BookCamp Toronto: Internships

I attended BookCamp Toronto this past weekend where Canadian book publishing professionals got together to discuss books and the publishing industry. This week on the blog, I'll be sharing key points from a few of the sessions I was able to attend on Saturday: digital publicity, tech platforms for authors, and internships.

As some of you may know, I've been an intern in the publishing industry for over ten months now. Both of my internships are on the agenting side of the industry, so my roles are completely different from what most publishing interns experience. Since I am an intern, I have a strong interest in what I like to call "the great internship debate." Are internships legal? Are interns exploited? Do we actually learn anything from interning? (If you're interested in my personal opinion, read this post.)

The internship session at BookCamp focused on how to make the most of an internship. I think the following advice is really important for current and future interns to keep in mind.

Before Your Internship

Know where you're applying. It's tempting to apply to every available position, but remember that you will be working for free (or for very little pay). Make sure you want to gain experience from the company and search online to see if any previous interns have said anything negative about his/her experience.

Choose an internship that is applicable to your interests. If you want to be an editor, then an internship position in publicity may not be your best option. You want to use your time as an intern to cultivate skills. Despite popular belief, most internship positions do not lead to a full-time job. Make sure you will be learning transferable skills during your time as an intern.

What do you want out of the internship? Really think about your answer to this question and then have the conversation. You are working for free and you should not be afraid to make your expectations clear. You increase your chance of success if both you and your supervisor understand what you want to learn from your internship.

During Your Internship

Network. Talk to as many people at the company as possible. Go outside of your department and introduce yourself. Ask questions. Make sure people know who you are and know what you are capable of doing.

Schedule meetings with everyone, not only your supervisor. If you're interested in what someone does for the company, ask them if they're available to have a brief chat. You want to learn as much as possible while you have the chance.

If possible, ask to complete one large project on top of your smaller, day-to-day, intern duties. If you have a major project finished by the end of your internship (most in-person internships in publishing are three or four months), then you know that you've shown the company your dedication and skills.

Always ask for feedback. Many interns go through their entire internship without getting any feedback. If you don't know whether you're doing a good job, then ask. Feedback will make you a stronger editor, publicist, salesperson, etc.

After Your Internship

Keep in touch. When it comes to finally finding a job, it all comes down to who you know. Don't be afraid to send the occasional email or tweet to say hello to someone you connected with during your internship. If you recently completed an internship, the people you worked with know that you're looking for work. They won't be surprised if you ask them to be a reference.

Other things to consider:

Don't go in to an internship expecting a job. Think of it as an extension of your formal education. The goal is to gain experience. Working for free isn't an ideal situation for anyone, so make sure you're getting the most from the experience. Many people now working in publishing started as interns. They understand the struggle. Make good use of your time.