scan of the PRSSA Web site (www.prssa.org) showed employers have posted 20 internship leads during the past 30 days. If you're a public relations student looking for a top internship, this should get your adrenalin pumping. Access this site and you've hit the mother lode of timely PR internship leads.

Surprisingly, few students at the recent Ad/PR Club had ever accessed the job info on the PRSSA or AAF Web sites, even though they were dues-paying members. What about you? If you are not in a pre-professional JMC organization, you need to join. Already a member? Take some time to get familiar with your organization's Web site and what it offers in terms of career advice and promising leads for internships and jobs. Membership really does have its privileges.

The latest JMC internship opportunities

Here are more great internship opportunities for JMC majors. After reading the list below (also see the previous post) e-mail me if you need more information. Keep in mind that all internships require the department's advance approval to receive academic credit. Most internships are suitable for juniors and seniors who have completed at least the core of JMC skills courses.

1. The following announcement arrived recently from Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene:

The Marketing Department at Hendrick Medical Center is looking for interns in integrated marketing communication or related fields. Interns will have the opportunity to work in an in-house agency environment specializing in marketing, graphic design, public relations, advertising, event planning and web design. The Marketing Department aims to creatively project the image and mission of Hendrick Medical Center to both internal and external customers. For more information, contact Elizabeth Newman at enewman@ehendrick.org or 670-2431.

2. March 5th is the deadline to submit applications for the 2009 Institute on Political Journalism, sponsored by the Fund for American Studies in partnership with Georgetown University. This summer internship in Washington, D.C., includes a chance to attend briefings at the White House and Congress. For more information, visit dcinternships.org.

3. The Burleson Star newspaper in Burleson, Texas, just south of Fort Worth, is seeking summer journalism interns for its newsroom. For more information, contact Luke Harris (an ACU alumnus) who is editor. His phone number is 817-295-0486 ext. 22 and his e-mail address is burlesonstar@thestargroup.com.

4. Interested in a European summer internship? Read the following:

2009 CIVITAS SUMMER PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN WARSAW, POLAND (June 1 - July 31, 2009) in ENGLISH. http://www.globaleducationleadership.org/

The summer internship program is organized by Collegium Civitas in Warsaw, Poland includes 25-30 hours of internship per week, academic and internship seminars and Polish language course.

INTERNSHIPS (IN ENGLISH)

The program offers a unique opportunity for a limited number of students to undertake full-time summer professional internships in various profit, public and non-profit organizations in Warsaw, Poland that focus, among others, on:

- Jewish history, arts, music & culture,

- Human Rights, Migration, Refugees,

- European Integration, International Politics, Diplomacy

- Legal and Constitutional Affairs

- Media, Media Advertising, Journalism

- Civil Society and Local Community Development, Civic Education,

- Public health,

- Economics, Business, Finance

- Transparency in public administration, anti-corruption policies

- Environment

A sample list of internship areas and organizations can be viewed at: http://www.globaleducationleadership.org/organizations/InternshipOrganizations.html

ACADEMIC PROGRAM and CREDITS

During the internship program students can take credited:

1) academic seminar (IN ENGLISH) on democratization, transition, the EU integration with a special focus on Central Europe;

2) internship seminar (IN ENGLISH) that provides an intellectual forum for the students to reflect upon their internship experience;

3) optional Polish language class.

Students can earn an equivalent of up to 6 American credits awarded by Collegium Civitas. For more information about the academic program visit:

http://www.globaleducationleadership.org/academic/AcademicProgram.html

APPLICATION

Graduate and Undergraduate students can apply. Civitas Summer Internship Program has a rolling admission and interested applicants are invited to submit their applications to the program anytime until March 16, 2009.

Application forms are available here: http://www.globaleducationleadership.org/apply/HowtoApply.html

CONTACT

Inquiries about the program can be directed to Olena Tregub, Executive Director, Global Educational Leadership, at contact@globaleducationleadership.org or tel. 646 670 6089.

For more information about the program, application form and costs visit: http://www.globaleducationleadership.org

Internship ideas for spring and summer 2009

The spring semester is typically the busiest time of the year for students seeking internships. Now is a great time to apply for summer internships and there may still be a few opportunities available for the spring semester.

