With the first of two deadlines for EIA summer funding approaching on March 15, it has come to my attention that some of y’all are FREAKING OUT about summer internships, funding, housing, and, thusly, your own (in)significance in the world. I overhear you talking with your friends at the other end of my lunch table in Atwater, debating whether it’s appropriate to include your 11^th grade Model U.N. exploits on your resume. I detect the thin current of panic in your voice when you come into the EIA to clarify a deadline for this or that internship. I overheard you, once, say to a friend who hadn’t started looking for internships (the first week of J-Term), “Whoa. You better get on that. I mean, what are you going to do…like, work at Whole Foods?” (OH GOOD GOD, NOT WHOLE FOODS.)

To assuage some of your anxieties, I thought it might help just a little to offer some advice from someone who’s “been there,” that is, gone through the processes that are freaking you out so much. Applying for funding. Holding down your first “real person” internship or job. Finding a place to live and paying the rent. Living on your own in a new city or area of the country. Giving a Skype interview. Wearing “slacks?”

 Eliza Wallace, a junior from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, was in your same boat at this time last year and guess what — it all turned out totally fine. Eliza, a joint English and Geography major, ended up interning with Ugly Duckling Presse and zingmagazine last summer and working part-time at a (pie!) bakery in Brooklyn. Eliza was kind enough to answer some questions via e-mail–while studying abroad in Istanbul, Turkey–about her experience finding her internships, applying for summer funding, and procuring housing in Brooklyn.

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“In Their Own Words” is an ongoing series featuring the experiences of Middlebury students at their summer internships. This summer Ellery Berk ’14 interned with Gardens for Health International in Kigali, Rwanda.   

What did you do?

For the month of June, I interned with Gardens for Health International as a communications intern, conducting interviews, collecting media and writing blogs. Gardens for Health  is an agricultural NGO that partners with Rwandan health centers to equip families facing malnutrition with the knowledge and resources for greater self-sufficiency.

What did you learn?

Through Gardens for Health, I learned anew the values of self-sufficiency and community, and I have great expectations for our partnership moving forward. I learned that it is very important to be flexible.

What are your plans for the future?

My interest in development and global health remains strong; however, I realize that my place in the field likely does not lie in a small grassroots organization. While in Rwanda, I found that the most effective work Gardens for Health did was completed by Rwandans themselves. Expat staffers provided programmatic and technical support for Rwandan staff members, but little else. From this experience, I’ve learned that if I want to continue in the global health and development field, I should probably work with larger organizations, like Oxfam or the UN, and I should get an MPP and MBA.

Think this experience sounded pretty cool? Check out opportunities like this and more on MOJO.

“In Their Own Words” is an ongoing series featuring the experiences of Middlebury students at their summer internships. This summer Bianca Giaever ’12.5 interned with Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, MA.       

What did you do?

I worked on Cape Cod producing radio for NPR producer Jay Allison. I can’t imagine a better internship for someone interested in radio journalism. It was a small company, so I was able to do very important work. I spent the majority of the time in the field interviewing and editing my stories, so I now have built a very strong portfolio of my work.

What did you learn?

While I was there I assisted in producing the NPR show The Moth Radio Hour, made radio stories for the Cape Cod NPR Station WCAI, and also worked on their website Transom.org. Some of my work was featured on Transom, and you can find it at this link: http://transom.org/?p=29835. It’s a good summary of the work I did this summer.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m continuing to work for APM this fall from Middlebury and I’m now being paid to do so. I’m sharing my experience with others through the radio journalism and storytelling work I do on campus, organizing The Moth and teaching radio workshops. This experience has confirmed that I want to work in radio journalism after I graduate. APM has provided me with a number of connections to continue working in radio after I graduate, and I have already been in contact with The Moth and a few NPR stations.

Think this experience sounded pretty cool? Check out opportunities like this and more on MOJO.

The Christian Science Monitor.

Green Chemistry Program.

Democracy for America.

Ah, you ask, what could these three things possibly have  in common?

They are all offering winter term internships for Middlebury students! (The Christian Science Monitor has also probably written about both the Green Chemistry Program and Democracy for America, but that’s beside the point).

