Paste Media Group Internships: FAQs

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Deadline for spring 2010 internship (Jan.-May) is Oct. 18, 2009.

Q. Do you offer internships?
A. Yes, we do.

Q. What kind of internships do you offer?
A. We offer editorial, marketing/business, multimedia and design internships.

Q. Do you offer photography internships?
A. No.

Q. Do you offer web design or IT internships?
A. No.

Q. What do editorial interns do?
A. Editorial interns are primarily responsible for assisting Paste’s editorial staff with the day-to-day tasks of running the magazine. These tasks may include writing, editing and photography for the magazine and website, as well as administrative tasks such as assessing the CDs we receive each week and corresponding with subscribers, writers, and publicists. Web-focused editorial internships are also available, for which news writing and basic HTML skills are a plus but not required.

Q. What do marketing/business interns do?
A. Marketing/business interns work with Paste’s marketing and sales team on the day-to-day responsibilities of running a media company, including executing the marketing aspects of our online and new media initiatives. Interns assist with public relations and grassroots marketing efforts, as well as the planning and publicization of events and execution of strategic partnerships with venues and record labels.

Q. What do design interns do?
A. Design interns are responsible for the creation of effective and impactful design for print, web and other special projects. Interns primarily work closely with Paste’s marketing and business team. This position requires proficiency in Quark and/or InDesign, as well as working knowledge of Photoshop or a similar program; web design knowledge is also a plus. (Please note: While experience in publication layout and design are a plus, this is not an editorial design internship.)

Q. What do multimedia interns do?
A. Multimedia interns primarily assist Paste’s multimedia producer with the production of content for Paste’s numerous multimedia offerings, including the Paste Magazine Culture Club podcast and initiatives such as Video Of The Day, the PasteStation and PasteVision video podcast. Interns also assist in recording and editing live interviews and performances gathered both off-site an in the Paste studio. Previous experience with audio/video recording and editing software is required.

Q. What else do interns do?
A. In addition to specific department-related tasks, all interns assist with daily activities such as Post Office and office supply/grocery store runs, as well as maintaining general office organization and tidiness.

Q. Will I get to know the staff during my internship?
A. Yes. All interns work closely with members of their respective departments and are encouraged to participate in creative collaboration with members of the staff throughout their time at Paste.

Q. Are internships paid?
A. Beginning with the fall 2009 term, Paste internships are unpaid.

Q. What?! How do you expect me to live?!
A. Past interns have been able to supplement the stipend with part-time jobs and other freelance work. (Although we expect your internship to be your top priority, we are happy to accommodate part-time job schedules.) The real pay-out is the huge amount of hands-on industry experience you’ll gather on a day-to-day basis during your time at Paste.

Q. When are internships offered?
A. Our internships are offered year-round. Spring internships run January through May. Summer internships run May through August. Fall internships run August through December.

Q. Are internships part-time or full-time?
A. Both. We prefer interns to be available for a full-time commitment, but we do offer part-time internships to accommodate current college students’ class schedules.

Q. Do I have to receive academic credit for my internship?
A. No. However, we are happy to fill out any paperwork required of those students who are taking the internship for course credit.

Q. What are Paste’s business hours?
A. Monday-Friday, 9 AM-6 PM (excepting most major holidays).

Q. I have a full-time job. Can I still apply?
A. Certainly, as long as your full-time job does not conflict with Paste’s business hours. If you are unavailable during those hours, we unfortunately will not be able to accommodate you, as we require our interns to work from our office during regular business hours.

Q. I’m not currently a college student. Can I still apply?
A. Yes. Our internships are open to current college students and graduates alike.

Q. I’m in high school. Are there any internship opportunities for me?
A. Currently, we don’t offer a high school internship program. However, we have in the past and it’s possible that we will have one in the future. Please email internships@pastemagazine.com to express your interest and we will be in touch if the program is expanded.

Q. Is there an age limit for interns?
A. No, our internships are open to current college students and graduates alike.

Q. Where are your offices? Will I have to relocate for my internship?
A. Paste’s offices are located in Decatur, Ga., just outside of Atlanta. All of our internships are based out of Decatur, therefore you will have to relocate to the area if you do not already live nearby.