Before listing some recent internship announcements, don't forget to check the Web sites of JMC professional organizations (see list in left-hand column of this blog site). In addition to checking national Web sites, check the organizations' local chapters too. For instance, the Houston chapter of the Public Relations Society of America has internships posted on its online job board. The larger media chains, such as Gannett, are another good source of internship information, as are the larger public relations and advertising agencies. Check these companies' Web sites often for internship information, or send an e-mail to their internship director or human resources department.

As helpful as these Web sites may be, keep in mind that most internships are NOT posted online. You'll have to go find them. Once you have identified the target cities in which you are willing or able to do internships, contact the appropriate media, agencies or other JMC employers in those markets as early in the semester as possible. Be proactive and be early.

OK, here are some of the recent internship announcements to come to our attention:

1. Mission Lazarus is looking for photojournalism students to do internships this summer in Cholutaca, Honduras. The contact person is Jarrod Brown, an ACU alumnus. More information is available at the Mission Lazarus Web site or blog site. You can also e-mail Jarrod at jarrodbrown@missionlazarus.org or contact Dr. Gary Green, missions coordinator for Latin America, in the College of Biblical Studies.
   
2. The Christian Chronicle, the award-winning newspaper for Churches of Christ, is seeking journalism majors to serve as reporting interns for the spring semester or future semesters. Preference will be given to students with campus or professional newspaper or Web site writing experience and members of Churches of Christ. The Christian Chronicle has won more than 25 awards from the Associated Church Press and the Society of Professional Journalists since 2005. Interested students should send a letter of interest, clips and references to Bobby Ross Jr., managing editor, at bobby.ross@christianchronicle.org.
   
3. Manning, Selvage & Lee, a leading international public relations firm, is seeking summer interns for its Atlanta office. Applicants must have completed their junior or senior year with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and have prior work experience, internships and/or volunteer experience. For more information, visit MS&L Atlanta's Web site. Jenni McDonough is the contact person. The deadline for applications is March 6.
   
4. The Eric Breindel Memorial Foundation has announced its 2009 Eric Breindel Collegiate Journalism Award competition. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 plus a paid internship at either Fox News Channel, The Wall Street Journal or the New York Post. Housing in New York City will be provided. For more information and an application, visit www.ericbreindel.org or call Germaine Febles at 212-843-8031. The deadline to apply is April 24.
5. The Asian-American Journalist Association (AAJA) is accepting applications for its summer internships and scholarship programs through the end of January. For more information, visit http://www.aaja.org/programs/for_students/journalism_internship_grants/.
   
6. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) has a list of internship opportunities at newspapers around the country. You can access the list at http://www.nahj.org/educationalprograms/internships.shtml. Many of these programs have Feb. 1 deadlines.
   
7. Finally, for spring semester internships in Abilene, the best advice for journalism majors is to contact news directors or editors at the local media outlets (Abilene Reporter-News, KTXS-TV, KTAB and KRBC-TV and larger radio stations). For Ad/PR majors, try the marketing departments at Hendrick Medical Center and Abilene Regional Medical Center, or contact one of the larger non-profit agencies, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Abilene. The City of Abilene (Public Information Office) also is a good source. Once again, be proactive and be early for the best results.
   

For more information on the JMC internship program, see the archive of previous posts on this blog or contact Dave Hogan, internship director, by e-mail or by phone at 325-674-2045.

Advertising, Newspaper and Broadcast Internships Available

New information on internships is available in this post for a variety of JMC-related careers, including advertising, newspaper journalism and TV broadcast journalism.

Advertising internships for multicultural students

The deadline is this Friday, Dec. 5, for the American Association of Advertising Agencies' 2009 Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP). This internship program helps minority students earn 10-week, paid internships at advertising agencies. Since the program began in 1973, more than 2,000 students have served as MAIP interns. For more information and an application, visit http://www.aaaa-maip.org/apply.php. For questions, call 212-850-0732 or e-mail maip@aaaa.org.

KTAB and KRBC TV Internships

Two of Abilene's television stations, KTAB and KRBC, are jointly hosting an internship orientation meeting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at their studios at 4510 S. 14th Street. Internships are available at the stations for reporting, producing, writing, videography, Web writing and design, video editing, assignments, anchoring, sports and the news ticker.

To reserve a spot at the orientation meeting, e-mail Austin Kellerman, news director, at akellerman@ktab.tv, or call 691-2247.

Eric Breindel Memorial Foundation Awards

The Eric Breindel Memorial Foundation is accepting applications for its summer 2009 internship awards program. The student who wins this award will receive a cash prize of $10,000 plus a paid internship at his or her choice of the Fox News Channel, The Wall Street Journal or the New York Post. In addition, housing in New York City will be provided during the internship.