So riddle me this: what do the New England Review, Roots for Health and Senator Patrick Leahy have in common?

Check out these awesome winter-term internships and more on MOJO. Apply today!

British Council. DC. $10/hour. Flexible hours (20/week). What more could you want?

The British Council is looking for a current student or recent college grad to shoot and edit video and pictures, manage social media and update their website, among other tasks. If you have strong writing skills, experience with blogs and other social media and are interested in US/UK relations, then this opportunity is for you!

The deadline is this Friday, September 21, so take a look at the British Council Communications Internship details today.

Even if this particular internship won’t work with your fall schedule, keep in mind that such positions are available at the British Council!

Check out other internship opportunities at go/middmojo.

So you’ve heard of an internship. You’re thinking of doing one. But where?

How about at a startup? New School University student Danielle Small has some great reasons to pursue an internship at a startup – ten reasons, to be exact. Constant inspiration, flexibility, no bureaucracy, free food… the list goes on. After interning at a startup herself, Danielle “quickly found out that this wasn’t a traditional internship filled with coffee runs, but it was a crash course in what it takes to be an entrepreneur.”

Check out the whole story – 10 Reasons Every College Student Should Intern at a Startup.

Convinced? Ready to find an internship at a startup? Start at Mojo, Midd’s first stop in finding an internship. go/mojo

Are you looking for some writing or publishing experience? As we begin to add more summer internship opportunities to MOJO, keep your eyes peeled on all of the great positions provided by Midd alum and other connections. These four internships in the Communications and Media fields offer hands-on and direct experience for those of you interested in journalism, publishing, or writing. While I’ve highlighted these four today, be sure to keep checking MOJO  for the latest and greatest in summer internships. But for now, check these out:

1.       Spring: Editorial Intern at Rock and Ice Magazine in Carbondale, CO

Deadline to apply: February 29, 2012

This opportunity, provided by Midd Alum Alison Osius ’80, is perfect for a graduating Feb looking for some experience this spring! Rock and Ice is the only magazine owned and operated by climbers; it offers inspirational and informative advice for climbers of all ages and skill levels. Responsibilities include writing magazine pieces, copy editing, and researching stories and fact checking—perfect for those English majors looking for publishing experience.

To learn more about Rock and Ice, check out their website: http://rockandice.com/about-us/internship

2.     Assistant Editor Online at Pregnancy Magazine from campus/home

Deadline to apply: June 15, 2012

Actively managing an area of the Pregnancy Magazine website, this intern will be guided by a senior editor and the publisher. You will be directly responsible for increasing website traffic through social media sources, and will manage editorial projects from campus during the semester. This is an opportunity to have a hands-on role and experience in modern publishing through a flexible schedule.

3.       Awkward Intern at AwkwardFamilyPhotos in Los Angeles, CA

Deadline to apply: May 1, 2012

Provided by Midd alum Mike Bender ’97, this opportunity would allow you to help with the day-to-day happenings at AwkwardFamilyPhotos. Tasks would include assisting with the website, the production of their new youtube show, books, calendars, greeting card etc. Check out their fun website for more information: http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

4.      Editorial Intern at Vermont Independent Media/The Commons in Brattleboro, VT

Deadline to apply: March 11, 2012

Vermont Independent Media (VIM) is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing news and media education to Windham County, Vermont. Our editorial interns receive a practical, hands-on apprenticeship with our staff and are assigned to a particular section of the paper (News, Voices, Arts, Life & Work), where they will assist the editors and staff reporters with research, communications, photography, art research, proofreading, and web development/new media projects that we are slowly introducing into our broadband-starved readership. Midd alum Jeff Scanlon ’89 is providing this opportunity.

Do you want to gain invaluable work experience this j-term but don’t want to miss all the fun happening on campus? Apply to be the Marketing Public Relations Manager at the Shelburne Museum.

Description:

• Work directly with Manager of Public Relations and Marketing to assist with marketing and public relations at Shelburne Museum. Emphasis on social media and video production.
• Generate facebook postings, tweet and update web site. Assist with creating video content for the Museum’s YouTube channel and web site!!!

