Q: What year in college should I start applying for internships? I’m currently a sophomore, and many internships I’ve explored say only juniors and seniors are applicable. Does this mean you must have junior status when your internship starts, or junior status when you apply? It’s very confusing. Basically, I’m just worried that there may be sophomores like myself who are getting jobs which I thought were closed to me. And finally, as a sophomore, what kind of internship
should I expect, if any?
P.W.
A: This is a test of your initiative and tenacity. Ignore instructions to not apply. If you don’t apply, you don’t get and the worst thing that can happen to you if you apply too early is the same thing that will happen to you if you don’t. Often, editors remember candidates from year to year and last year’s sophomore is this year’s junior.
I’d follow the apply-anyway plan if you attend a university that says it will not let first- or second-year students work for the paper, take certain classes, interview with recruiters — whatever. Try anyway.
Journalism will be a test of your ability to get people to do and say things they don’t think they want to. Start practicing now. And who knows? You might land that internship anyway.
Personally, I think class-year restrictions are lazy shortcuts to cut down the field of candidates without thinking. I’ve met many sophomores who were far more qualified than most seniors, and they merit consideration.
What should you expect as a sophomore? The important thing is not where you work but that you work. Try small dailies and apply near and far. People with experience will be the ones who get preference on paper and location. You’re working to become one of those experienced third- and fourth-year students.