To learn more about the award or to secure an application, visit www.ericbreindel.org or call Germaine Febles at 212-843-8031.

Deadlines approaching for summer 2009 newspaper internships

We just finished Homecoming weekend at ACU and Abilene is yet to have its first freeze of the season, but believe it or not it's time to apply now for some of next summer's best newspaper internships. Some of the larger daily newspapers have summer 2009 internship deadlines as early as Nov. 1. If you want to know more, two sources worth checking are the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), which publishes an annual directory of newspaper internships, and the Texas Daily Newspaper Association (TDNA). E-mail me if you want to see a PDF version of ACP's directory. We have more information on the TDNA on the JMC bulletin board on the third floor of the Don Morris Center. You'll need to act quickly to compete for the best spots.

New internship opportunities

It's not too early to start looking for an internship for next spring or summer. Here are some of the latest internship opportunities:

1. Leanne Baldwin at the Abilene Philharmonic needs an intern who can put together a blog, podcasting and other social media/multimedia projects. Her contact info is lbaldwin@abilenephilharmonic.org or by phone at 677-6710. One note of caution: This may or may not qualify for your JMC internship. We will need to learn more specifics about the program first. However, it would be great experience for the right student, regardless of whether it counts for your internship or not. Before starting this or any other internship, be sure to e-mail me (dah01a@acu.edu) with the specifics and get approval.
   
   
   
2. The Texas Daily Newspaper Association (www.tdna.org) will make information available by next week for its 2009 summer internship program at daily newspapers throughout Texas. Some of the larger newspapers have application deadlines as early as Nov. 1, so check this source quickly if interested.
   
3. Applications are now available for the American Association of Advertising Agencies' 2009 Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP). This program gives multicultural students the chance to gain valuable work experience through a 10-week summer internship at a real world advertising agency. Last year, MAIP had one of its largest classes of interns (147).
   
   The MAIP Student Application package can be downloaded from the following link at the AAAA MAIP Web site: http://www.aaaa-maip.org/apply.php. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. EST on Dec. 5.
   
4. The Associated Press is seeking applications for its 12-week summer photojournalism internship program. The deadline to apply is Nov. 14. More information can be found at www.ap.org (see the "careers" tab). Here is a summary of the required steps:
   
   • A 300-word autobiographical essay on this topic: “The Associated Press seeks to recruit and retain a workforce that embodies a wide range of talents, experiences, achievements and journalistic skills. Please describe the qualities and accomplishments you would bring to the company.”
   • A resume and cover letter (please include your projected graduation date)
   • A portfolio of your work. Submissions should be a collection of jpeg images with captions on a CD. You should forego programs that include music or special transitions. A link to a website may be offered as a substitute for a CD.
   • Two letters of reference, at least one from a professor or faculty adviser on school letterhead
   • An interview with an AP chief of bureau
   • A completed employment application
   
5. The Association for Women in Sports Media awards scholarships and paid summer internships to female college students pursuing careers in sports writing, editing, broadcasting, Web production and public relations.
   
   For complete details, please visit www.awsmonline.org.
   
   All interns receive a $1,000 scholarship, plus $300 toward travel expenses to the annual AWSM convention, waived convention fees and free lodging at the host hotel. Copy editing interns receive an additional $1,000 scholarship from the Associated Press Sports Editors.
   
   Organizations that have hosted interns in the past include Sports Illustrated, ESPN, USA Track & Field, MLB.com and the St. Petersburg Times.
   
   Applications must be submitted via the online application system by Oct. 31.
   
