Ok, so I've been working at the local newspaper as an intern since October, and I love the job, get along well with people here, getthe occasional complement on a story, even (woo hoo!). And now as the end of my internship approaches (they want new summer interns), I dread having to go find another crappier job as filler. In short, I want to stay, dammit!

Now I know they have hired interns here before (there's at least three ex-interns in the office now, and my boss mentioned this upon my first interview for the internship), and there's several people leaving positions (though I don't know if she's found replacements for all yet. And those are full-time positions, though some part-timers going to school have or do work here also). Nobody has said anything to me about the future here, or mentioned the end of the internship much. I'd be willing to stay at the job after graduation and go full time (next spring), but problem being now I could only work part-time, and about the same amount of hours I'm working now until then (about 10-12 hours per week, unpaid), because one of my majors requires me to have two 3 1/2 hour long classes twice a week, and I can only work at the paper from 8-5 as well, plus having to leave time in my schedule for assignments requiring I be on campus during the day (argh).

What is the etiquette for asking to stay at a job in a situation like this? What should I say/do? And is it completely unrealistic of me to ask about staying on when I can't do it full-time or at longer hours than I'm already working for a year?

Thanks- Jennifer

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2000

Answers

Jennifer,

If I were you I would ask your boss if you could sit down and talk with her for a minute in private. Once there, just tell her how much you enjoy (love?) the job and how you think you're getting pretty good at it, etc. Explain your availability until next spring, and say that you would want to be full-time after that. And then propose working part-time! I have a really hard time believing she would turn you down, based on everything you have said.

You might want to throw in some suggestions of what more you could be doing, or ideas you have for the office, etc., so she will see that you are motivated.

Good luck! I'm jealous. :D

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

I turned a magazine internship into a job, and you can, too. It took a while, though -- the place I worked had a small staff, and all publoications these days are watching their budgets (and some have union rules about positions they can or cannot add, and who is eligible for such jobs -- some jobs are internal only, others are available to anyone).

Make yourself as indispensible as you can, but also be patient. When my internship ended, I continued to be a presence at the publication by freelancing. When a staffer went on maternity leave, I filled in for a few months. Same when another went to do her army reserve work. Eventually, staff positions open up. But it may take a year or more (mine did), and you need to be realistic about supporting yourself int he meantime. Freelance, for them, for anyone who'll give you an assignment and cut you a check, and be ready to jump on any opportunity. Keep sending them well-thought-out query letters with stories you want to do for them. Good freelancers are hard-to-find, especially good freelancers who have worked at the publication and know its requirements and idiosyncracies. In the meantime, throw your name into job banks -- the Society for Professional Journalists has one (or had one), and I think Women in Communications also does.

Best of luck!

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

Jennifer -

I agree with Clemintine.

1. Articulate that you want to stay. Start from day 1. We have contractors at my company who ask (read: pester) us daily about available opportunities AND IT WORKS! If the company knows you're interested, they are more likely to keep you. And it saves them a boat load in costs of trying to find, retain, and retrain another person. You could even coordinate the new interns or something.

2. Sell yourself! Look around the office and see what you do best - especially in areas where the person is leaving.

3. Everything you are asking is completely realistic. It happens all the time.

4. There is no etiquette in asking for a job, you just do it. I'd wear clean clothes & brush my teeth that day, but otherwise just do it :-) The sooner, the better though. This *IS* one instance in corporate america where the early bird gets the worm.

5. Keep in mind that if this doesn't work out, it isn't about you. From what you've said, the company is giving you positive strokes about your performance. If the newspaper can't accomidate (sp?) your schedule, don't take it personally. You never know too, they might be interested in you once you graduate and are free from the schedule requirements.

Good luck! (I'd love to know what happens!)

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

I'm sure you'll have no problem at all if they think so highly of you, but if they can't accommodate your schedule maybe you could freelance for a while, to keep involved? Good luck!

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2000

Update #1: Talked to the guy in charge of internships (though oddly enough, he wasn't the one who hired me), and he said that my getting a summer internship at the paper (they have a different kind during the year- more full-time position than the one I have now, working 30 hours a week instead of 10) would help a lot with getting hired, and I could probably get it (there's space). And with so many people leaving in the next few months...who knows? ;)

Now waiting around to talk to my boss about it when she has time. We'll see... =)

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000

Woo hoo! My boss said I was head and shoulders above the rest of the applicants, and I'm hired on for summer interning. And even today I just got assigned to do (paid!) news stories during the weekend. Yay!

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Congratulations Jennifer! See, we knew you'd cane it!

I love it when people ask questions on this forum and then keep us updated on the proceedings!

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2000