Alum Conversation is a new podcast series of The Middlebury Campus Multimedia. In this series, they interview Middlebury alumni. Some of them currently work at Middlebury College, some supplied the salmon at school dining halls, and some started the first mountain bike company in Afghanistan. They have diverse backgrounds, studied different majors, now work in various industries, but share the same passion for Middlebury. From the toughest class they have taken to their major decisions, from their favorite spots on campus to career advice, alumni will share their experiences at Middlebury, life after college, industry-specific information, and more. Click here to read or listen to the complete interview with Jason Vrooman.
The Artist Statement: 5 Do’s and Don’ts
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) staff read thousands of artist statements a year. Here is their advice on what to do, and what not to do.
The artist statement. Frequently required in residency applications, project proposals, and grant applications, creating this document can be a pain point for artists who want to get it just right. The goal is to get to the heart of who you are creatively, and how that informs your work. It gives you the opportunity to sell your work and ideas, which is not something that comes naturally to a lot of artists.
NYFA Staff members are no strangers to the artist statement, collectively reviewing thousands of statements a year. Here, they share five things they like to see in artist statements, and five pet peeves.
Q and A with Alums in the Publishing Industry!
Are you interested in a publishing career? There’s more to the industry than screening submissions and marking up manuscripts.
Four Middlebury alumni who have worked as editors, agents, reporters, and writers shared their insight into the multi-faceted world of publishing. They opened up about the most relevant trade publications worth following, their best advice for interviews, and getting the most out of any experience.
Isabelle Bleecker ’88, Founding Agent, Nordlyset Literary Agency
Krista Karlson ’17, Managing Editor, Active Interest Media
Peter Knobler ’68, Writer
Carolyn Kuebler ’90, Editor, New England Review
PCA Hannah McKenzie ’19 asked Isabelle, Krista, Peter, and Carolyn about the best strategies for entering and succeeding in the field. Take a look at their tips!
Hannah: What trade publications should students follow to understand the current trends?
Carolyn: Literary Hub and Publishers Weekly
Isabelle: Publishers Weekly is the best for the American market and The Bookseller for the UK. Both also have free daily newsletters. Online, Publishers Marketplace is a terrific resource for jobs. Also, Michael Shatzkin has a blog about changes in the industry. And last, Shelf Awareness is a free e-newsletter primarily for booksellers but with some industry news.
Krista: Columbia Journalism Review and the New York Times media column
Hannah: What books should students read regarding the history and future of the industry?
Carolyn: If you really want to dig deep into literary magazines more specifically, there are some really interesting books on the subject: The Little Magazine in America (1979), The Little Magazine in Contemporary America (2015), Paper Dreams (2013)–there are others!
Isabelle: Andre Shiffrin’s The Business of Books and Jason Epstein’s Book Business. Though both are a bit old now and lament the loss of a more golden time, they give some lively history and are by great editors. I don’t think there’s any book that describes what’s going on now well, especially the growth of the self-publishing and electronic and audio books. For the future of the industry trade magazines are better.
Krista: It really depends what your goal is. Letters to a Young Journalist by Samuel Freedman is decently helpful for people who want to work at a newspaper, although somewhat outdated since the media landscape has since changed dramatically. Congratulations, Who Are You Again? by Harrison Scott Key is good for people who want to write a nonfiction book or to freelance. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is meant for novelists but has some good, transferable advice that could apply to freelance journalists.
Hannah: What are some digital/technical skills you look for in entry-level candidates?
Carolyn: While we don’t expect everyone to have experience working with the same programs we work with, we do like to see a demonstrated ability and interest in learning new technologies. Software we use includes the usual Office suite; some Adobe programs, like InDesign, Photoshop, etc.; and website publishing, such as WordPress. More and more we’re interested in audio editing experience, too. As for editorial work, a familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style is nice, but not expected, for newcomers. For being a manuscript reader, participation in creative workshops is helpful.
Isabelle: The general Microsoft Office software set–Word and a familiarity with how to use the review tab is helpful. Excel, for the business side of things. It’s helpful to have some database experience as there’s a lot of data on the nuts-and-bolts side of the business. It may seem obvious, but if you want to be in the book business, first and foremost you need to be a reader. Ideally of the genre in which you want to work. And the more, the better.
Hannah: Do you have an interview dos or don’ts?