   Any questions? Please send an e-mail to AWSMintern@hotmail.com
   
   
6. Like horses? Please see the following news release for an internship that may be for you:
   
   
   AMERICAN HORSE PUBLICATIONS
   PRESS RELEASE
   For more information, contact: Chris Brune
   49 Spinnaker Circle Dr., South Daytona, FL 32119
   (386) 760-7743 / Fax (386) 760-7728 / Email AHorsePubs@aol.com
   www.americanhorsepubs.org
   2009 AHP Internship Handbook and Applications Available Online
   OCTOBER 3, 2008 - The 2009 Internship Handbook and applications are now available online to college students who have an interest in horses and seek a career in equine publishing. The AHP Internship Program is a great way to provide students with the resume-building experience that’s so critical to today’s job market. Interns gain valuable hands-on real life experience and AHP members acquire additional help when and where they need it most.
   AHP is the nation’s only non-profit professional association of over 470 members dedicated to promoting better understanding and cooperation within the equine publishing industry. Membership consists primarily of equine-related magazines, newsletters, and tabloids/newspapers as well as individuals, businesses and organizations serving the equine publishing industry.
   AHP serves as the umbrella organization for the internship program and is responsible for creating the application process, providing the forms, the mailing list, and a directory of the participating AHP member publications and businesses. The Internship Handbook includes program guidelines, expectations and responsibilities of the intern and the AHP participating member, and a directory of AHP participants. Each listing includes the publication or company name, a brief description, types of internships offered, availability/duration, requirements, information on compensation and housing, and contact information. Students apply directly to the AHP member, who will choose the applicants that best meet their needs. AHP members may hire more than one intern.
   American Horse Publications also offers students wishing to become involved in the equine publishing industry an opportunity to join the association and participate in other student programs.
   Student Membership is open to high school, college, and graduate students for an annual fee of $25. Student Members receive a certificate of membership, an opportunity to attend the AHP annual seminar at a reduced registration fee, a free listing in the online AHP Membership Directory, the AHP monthly newsletter, “AHP For the record,” and are eligible to enter the Student classes in the AHP annual Awards Contest.
   Students who are pursuing a career in equine publishing are eligible to compete for American Horse Publications 2009 Student Award. A senior in high school or an undergraduate college student at the start of the 2008-2009 school year, with at least one semester before graduation, has a chance to win a cash award of $1,000 plus an all-expense paid trip to AHP's annual meeting and seminar to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 25-27, 2009.The Student Award Winner will have an opportunity to meet leading equine publishing professionals and discuss career possibilities. The AHP Student Award Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada only.
   The AHP Student Mentoring Program is designed to provide students with insight into a career in the equine publishing industry through interaction with AHP professionals. The AHP Mentoring Program is open to all student AHP members.
   The 2009 Internship Handbook and applications is available online at www.americanhorsepubs.org. Printed handbooksmay be obtained by contacting Christine W. Brune, Executive Director, American Horse Publications, 49 Spinnaker Circle, South Daytona, FL 32119, (386) 760-7743, Fax: (386) 760-7728, e-mail: AHorsePubs@aol.com.
   -30-
   
   

(More than) five big mistakes new grads make

Anne Fisher, a senior writer for Fortune Magazine, wrote a column titled "Five big mistakes new grads make" about blunders college graduates make when searching for jobs. She has some great tips, such as keeping your parents out of the job-interview process. Employers don't want to hear from your mom or dad. Their phone calls or e-mails on your behalf may call into question your maturity and independence. You can read all five of her "big mistakes" by clicking here.

Here are a few more "mistakes" to avoid when looking for work or starting your first job, based on my own experience:

1. Send a resume with a typo or misspelled word. This mistake might not be unpardonable if you were a chemistry or pre-med major, but hey, we're journalists and communicators, right? JMC majors, of all graduates, should know how to spell and write. In competitive hiring situations (aren't they all?), one single mistake can result in your resume being tossed in the trash. Make sure to proofread your resume and cover letter carefully. Then, print them out and proof them again. Ask a friend to read them too. Do all this before sending the resume to the employer.

2. Dress like you're still in college. This isn't meant to be insulting to your intelligence, but "inappropriate dress" is one of the most common complaints I receive from employers about interns. When you start work (internships too), it's time to leave the flip flops, denim and spaghetti straps behind. One of your objectives during your senior year should be to accumulate a new wardrobe for job interviews and your first year on the job.

3. Talking to friends and sweethearts while at work. Most employers tolerate occasional short personal phone calls at work, but don't abuse the privilege. Stay focused on work while on the job and take care of personal business later. If you must take a personal phone call, keep your voice low and keep the call short, one or two minutes, no more. Let most personal phone calls go to voice mail and respond to them later.

4. Be a drama queen (or king) in the office. Everybody has a personal life, and we all experience emotional ups and downs. Trust me on this one, your boss doesn't really want to hear about it. When at work, keep problems with boyfriends, girlfriends, roommates and family to yourself. A moody, emotional or crying employee can be a huge distraction in the office. Don't let that person be you.

Anne Fisher's column appeared in Fortune Magazine May 16, 2007.