Q. Wait, I thought you were based in Ohio! Can I get an internship there?
A. Our Customer Service team, part of the larger Specialized Fulfillment Services company, is located in Kettering, Ohio. Paste internships are only offered through our Decatur, Ga., office.

Q. How do I apply?
A. All applicants must submit a resume and cover letter, detailing your previous relevant experience and answering the following questions: What are your career goals? Why do you want to intern with Paste? What do you hope to get out of your internship experience? Editorial intern applicants must also submit three examples of their writing, preferably published clips. Design intern applicants must also submit three examples of their recent design work. Materials may be emailed to internships@pastemagazine.com, faxed to 404.378.8872, or snail mailed to:

Paste Media Group
ATTN: Interns
PO Box 1606
Decatur, GA 30031

Q. Who should my cover letter be addressed to?
A. For editorial applicants: Nick Marino (Managing Editor). Marketing/business and design: Nick Purdy (Publisher). Multimedia: Kevin Keller (Multimedia Producer).

Q. What are the application deadlines for upcoming terms?
A. They are as follows:
• Spring 2010 - Oct. 18, 2009

Q. Whoops, I just missed the deadline! Can I still apply?
A. No application materials will be accepted for a given term after that term’s deadline has passed. However, you are welcome to apply for any upcoming terms.

Q. Can I apply for more than one internship position at a time?
A. Yes. If so, please submit a cover letter for each position you’re applying for, in addition to any other required materials.

Q. I’m majoring in [insert seemingly unrelated academic field here]. Can I still apply?
A. Yes. While many of our interns have strong academic backgrounds in their respective departments, others come from quite disparate disciplines. Some of our past interns have been political science, urban studies, history, English, and music theory majors. What made them strong intern candidates was their involvement in extracurricular activities, organizations and publications through which they developed and honed their relevant skills.

Q. I have no relevant academic, extracurricular or professional experience. What are the chances I could still get an internship?
A. Very slim.

Q. What do you mean by “published clips”?
A. “Published clips” include anything you’ve written that has been printed in a publication, such as news stories, trend pieces, Q&As, profiles, reviews, op ed columns, and so on. We do not require clips to be related to music or film. If possible, please submit clips as they appeared in print, whether in PDF form, photocopied or in hard copy form (rather than in a raw text document).

Q. I don’t have any “published clips.” What else can I send?
A. You may submit pieces submitted for publication that have not yet appeared in print, or you may submit mock samples of what you would submit if assigned a movie, book or album to review.

Q. Can I send examples of my creative writing, like short stories, poetry or a creative essay? What about an academic paper from one of my college classes?
A. Yes, but please note that we prefer published clips primarily and mock samples as an alternative, as creative and academic writing are not always effective indicators of an applicant’s journalistic or critical writing ability.

Q. Should I send over anything in addition to what’s required? Examples of my photography? Glowing letters of reference? Cookies? Large amounts of cash?
A. No, please don’t. If we need anything else, we’ll let you know.

Q. If I apply for more than one internship position, is there a chance I could be accepted for both?
A. Perhaps, but it depends upon your own qualifications, those of other applicants for the same position and our needs at the time.

Q. If I’m selected as a design intern, will I be working on Paste magazine itself?
A. No. Paste’s design interns primarily work on projects for our marketing/business team and are not involved in magazine design.

Q. Will you hire me after my internship?
A. We cannot and do not promise employment to interns. However, past interns are always welcome to apply for any positions that open up within the company for which they may be qualified.

Q. How many of your current staff members were once interns?
A. Currently, about one-half.

Q. How many internships are offered each term?
A. It depends largely upon the number and quality of applicants, but we generally offer internships to 8-12 applicants per term.

Q. If I’m not offered an internship for this term, can I reapply in the future?
A. Yes.

Q. Okay, I just submitted my application. How long will the decision-making process last? When should I expect to hear back from you?
A. We strive to make all decisions within a month of the set deadline. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application review once decisions have been made.

Feel free to email internships@pastemagazine.com with any further questions not answered here.

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