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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
For those applying for summer internships
Josh Anderson, Photographer
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Nashville | TN | United States | Posted: 5:24 PM on 01.02.05 |
| ->> How many are you applying for? Im looking for my first internship this summer so Im a little new to this. Im guessing that you can not apply for too many but just out of curriosity..... So far I am up to 17. |
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Ana Zangroniz, Photographer
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Schenectady | NY | USA | Posted: 7:18 PM on 01.02.05 |
->> Hi Josh,
Last year, as a senior PJ student, I applied to over 40 papers. I got 3 maybes, a few nice comments/suggestions about my work, and 1 phone call for an interview. That interview turned into my summer internship, which turned into my now full-time job. I also think that being willing to go outside your most desired area will help you as well-"roughing it" for a few months for lesser pay at your second or third choice will provide you with invaluable experience. Be sure to follow up w/your applications too...drop an editor a friendly email to make sure they've received all your stuff.
I had a classmate who applied for 95 papers last year. The wider the net, the more fish you reel in, I suppose! But that seemed a bit too much for me...
Best of luck to you!
~Ana Z. |
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Matthew Apgar, Photographer
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Bridgewater | NJ | USA | Posted: 8:26 PM on 01.02.05 |
->> Hi Josh--
As a third year pj'er at RIT in 2003, I sent out 60 cd portfolios to papers across the country. As I recall, I spent over $300 to get them finished and mailed. From those 60, I got about 10 rejection letters, 2 phone calls, and one acceptance at the Southeast Missourian.
The packages I sent out included a cd, cd case, business card, resume, cover letter, one or two tearsheets, and a return mailer with postage.
There are numerous sites to look for internships, including:
NPPA's internship listing (http://www.nppa.org)
Sportsshooter's classifieds (http://www.sportsshooter.com/classifieds.html)
Sportsshooter's educate yourself (http://www.sportsshooter.com/education/index.html)
Gannett's job postings (http://www.gannett.com/job/jobs/jobs.htm)
Detriot Free Press's internships guide (http://www.freep.com/jobspage/interns/)
Stanford's internship listing (http://communication.stanford.edu/intern/listings.html#print)
ASNE (http://www.asne.org/index.cfm?id=3749)
...and I could go on and on...
But before you do anything else, read all of Jim McNay's articles on SportsShooter. Print them out, highlight, take notes. They're very informative and will definately be of use to those looking to get a summer internship.
Some more links:
'Good' Internships
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1168
Door #1 or Door #2?
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1144
Locking Down Internships on College Breaks
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1058
Strategies for Chasing Internships
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/977
Homework Assignment: An Internship Next Summer, or Else!
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/944
...again, I could go on and on... Mr. McNay and the SportsShooter team has really gone above and beyond for students by putting out these very helpful articles. My suggestion is to put yourself out there to as many papers as possible, cause if you hear back from 10% of the ones you've applied to, you're doing good. Best of luck to Josh and everyone else! |
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Chris Jordan, Photographer
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Whitefish | MT | USA | Posted: 8:51 PM on 01.02.05 |
->> Hey Josh -
Matthew's post on this topic is excellent. Check out all of his links, but pay particular attention to the ASNE link. That one really helped me when I was trying to as Ana said, "cast a wide net."
best of luck,
Chris |
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Josh Anderson, Photographer
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Nashville | TN | United States | Posted: 10:52 PM on 01.02.05 |
->> wow! Thankyou very much everyone. Matt, I appreciate all of the links. I will use all of them. The ASNE one is a great one i did not know about.
Ana, thanks for the idea of how many to send out. I have graduated from school already and dont really have anyone to compare notes with on this. So, thanks.
Hopefully something will work out.
Josh |
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Matthew Apgar, Photographer
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Bridgewater | NJ | USA | Posted: 2:03 AM on 01.03.05 |
| ->> Here's another thing to consider as well...Not all of the internship listings will be current. It would be a good idea to call up the places you decide to apply to and confirm to whom you actually send your portfolio to. Many editors may have switched positions, papers, or what have you. It's a good idea to send it to the right person and to know if Photo Editor Pat So-and-so is a Mr. or a Ms. ;-) |
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Michael P. King, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 11:08 AM on 01.03.05 |
->> Josh -
You've gotten great advice from others, but I think it's also important to consider the following... and I hope I'll be able to explain this so it makes sense. This is only my theory on the matter... take it for what you will.
I think it is certainly important to get your work and your name out there... sending out 40-60 internship applications will obviously do that! But certainly don't sacrifice quality for quantity. This is pretty basic but I think people forget it: these application materials are how the editor or DOP is going to evaluate you. This stupid oversized manilla envelope that you're dropping off at the post office is holding your chance to get valuable work experience and make important connections. Make it count!!
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that your goal should not be just spamming the market with indentical cookie-cutter portfolio packages. Get your stuff out there, of course, but present the portfolio in a way that you'll be *remembered* and *sought-after* by the editor you're sending it to. Maybe it's a personalized cover letter, or maybe its a portfolio that is geared towards the type of work that paper is known for doing...
The way I see it, sometimes 5-6 applications that are really well thought-out and prepared especially for the publication can be as effective or more effective than 60 OK ones that are all the same. Remember that you're not just showing your photographs... you're showing something about how much care you take with things, and even how well you can express a thought on paper.
This thread is proof that you're not the only guy out there sending out mass amounts of portfolios. What is going to make the editor look at your application and say, "Hmm..." or "Wow...." or "Gee, this guy really wants to intern here..."
Make yourself standout and shine. I think that is really, really key to the whole process.
--MK |
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Josh Anderson, Photographer
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Nashville | TN | United States | Posted: 3:00 PM on 01.04.05 |
->> Michael,
Thanks for the advice.
Josh |
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