|
Erika StarkEmphasis Area: Magazine
Internship: Untapped Cities Term: Summer 2017 |
What internship did you choose, and what were your responsibilities?
I was an editorial assistant for the online magazine Untapped Cities. (basically a New Yorker’s guide to New York with a historical edge). I was essentially a one-woman show– I was in charge of reporting, writing and photographing stories at least 3 times a week. I think I published something like 30-40 stories in my ten weeks. This was on top of having other editorial assistant duties. This could have been a daily roundup of events that we posted as well as sharing my stories and others’ stories to the proper places on Facebook and other social media platforms.
Why did you choose the NY Program over other programs offered?
New York simply seemed like the obvious choice to me. I’m in the magazine sequence at Mizzou and New York is the hub for all journalism but especially magazine. I wanted to try to learn from the best but also learn how to navigate a city that I expect my career will one day take me. I wanted to see not only if I would like the city and the pace, but also determine whether or not I could handle it– I abide by the general assumption that if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.
What would you say to someone who is interested in the program but unsure?
I would say– go for it. I was a bit unsure of whether or not I wanted to do it, and I won’t lie, it wasn’t easy. But it’s also extremely rewarding. It’s a very expensive city to live in and of course the cost of the program isn’t cheap, but if you can swing it and preferably be open to unpaid internships, it’s like nothing else you’ll ever do– nothing compares to a real stay in New York. However, you better be ready to work.
I went in the summer, and consequently gave up a summer break I was used to having, so be sure to mentally prepare yourself if you choose to do the same.
I would also say to put in as much effort and time as you can spare applying for internships to find one that you really like and that will give you a lot of responsibility versus focusing on the big names. I was fortunate enough to find Untapped Cities; although it wasn’t a brand that many recognized, it provided me so much opportunity and hands on experience. The nature of the coverage as well made it so I was traveling all across the boroughs doing so many crazy different experiences– I zip lined at the Bronx Zoo, got a special tour of the New Yorker hotel (including the breathtaking view from the roof), went in the construction zones of Penn Station, etc.
I was an editorial assistant for the online magazine Untapped Cities. (basically a New Yorker’s guide to New York with a historical edge). I was essentially a one-woman show– I was in charge of reporting, writing and photographing stories at least 3 times a week. I think I published something like 30-40 stories in my ten weeks. This was on top of having other editorial assistant duties. This could have been a daily roundup of events that we posted as well as sharing my stories and others’ stories to the proper places on Facebook and other social media platforms.
Why did you choose the NY Program over other programs offered?
New York simply seemed like the obvious choice to me. I’m in the magazine sequence at Mizzou and New York is the hub for all journalism but especially magazine. I wanted to try to learn from the best but also learn how to navigate a city that I expect my career will one day take me. I wanted to see not only if I would like the city and the pace, but also determine whether or not I could handle it– I abide by the general assumption that if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.
What would you say to someone who is interested in the program but unsure?
I would say– go for it. I was a bit unsure of whether or not I wanted to do it, and I won’t lie, it wasn’t easy. But it’s also extremely rewarding. It’s a very expensive city to live in and of course the cost of the program isn’t cheap, but if you can swing it and preferably be open to unpaid internships, it’s like nothing else you’ll ever do– nothing compares to a real stay in New York. However, you better be ready to work.
I went in the summer, and consequently gave up a summer break I was used to having, so be sure to mentally prepare yourself if you choose to do the same.
I would also say to put in as much effort and time as you can spare applying for internships to find one that you really like and that will give you a lot of responsibility versus focusing on the big names. I was fortunate enough to find Untapped Cities; although it wasn’t a brand that many recognized, it provided me so much opportunity and hands on experience. The nature of the coverage as well made it so I was traveling all across the boroughs doing so many crazy different experiences– I zip lined at the Bronx Zoo, got a special tour of the New Yorker hotel (including the breathtaking view from the roof), went in the construction zones of Penn Station, etc.
