By Kelly Gilblom (Editorial Intern March-June 2009)

So you're interested in an internship at Columns magazine, or maybe you just got hired. Good for you! Working with the UW Alumni Association (UWAA) is an excellent opportunity to meet the people who make up part of the non-academic side of the University.

Columns is a good place to perfect your writing skills and learn the inner workings of a magazine, from rough ideas to glossy finish. You may also get the chance to conduct interviews, assist with photo shoots and edit other people's work.

Whether it's determining if editorial work is the job for you, or learning tips on how to make the most of your time, there's much to see and do at Columns. Feel free to skip around and keep in mind that your future is what you make of it. Good luck!

What is Columns magazine?

Columns is the quarterly publication put out by the UW Alumni Association. Its purpose is to connect alumni back to their alma mater and covers all sorts of topics, ranging from interesting new research to exceptional stories about UW grads and students. Anyone can pick up an issue of Columns and see the incredible accomplishments of UW faculty, staff, alumni and students.

It's not just Nobel laureates or Pulitzer Prize winners, either. Columns covers the unique and the odd as well—like a soccer mom-turned-weightlifter (June 2009) and Ichiro Suzuki's personal translator (March 2009). Its pages are filled with feature stories, research findings, alumni events, obituaries and a popular “Alumnotes” section in which grads send in their own updates.

As an intern, what will I do?

If you haven't had an internship before or have and just gotten coffee and filed papers then working for Columns will be a nice change of pace. You will never be asked to fetch beverages, nor will you be required to make copies and fill out mindless paperwork. As a matter of fact, your boss might get you some coffee.

As an editorial intern, you will be asked to edit and write copy for different sections of the magazine. The intern is fully responsible for two sections: Alumnotes and the obituaries. If that sounds a little lackluster, it can be. But you will also contribute to other sections as well. Your duties may include choosing and obtaining photos, interviewing and gathering quotes for feature stories, assisting with photo shoots and writing about special UW traditions. There's also lots and lots of editing.

You will be included in every part of the editing process from skimming content on Microsoft Word to the final layout before the issue goes to press. By the end, you just might have the entire magazine memorized after carefully scanning every word cover to cover. You will attend creative meetings and give your input to the graphic designer about how you feel the magazine should be laid out. From day one, you will be an integral part of the Columns team. They need their interns to help put out such a high quality magazine, so your job will be very important.

How much do I get paid?

Columns is an unpaid internship. However, you can receive up to five academic credits per quarter. The most valuable part is the experience, the contacts and the fact that you can list your duties at such a well-respected magazine on your resume.

How many hours will I work each week?

The internship requires about 15 hours a week. You won't be logging your hours on a timesheet and they are determined only by you. The editors are very flexible. If you have to study for a big test, take a trip, or are just feeling frazzled with class and work together, they will give you the time you need. Just be sure to communicate with them as early as possible if you know you're going to miss a day or two.

What is the office like? Is it full of people and chaos or more laid back?

You will be working in the UWAA office. Columns is an integral part of the alumni association but operates rather independently. There are two co-editors and they will give you general assignments and edit your work. Your relationship with them will largely determine how your internship goes. There is also a graphic designer who works in a separate office, as well as contributing writers who typically work freelance contracts. The office itself is pretty relaxed. Sometimes it can be buzzing with phone conversations and clacking keyboards, but it's usually quiet. You will have your own personal workspace with a desk and computer.

What's the dress code like?

You will be expected to dress business casual with the exception of Fridays where jeans are acceptable.

I'd like to apply. What are they looking for?

The most important traits a good Columns intern will possess are flexibility, resourcefulness and a positive working attitude. A willingness to take on any assignment is also important. As an intern, you are often “filling in the gaps” for work the editors or contributing writers may not have time to do. Sometimes this can be tedious work, so staying positive and seeing the big picture is important.

Caring about the printed word is also a likeable quality. The magazine values someone who strives for accuracy and perfection in writing. They also need someone who is confident, creative and speaks their mind while still being pleasant to work with. The magazine functions because a dedicated group of people come together to point out errors and talk about ways Columns can improve. Being able to contribute constructive criticism in a professional manner is a necessary skill for any editorial intern. The last big characteristic is resourcefulness. Your editors' biggest fears are an inability to fill the pages with interesting content, and if you can find interesting stories on your own you will be a great asset.

How do I portray all these qualities in my interview?

When you apply you will be asked to provide writing samples. If you can, include a variety of samples that show both journalistic and creative writing. They will be impressed with your versatility. Also, show a genuine interest in the magazine when you interview. Pick up a copy or check out the Web site. Have comments and ideas ready to go in case they ask. Show how likeable you are and willing to learn.