Peter: It’s most effective to be direct and candid. I try to control the impulse to be crafty; the most productive interviews I ever gave or took were undisrupted by calculation or doubt. Say what you’ve got to say; if your interviewer doesn’t want the person you are, you’re best not to waste your time at that job.
Isabelle: Be ready to talk about what you’re reading and to pitch a book (depending on what you’re going for). Present yourself as a problem solver. And in looking at job listings, think beyond editorial. There are lots of great opportunities in book publishing in sales, marketing, publicity, subsidiary rights. I started out in editorial and production and then moved to selling subsidiary rights–this is the business side of publishing and it entails licensing book content to other publishers, which earns money for the publishers and authors beyond book sales. Becoming an agent is a great combination of those experiences–I develop projects with my authors and also sell their book rights to print and audio publishers around the world, as well as for film and TV rights, among other rights. It’s dealmaking and creative work that makes every day stimulating.
Hannah: What is one key to success in the industry?
Krista: Persistence. You’re going to receive a lot of rejection. This was really hard for me to adjust to at first. It’s not personal. The more you push through rejection and learn from it, the more rewarding it will be when you have a success.
Carolyn: Willingness to try your hand at marketing or other areas of publishing, even if what really drives you is editorial acquisition and content shaping.
Isabelle: Publishing is not a well paid industry, but there is rarely a dull day or dull colleagues and that makes it very satisfying in the long term. It does often demand long hours and a willingness to jump in and take more things on. Putting in extra time can lead to success. Also, be deliberate in your choices. Aim to work for a publisher–or website, or news outlet–whose publications you really admire and can support.
Hannah: Any final tips to share?
Isabelle: Publishing jobs are very competitive. Internships give you a definite edge. Also, participation in any kind of book or writing-related activities–staffing a journal, working at a bookstore, interning for an agent. Those will give you a leg up.
Krista: Every experience is a learning experience. I worked for a year and a half as an editor at a fishing magazine, even though I had very little interest in fishing. But I had an amazing mentor and I learned a ton about journalism. I came out of the experience with very tangible, transferable skills, and way more confidence than when I started.
Carolyn: Don’t be afraid to ask people you know to ask people they know to help you locate some leads. A personal note from someone can help a hiring manager who’s looking at a lot of equally qualified (and overqualified) applicants. You could also contact literary magazines (or presses) who are looking for volunteers and get some experience that way. Also, more and more nonprofit presses are offering what they call editorial fellowships, for entry level candidates, in an attempt to diversify the field of publishing. Look for these, and ask around!
If you’d like to get in touch with these accomplished alumni and others, you can reach out to them on Midd2Midd.
Learn more about your Career Interests in the Arts, Media and Communications!
Journalism Students: Apply to The New York Times Corps
The New York Times Corps is a remote talent-pipeline program for college students interested in journalism to receive career guidance from New York Times journalists over a multiyear period. The application period runs through June 15, 2022.
Students who attend two- or four-year colleges in the U.S. and who are members of classes of 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 are eligible for the program. It is slated to begin in late summer 2022.
The program is specifically seeking undergraduates from underrepresented groups, such as students of color and/or students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Applicants who are accepted into the program will speak with Times advisers several times a year. Guest speakers and skill-building opportunities will be part of the experience. The length of the program depends on when a student is accepted, but ends upon undergraduate college graduation.
The Times Corps is a talent-pipeline program, not a job, and Corps members are not paid employees of The Times.
Click here to learn more about the program and to apply!
Job and Internship opportunities in handshake!
- Technical Production Apprentice – Deadline date: TODAY at 11:55pm
- Props Apprentice – Deadline date: TODAY at 11:55pm
- Staff Urban Planner – Deadline date: May 27
- Entry-level assistant (Literary agency) – Deadline date: May 27
- Education Intern (U.S. News and World Report) – Deadline date: May 27
- News Digital Strategy Intern (U.S. News and World Report) – Deadline date: May 27
- Marketing and Research Assistant Summer Intern (U.S. News and World Report) – Deadline date: May 27
- Advertising Sales Summer Intern (U.S. News and World Report) – Deadline date: May 27
- Coordinator, Talent Partnerships (VidCon) (Paramount) – Deadline date: May 27
- Digital Coordinator, Content Marketing – Deadline date: May 27
- Public Relations Associate – Deadline date: May 27
- Assistant Video Editor and Photographer – Deadline date: May 29
Local Job Opportunity – Social Media Jr. Manager
Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont handcrafts and sells men’s ties and accessories (from pocket squares to pajamas!) from its facility in Vermont. The company prides itself on the quality of its products and outstanding custom work and impeccable customer service.
