Internships

DC LIFE MAGAZINE EDITORIAL INTERNSHIPS
Company: Mestizo Media Group, Inc.
Address:
Location: Washington, DC
Application Deadline:
Positions: Part-Time, Unpaid (College Credit Available)
Timeframe: (Dates Flexible)

Editorial internships are available at DC Life Magazine throughout the year, and require a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week. Internships generally last for six months and openings occur approximately every three to four months. Internships are unpaid, but academic credit is available.

Standard Editorial Internship at DC Life Magazine
Our interns gain hands-on experience working closely with top editors in an environment that is both creative and collaborative. As an intern, you will be an integral part of the team responsible for researching, writing and editing this premier monthly publication.

A positive attitude and a willingness to learn are the most important prerequisites needed to apply.

Interns help us to connect more intimately with our audience by observing life in and around the city. Our interns are often the eyes, ears and feet of DC Life magazine. You will work on an array of projects, from fashion photo shoots to charity fundraisers. Interns will be assessed and graded openly by their level of contribution. Top assignments and rewards are based on your strengths and your initiative to produce relevant content.

Typical intern duties include: proofreading articles, fact-checking stories, researching writing, conducting interviews and investigations, attending concerts, parties and social events, restaurants reviews, nurturing potential story leads, uploading artwork, and email newsletter design.

Additional internship opportunities Listed Below:

Social Media Intern
Company: Mestizo Media Group, Inc.
Address:
Location: Washington, DC
Application Deadline: August 13, 2010
Positions: 3 Part-Time, Unpaid (College Credit Available)
Timeframe: (Dates Flexible)

Industry Focuses:
Administrative/Clerical, Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations , Business Development/Sales, Consulting, Customer Service, Education, Internet, Management/Support, Nonprofit/Social Services, Printing/Publishing/Media

Description:
DC Life Magazine has an in-house advertising agency specializing in brand management, marketing, and promotions. Our team provides one-on-one counseling services to small businesses in Washington, DC. Interns will have the opportunity to gain experience in an advertising agency. By the end of the semester, the intern will be guaranteed hands-on experience in their field, exposure to networking events and workshops and a strong reference and/or letter of recommendation.

DC Life Magazine is currently looking for Social Media Interns with strong knowledge and understanding of the digital media landscape, including various social media websites.

Interns hired for this position will need strong critical thinking skills in order to integrate into our vibrant and passionate team. Our objectives for the intern by the end of the semester include helping students develop contacts and interacting with professionals in their major via networking events and workshops. Also we provide opportunities for students to get involved with their communities. This internship will last up to 4 months, 20 hours per week and it will be held on location throughout the Washington, DC area. Please contact your academic dept. at your university to determine whether this internship can apply for college credit.

Responsibilities:

Contribute to website redesign project in various ways
Website data and presentation quality control
Monitor and post on blogs, forums, and social networks
Online outreach and promotion using Facebook, MySpace, Pinterest, Twitter, HOOTSUITE and more
Social media marketing
Website and social media optimization
“White-hat” Search Engine Optimization
New product profile creation and optimization
Product Feed Optimization
Keyword analysis
Cost/benefit analysis
Public relations and press release creation
Reputation management

Requirements:
Students applying for this internship should be Marketing/Business or Language majors, with 3 years of experience on the Web and a solid understanding of web-marketing. Interns must be involved in the organization and events, so they should enjoy social interactions and opportunities to meet people. Interns should have polished communication skills, enthusiasm, have some knowledge of social media and must be personable. Interns are required to sign release for any photo ops and television show pilots.

Qualifications and Skills:

Expertise with web design including HTML, Web browser capabilities, Photoshop, In Design, Office Suite preferred
A command of typography, color, composition, hierarchy design elements.
Experience observing user research and translating user research into design decisions
Excellent project management skills: able to work on multiple projects, reprioritize as needed, and consistently deliver on time.
Flexible, highly organized, and able to recommend priorities for projects.
Retail/E-commerce background is preferred
Analytics experience (Omniture, Webtrends, Google Analytics/Site Optimizer)
Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

** Access to Internet and software is required as this is a virtual position.
Please send your resume with a brief description of your objectives and expectations of the internship in relation to your educational and professional goals.
If interested in this position or any internship with Mestizo Media Group, Inc. /DC Life Magazine please contact Gigi Smith at careers@dclifemagazine.com for any questions you may have.

Research Internship Program at DC Life Magazine:
Candidates with an exceptional eye for detail, and a special interest in gathering and analyzing data may apply for our research internship. You will work closely with our research editor on a wide variety of projects such as best neighborhoods, top doctors and best places to work.

Advanced Writing Internship Program at DC Life Magazine:
This is an opportunity for an experienced writer with some professional writing experience who is interested in a career in magazine journalism. Writing interns can expect to receive one-on-one coaching from DC Life magazine editors, and will be given several longer assignments that will be published in the magazine. Candidates must submit published writing samples with their application, to be considered for this internship. There is flexibility in the length of this internship.

Online Internship:
DC Life magazine is looking for a intern to help maintain the definitive Web representative of Washington DC’s premier city magazine. This is a fast-paced internship that requires focus, organization and a willingness to shift gears quickly. DCLifeMagazine.com editorial assistants must have strong writing skills as well as a familiarity with content management programs. This is an unpaid 20-hour a week internship that lasts six months. Academic credit is available.

Typical Web intern projects include:

Importing/entering/formatting Datebook entries, Calendar events, Charitable events, Top Doctors and Special Dinner and Wine events; other events as needed.
Help build the online issue of the monthly magazine.
Use CS3/Photoshop to crop and resize photos for the web.
Re-do headlines to Web-friendly standards.
Write blurbs, decks and credits for stories from the print edition and for Web articles.
Compose credits for exclusive videos and edit original video footage into short web clips using iMovie or PC-related video editing tools.
Write stories and blogs as needed for the web.

The ideal Web intern has the following skills/knowledge/ideas: