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Q. I am a junior journalism student at Ohio State, and I'm looking for an internship as soon as possible, and especially during the summer.

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However, I will not write for the school paper until spring quarter because I started taking my journalism classes later than most, and I have only written one article so far for a class. I thus have no real clips to send to prospective companies.

How do you think I should go about getting an internship with such a lack of clips? I realize because of this I will have to probably try to intern at a small community paper, but how should I explain to them why I have no clips but would still be a good intern?
Thanks

Tom

A. Most newspapers look for a minimum number of published clips before they will consider you.

Joe Grimm

No amount of explanation will compensate for the lack of clips. Other candidates who have them will simply possess a key qualification you lack.

Consider rearranging your school year so you take classes in the summer when you are unlikely to have an internship. Then work during the fall semester, getting an internship with those new clips you'll have.

More on clips, college and internships: "Breaking In: The JobsPage.com Guide to Newspaper Internships."

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Coming Thursday: She is burnt out on her current job and wants to get a new job but has no network, given the remoteness of her area.

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