If you don't know the answer to a question, that's OK. Someone who is eager and willing to find the answer is far more valuable than someone who will fake it with any response. Having goals for your future is also commendable. If you have a vision for your career and can see how an internship at Columns would fit in well with that, they'd like to hear it. The editors are great people and will take an interest in you as a person as well as an employee.

Also, basic professional courtesy is an absolute must. Dress as you would in any office, show up a few minutes early, and bring extra copies of your resume and business cards if you have some. Don't forget your writing samples and, of course, follow up with a thank you note.

I got the job! How do I get the most out of it?

Congratulations! This will be an exciting quarter for you, especially if you've never seen how a magazine works. When you go in on your first day you will be shown around the office, introduced to the other staff members and given some early assignments. Test the waters at first. Remember that your job will mostly be responding to needs as they arise, so don't worry if you're just writing obituaries for a week. That will change.

It's important in your first week to establish with your supervisor or editor what it is you want to get out of your internship. If you really want to get clips, say so. If you want to explore one aspect of the magazine, communicate that as well. Also, if you are assigned something that you feel undermines you or is completely outside of your job description don't be afraid to say no. The editors get busy; they have an entire magazine to put out! So, it's up to you to keep the lines of communication open. If you don't understand why something is the way it is, feel free to ask. Odds are they have no idea what you're thinking but would be happy to talk to you about any issue concerning your job or the magazine itself.

Like any job, you need to work hard and give your best effort. Even if the story seems dull, use it as an opportunity to put your own personal touch on it. As time goes by, opportunities to contribute to the magazine in your own ways will become clear. If you run out of things to do and your editors don't have any assignments for you, start searching for interesting new stories yourself. A self-starter who works well on their own as well as in a team environment is a blessing for any supervisor. If you find a unique story idea you will typically be able to write it yourself. If clips are important to you, this is a great way to get them.

Remember that your editors and co-workers are on your side. They want you to succeed as much as you do. Make sure you appreciate their efforts and think of them in terms of long-term business relationships. These will be the people writing your letters of recommendation and thinking of you for jobs down the road. If you show them how professional, creative and hard-working you are they will remember you when the time comes. Don't worry if you're not receiving constant praise—they will speak up if they feel you aren't doing a good job. If that is the case, don't panic. Take what they say to heart and do your best to improve.

Lastly, take an interest in the people around you. If you get invited to a social event, make plans to attend and enjoy yourself. Ask people about their day and be genuine in your conversations. Starting a career is about building a network of people. Don't burn bridges or speak negatively about other people. It will only hurt you, often in ways you couldn't anticipate. You never know whom you will run into later in life, so keep that in mind.

It's all come to an end. What next?

Stay in touch! Keep up with your new contacts. Social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn seem to be the latest trend, but old-fashioned techniques are just fine. Don't bug them with annoying e-mail forwards or long-winded stories about mundane activities, but do let them know about opportunities you learn about that might benefit them. Doing other people favors will do nothing but good things for you.

The people you meet at the UWAA will always root for your success, so keep them posted on how you're doing. If you get a new job, drop them a note. If you get a promotion, stop by and say hello. Columns interns are a part of the UWAA family. Don't be afraid to stay in touch!

To sum it all up, here are the "Top 10 Things to Do in Your Internship":

1. Be a pro. Always be on time, dress appropriately and stay on task.
2. Have a positive attitude. In the face of boring assignments or tedious and repetitive editing, stay pleasant. The task will go faster and your editors will be happier to have you around.
3. Be enterprising. Try to anticipate assignments before they come and generate new ideas on your won. That's what separates a good intern from a great intern.
4. Network. Be friendly, let people know your goals and interests and take a true interest in theirs. Don't be fake; it's more obvious than you think.
5. Set goals. If you know what you want to get out of your internship, even if it's just a letter of recommendation, keep that in mind. It will give meaning to everything you do.
6. Be curious. Ask lots of questions. The people you work with have tons of contacts and a great deal of knowledge about writing and editing. Use that to your advantage.
7. Be flexible. You may need to quickly switch tasks or try something you've never tried before. To be cliché, just "go with the flow."
8. Maintain relationships. Always write those thank you notes.
9. Learn. Everyone brings something different to the table. If you're getting criticized in one area, shine in another and do your best to improve. You're not expected to be a superstar like a veteran writer would. You're there to learn. Of course, there's always the possibility that you won't like everything about the internship. In that the case, you haven't wasted your time. Knowing what you don't want for your future is part of knowing what you do want.
10. Enjoy yourself. This is a great opportunity to make mistakes or try new things. Push yourself in an environment where you are encouraged to grow. Go for big interviews or chase a story you feel passionate about. The beauty of a quarterly magazine is you don't have a deadline everyday or even every month. Have fun with it!