Intern Diaries: Zac at NYC

For some, summertime doesn’t mean downtime. It’s just another opportunity to travel, get an internship or otherwise move up in the world. But since you can’t do it all, INsite tracked down several students in places from Thailand to Miami, New York to Paris. Every week, we share their experiences with you. Last week, you read about our very own intern Wade. This week, we bring you Zac in New York City.

For three years, writing and editing in the field of sports journalism has been my calling. Sports often dominate my time and work, though I occasionally find time to dabble within magazines. That’s why snagging a summer internship with Sports Illustrated through the American Society of Magazine Editors was a dream come true: an opportunity to experience the best of both worlds. More than halfway through the summer, the experience has been irreplaceable. I’ve soaked in detailed information about the magazine industry, thanks not only to my hands-on work at SI but through the various meet-and-greet events with magazine bigwigs thrown together by ASME.

But first, let me tell you a little about my transition into city life. After growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee (Go Vols!), the speed of New York—city-goers running in suits and heels and taxis honking loudly at crowded intersections—has taken some getting used to. The city itself has a personality of its own, far different from any city this Southern boy has ever visited.

Because of the magazine industry’s heavy presence in New York, the general consensus among editors is one MUST relocate to the city in order to jump into the business. Several younger magazine workers (editorial assistants, for the most part) admitted to moving to NYC right after graduation, without so much as a lead on a job. Though that may seem scary, if you’re serious about working for a magazine someday and you want in, this is where the industry’s opportunities lie.

Here’s some more advice that’s been tossed my way:

Have an interest: Most editors have worked at more publications than you can count on one hand, but that doesn’t mean it has to be that way. Many have stressed the need to find a niche and go for it, whether it be sports (SI), fashion (Vogue), decor (Country Living), etc. Though you may not end up in your chosen field, having a preferred path is a good start. Plus, such as in my case, yearning for a job in sports magazines usually means the majority of your experience to that point is within the field of sports. So hopefully the field you hope to enter reflects your experience in some way.

NEVER stop: Don’t become stagnant as you look for a job. When editors interview prospective applicants, they like to hear what the interviewee is staying busy with. Freelancing is the best option (and it maintains your writing). The editors say the worst thing to hear from an interviewee is, “Oh, I’m not doing anything. Just looking for a job!” Might as well say, “Don’t hire me. I have no motivation.”

Stay in contact: Internships are basically fashioned as lengthy networking opportunities. A byline or write-up in a publication is great during an internship, but the relationships that remain after the experience are the most lasting effect. Simple e-mails or thank-you notes go a long way when searching for a job later in life, and many editors take the little things into account when recommending former interns for positions. The magazine industry isn’t a large one; editors know each other, and personal references from one another can be huge for a former intern when job searching.

I hope this helps in your endeavor! Time will only tell where mine will lead—possibly New York City, thanks largely to the ASME internship with Sports Illustrated, as well as the sizable number of people I’ve met within the industry.

—Zac Ellis

Just in case you’ve missed any, here’s the complete series (as of yet).