What is an Editorial Internship?

An editorial internship is an unpaid, entry-level position at a magazine or newspaper that can give you invaluable experience. The best interns are always the ones who take initiative and make a positive impact on the company.

Editors aren’t looking for perfection, but they do expect you to take constructive criticism seriously. Learn to accept that feedback and move on.

What you’ll do

An editorial internship is a great way to start a career in the media industry. It gives you the chance to write articles, manage readers’ reviews, and learn from experienced editors who will give you the skills you need to succeed in your job.

You’ll get hands-on experience writing for a magazine or newspaper, and you’ll be responsible for researching, fact-checking, proofreading and editing the stories you write. You’ll also be involved in pitching stories, and you may even have the chance to submit a few of your own.

As you work on a project, it’s important to take your editor’s feedback seriously. The editor wants to see you grow as a writer, so it’s helpful to hear constructive criticism about your ideas and styles.

Another thing that editors want to see is that you’re a self-starter. If you need to research a new term, find out if your company has covered it before or how to use a particular piece of software, ask your editor for help. They will appreciate that you’re willing to take the time to learn how things are done, and it will make their lives much easier.

The best interns are proactive and take every task they’re given seriously. They do their homework, they make suggestions and they don’t hesitate to ask for help when they need it.

One of the most valuable skills you’ll develop during your internship is patience. You’ll be tasked with tedious tasks and it can be easy to let them bog you down. But if you tackle them with as much enthusiasm and energy as you do your exciting assignments, they’ll remember that you were there for them when they needed you most.

It’s a good idea to take a lot of notes during your internship, so you can refer back to them later on. You’ll also want to keep a copy of any stories you’re working on, so that you can refer to them when you send in your final drafts.

If you’re interested in a career as an editorial assistant, make sure to include your relevant previous internships on your resume. This will show the hiring manager that you’re ready for a new challenge and that you have the skills to do the job well.

What you’ll learn

An editorial internship is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door at a magazine, newspaper, or publishing company. It’s also a chance to learn what it really takes to be a journalist, editor or assistant editor.

During your internship, you’ll be exposed to the inner workings of a publishing company and you’ll be asked to do a range of tasks – from editing articles to proofreading manuscripts. There are many different areas that an editorial intern may work in, depending on the size of the company and the kind of books they publish.

Every publishing house is unique, so you’ll need to adapt to the way they do things during your internship. You’ll need to be able to figure out who does what, what their priorities are and how they communicate with each other.

Make sure to ask plenty of questions about the company’s editorial processes, particularly if you’re a novice. Most editors will appreciate it and it’s a good way to build your confidence in your writing skills and understanding of the industry.

Another important skill to have is a good grasp of English grammar and spelling. As an editor, you’ll be required to proofread documents and emails. It’s crucial to be able to spot any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, as they can be detrimental to a book’s credibility and success.

It’s a good idea to join an editing association, such as ACES (The Society for Editing) or EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association), and get certified in your editing skills. This will help you to stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your expertise.

The best editors aren’t afraid to offer feedback, even if it’s negative. They know that you can take constructive criticism and use it to your advantage, which will only benefit the publication in the long run.

What to expect

Editorial internships at newspapers, magazines, or publishing companies are a great way to learn about the industry and build your resume. As an intern, you’ll work alongside professional editors to report stories, write articles and conduct research. During an internship, you’ll also have the opportunity to see firsthand what it’s like to work for an editor, which will help you decide if it’s the right career path for you.

During an editorial internship, you’ll be involved in a variety of duties including researching, writing and editing stories; assisting with social media posts; coordinating photo shoots; and collaborating with other editors as needed. You’ll need to be flexible, willing to learn and have a good attitude.

As an editorial intern, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about how a magazine or newspaper works by attending meetings and getting involved in project planning. It’s important to ask questions, as this will give you insight into how the team runs their department and what they do to get their stories out there.

Another key part of an internship is to communicate effectively with your editor. This means that you’ll need to have a strong vocabulary and be able to explain your ideas in clear, concise terms. Having a strong writing style and an eye for grammar are also key, so make sure to practice your skills and read up on editorial standards.

You’ll also need to be a creative thinker. Whether you’re a writer, designer or photographer, you’ll need to be able to come up with a great idea and present it to the editor in a way that they can see the potential in it.

Keep a to-do list for your editorial internship so that you know what you need to do when. This will allow you to stay organized and make the most of your time.

While you’re in an editorial internship, it’s important to remember that your supervisor is ultimately responsible for what gets published, so if you aren’t completing your assignments to their satisfaction, you won’t be a valuable asset to the team.

How to make the most of your internship

An editorial internship is a great opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in their field and make professional connections that may help them find a job in the future. Interns who use their time wisely can benefit from the experience, gain valuable skills and build a resume that will stand out among other applicants.

The best way to maximize the benefits of your internship is to set clear goals and develop a strategy for achieving those objectives. This will make it easier for you to determine what your responsibilities are, how much work you should expect and how your supervisor can help.

Editors like to be impressed when interns take initiative and take ownership of their assignments. This can be a huge plus when they’re tasked with researching an article or editing a story.

One of the best ways to be a successful intern is to ask your supervisor or mentor questions when you’re stumped about something. This will show them that you’re interested in learning more about their profession and what it takes to be a successful editor.

It’s also a good idea to study the edits you receive, said Jeff Bray, former managing editor of Newsweek and now a freelance editor at the New York Times. This can help you understand what goes into story edits and how to avoid similar errors in your own work.

Likewise, it’s a good idea to attend meetings with your supervisor and colleagues if possible. This will give you a better understanding of how meetings work and what people talk about during them.

Another important thing to do is stay up to date on industry trends and issues, according to Mandy Stadtmiller, editor at large of xoJane. This will help you learn about new topics, stay abreast of current events and find inspiration for future projects.

You can also take advantage of social media, which is a great way to network with journalists and editors, especially if you’re interested in working on news sites. Many editors and freelancers use Twitter to find new leads and connect with potential hires, according to Stephen Bush, assistant comment editor at The Telegraph.