Meredith and the Internship Hunt

One of the greatest things about coming to Drake for journalism is that right here in Des Moines we have Meredith Publishing home of publications like Better Homes & Gardens, Midwest Living, Living a Country Life, etc. They have dozens of nationally read magazines. Which is, obviously, great for budding journalist types like me. I'll readily admit that having Meredith in the city was a draw. And it's still great...

But...

It does not - I repeat - does NOT begin and end with Meredith Publishing. I'm serious. Last year all the sophomores were all going crazy because everybody was applying for the Meredith Junior Apprenticeship progam thing that Drake offers. It's an awesome opportunity, you get class credit, real experience at a magazine... but it's insanely selective (only five students are selected). I obviously wasn't selected, but fellow blogger Kayla Porter (although, I guess it's Kayla Craig now) was. And that's awesome for her. But I think journalism students often spend so much time focusing on the Meredith factor that they forget that there are truckloads more opportunities out there.

Sure, apply for Meredith internships, but don't turn away from lesser known magazines or publications. Experience is experience no matter where you can get it. Who knows? You may stumble onto something really cool. Plus, I don't know how Meredith works or anything, but they're a huge corporation with a national reputation and maybe a smaller publication will take more chances on interns and give them more assignments.

Again, I don't know. But there are other options - LOTS of them. You just have to find them and not be so picky.