Why be a This intern?
This Magazine is an exciting place to be. Our interns are able to see the entire process of putting together the magazine, from researching stories to newsstand marketing campaigns. Because the magazine has a small staff, interns at This Magazine are given a substantial amount of responsibility. The small staff also means that self-motivated interns will benefit most from the program. Past interns have gone on to positions at the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Now Magazine, Xtra, Saturday Night, enRoute, Canadian Forum, Precedent, Quill & Quire, Columbia Journalism School, Reuters, the CBC, editorial or communications positions at book publishers and non-profits, and more.
This Magazine offers internship placements per three-month term, starting at the beginning of January, May, and September.
Deadline for September applications: Extended to September 4th. Position will start mid-September.
What This interns do
Part of our mandate as a magazine is to foster the next generation of writers, reporters, photographers, illustrators, poets, and editors. So the interns work with the editor and publisher to make almost every aspect of the magazine happen. They help with the creative, administrative and yes, sometimes even the menial tasks necessary to putting out a national magazine. You’ll get a chance to help with assessing story ideas, fact checking, copy editing and proofreading, event planning, fundraising and learning how to run a magazine on a shoestring budget.
The internship also provides a chance to sharpen your writing skills. Bylines are expected, both in print and online. Additionally, you will be given an opportunity to learn and practice key research skills (reporting, library and online background research, and more) that will serve you well for a career in magazine publishing.
The work as an intern is plentiful and varied, and so is the range of skills and aptitudes needed: the ability to produce snappy, sharp writing for stories and press releases, patience for the detail-oriented world of fact-checking and circulation, and the financial savvy necessary to pull together an event with next to no budget. And of course, publishing a small, independent magazine requires an ability to take risks and work under the pressure of deadlines.
Interns often take on projects in their own area of interest, after getting a taste for each of the areas of magazine publishing. In addition, interns will help prepare for board meetings, help with display writing (headlines and coverlines), customer service, sorting mail, updating subscriber files, running errands and some tasks like envelope-stuffing—but no coffee-fetching!
How to apply
Send us a package, containing the following:
- Your resume.
- A cover letter, stating when you are available and explaining why you would like to be a This Magazine intern. Tell us a little bit about yourself, your concerns and interests, and how your political views affect the way you interact with the media.
- Three—five writing samples of published or unpublished editorial or promotional writing you’ve done in the past.
Internship Assignment
Shortlisted applicants are required to complete a short assignment on deadline.
Any questions?
Q: Does the internship pay?
A: Yes, our fall internship currently pays $500/month thanks to funding from the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors.
Q: When do the internships begin?
A: The internships start at the beginning of January, May, and September, and run for three months. We accept applications throughout the year, on a rolling basis.
Q: Can I intern part-time, or just for a month, or on some other kooky timetable of my own?
A: Sorry, due to the magazine’s publishing schedule and our own constraints in terms of staff time, we don’t have the resources to accommodate internships outside of the established cycle.
Q: Where do I send the application, and can I apply online?
A: We accept applications by mail or by email. Our mailing address is 417-401 Richmond St. West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3A8. Please email applications to editor /at/ thismagazine /dot/ ca.
Any other questions?
Please feel free to ask us your questions about the internship program by calling 416-979-8400 or emailing Lauren at editor at thismagazine dot ca.