REQUIREMENTS

·         Please note that video experience is necessary for this position! Excellent communication skills. Interest in the arts. Familiarity with shooting and editing video. Familiarity with digital photography and photoshop, a plus. Social media savvy.
Make sure to apply via MOJO before the deadline on November 6!

Jamrog Group, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Financial Representative and Intern. Northampton, MA

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, want real-world business experience and are looking to make a difference, then the Financial Representative internship with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network is right for you. We are looking for a few motivated candidates to join our Northampton summer team. Our internship has been highly rated due to its mentorship and career advancement opportunities, intern involvement, resume enhancement and unique appeal. But that’s just the beginning, other benefits include:

• Practical guidance in your career selection process
• The chance to develop networking and business relationship skills with the help of a mentor
• Flexible work scheduleSecurities registration and state licenses for life, health and accident insurance
• Compensation in the same manner as a full-time Financial Representative
• An opportunity to transition from college classes to a career in a Fortune 500 company

Application Deadline: April 16

Addison County Independent

Reporting and New Media Intern. Middlebury, VT

We’re hunting for a reporting and new media intern for Summer 2010 to join the newsroom at the Addison Independent, Addison County’s twice weekly newspaper. We’re looking for an enthusiastic writer eager to dive into the world of small-town reporting. In addition to covering stories around the county for the print edition of the paper, this person will also join the paper’s new online team to produce audio slideshows, videos, podcasts, and blog posts.

Benefits:

• Flexible start and end dates
• Stipend

Application Deadline: April 16

How to access LACN:

- LACN provides students access to job postings/internships from 29 top small liberal arts colleges

- In the middle of your MOJO home page, you will see ‘announcements’, ‘shortcuts’ and ‘JUMP TO.”

- Under ‘jump to’ you will see the link ‘LACN’

- Clicking on the link ‘LACN’ will bring you to the Liberal Arts Career Network

- Utilize LACN the same way you would utilize MOJO

- To return to MOJO, simply go to your LACN home page, and click on the link that says jump to ‘Middlebury College’

Lincoln Community School Lincoln, VT

• Serve as the Mexican Culture Language Teacher and teach beginning Mexican Spanish as  part of a K-4 integrated study of Mexico. 4 weeks, Tuesday & Thusday,1:00 – 3:00 pm. MOJO Keyword: “Lincoln.” Deadline: Nov. 6, 2009

C21 Jack Associates Middlebury, VT

• Work closely with agents in the Middlebury and/or Brandon offices. Individual would have the opportunity to learn the various daily tasks associated with the real estate sales profession. Deadline: Nov. 10, 2009

Kampfire Public Relations New York, NY

• Responsibilities as an intern would include theater PR work. Theatre duties include greeting and seating the press before the show, writing pitches to promote the show, helping create attention-grabbing Press Kits, assisting the cast & crew during interviews, photo-shoots and making public appearances at various theatrical functions. LACN Keyword: “Kamp.” Deadline: Nov. 6, 2009

Middlebury Footcare Middlebury, VT

• Students will be able to observe and learn about the inner workings of private podiatric medical practice through exposure to patient care and minor in office procedures, office personnel and staff responsibilities, practice management, third party billing and computer system.  MOJO Keyword: “Footcare.” Deadline: Nov. 6, 2009

Brighter Planet Middlebury, VT

• The Outreach and Social Media Intern will work with the Marketing Team to do outreach and copy writing related to environmental awareness- with particular focus on issues and stories related to climate change and carbon footprints. This collateral will be used for the Brighter Planet blog, media outreach, marketing materials, and partnership collaboration. MOJO Keyword: “Planet.” Deadline: Nov. 5, 2009

FAQ: Can I do one of these internships and get credit? (even though the deadline passed last week?)

The short answer is probably. If you’re interested in the internship, first  apply directly to the opportunity via MOJO (or LACN).  Then, next week during Winter Term registration sign up for a regular class.  Finally, if you’re selected as an intern by the organization after the deadline, and submit all the required materials for credit and are approved, you will be able to go through Add/Drop and change your Winter Term class registration.  Questions?  Contact internships@middlebury.edu