Role Description
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Social media management (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest)
- Grow, engage, and measure audiences across social channels
- Plan, manage, and elevate the brand’s social content calendar
- Produce social content that resonates with customers and fans
- Influencer / media relations
- Actively develop new content creator and beauty editor relationships
- Manage brand communications with content creators (VIPs) and media
- Prepare and distribute PR kits to share product with influential people
- Creative production pipeline
- Produce in-house creative to support social channels for brand and founder
- Manage creative production for social and product with external partners
- Work with content creators to develop, collect and share UGC content
Click here to apply in handshake!
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)
New York Foundation for the Arts empowers the creative community by providing critical support, resources, and opportunities. Below you will find resources and upcoming webinars.
- The NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant program will distribute cash grants of $1,000 to artists with a disability who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis to cover art related expenses. The grant will be open to visual, media, music, performing, literary, and multidisciplinary artists who live in New York State outside of the five boroughs of NYC.
- Understanding Artist Visas: Your Questions Answered
- Panel on Film Financing to Finish Independent Projects
Click here to learn more about this organization and to access their resources.
Artwork Archive – An Artist’s Guide to Starting an Art Business
Artwork Archive provides artists, collectors, and organizations powerful tools to manage their artwork, career, or collection. Click here to download their free guide to starting an art business.
RAD Innovations – Project Management Internship opportunity
RAD-Innovations is a manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of adaptive bikes, trikes, and mobility equipment based out of Cornwall, VT (5 min away from Middlebury College campus in Addison County). We are looking for a full-time summer intern to work with us on all aspects of our business — sales, marketing, business operations, non-profit development, and more!
What’s the day-to-day like at RAD-Innovations?
- Fielding client communications via Zoho CRM, emails, and phone calls
- Facilitating trike and RaceRunner Zoom demos
- Creating offline and online marketing materials
- Communicating with international dealers
- Organizing and participating in community bike rides
- Organizing and planning production cycles and international logistics
- Working with our non-profit foundation to develop adaptive cycling communities worldwide
We are looking for someone who:
- …is an excellent communicator and fast learner
- …is a self-starter (comfortable initiating and working on projects with minimal supervision)
- …considers themselves a problem-solver (for working through the many problems that arise at a small business)
- …wants to learn about small business management
- …has an interest in cycling, adaptive sports, and/or (dis)ability advocacy
- …knows or is willing to learn basic mechanics (for understanding and communicating basic bike mechanics)
- …is willing to travel (we take cool, international business trips)
- …likes to be with animals 😊 (we are on a working farm with an office cat or two, a flock of chickens, a gaggle of geese, and two dogs freely roaming the property)
How is this different than other internships:
- …extremely vibrant, diverse, and dynamic work environment on a farm in Vermont
- …you will have support and freedom to tailor the internship to your interests – if you want to focus on SME practices, data analytics, non-profit development, or the nitty-gritty details of bicycle manufacturing and logistics, you will be able to target any area and make this experience your own
- …you will be a full collaborator – we encourage and expect all members of the team to share ideas and views, no matter their background or experience
Commitment -Full time (40 hours per week), though willing to work occasional overtime, especially during peak season, which is between May and September. We require in-person work.
Compensation
- Negotiable, based on commitment and experience.
- We offer housing on the farm (5 minutes away from Middlebury College), and you have options! You can either live with us (a family of three with three cats and two dogs) or on your own in a separate cottage. If this is something of interest, please reach out to learn more.
- We love sharing meals and usually have lunch and dinner together. We also have an open kitchen, meaning that you can use whatever is in the fridge and freezers to make your own quick meals.
Ultimately, we are looking for a kind, excited, and driven intern who is hoping to find diverse work experience in an incredible community. We are relaxed and family-oriented and hope to create a work environment that goes beyond the expectations of your normal small business. Do not hesitate to reach out to speak with us and learn more about RAD-Innovations. Click here to apply in handshake!