Ask the Recruiter

Q. I am currently on a summer Dow Jones copy editing internship at a top 50 metro daily, and the internship is about half over. I feel as though I've learned the system here extremely well, but all I've been asked to do so far is edit stories and write headlines. The other copy editors here all take shifts doing page design, Pagination and Web posting, but I have not gotten that opportunity. I have mentioned to my editor that I would like to get into those things if there's a chance, but so far nothing. I don't want to be annoying, but I also realize that a well-rounded internship is a necessity. How will potential employers look at my internship if all I've done is edit copy and write headlines and cutlines?

Also, who would be the best person to list as my reference? The section editor is usually not here during my shift, and there's a different editor each night.

Thanks!

Feeling Pigeonholed

A. How interesting. I just took both of our Dow Jones interns out for smoothies and asked them how they're doing. Both are working some Web shifts and like it.

Go back to your editor and try again. But don't say "if there's a chance." Try "let's schedule me" for some shifts on the Web desk. I find that some things tend not to happen until they are written on a schedule or a calendar. If that still doesn't work, I would go to the editor in charge of the area where you want to work and ask for help. This might be better for your editor than if you go "over his head" to a managing editor.

As for a reference, you can use any veteran staffer who has a supervisor or mentoring relationship with you. Don't ask whether the staffer would be a reference. Instead, ask what he or she would say as a reference.

Now, then, I want you to stop worrying so much. Your concerns are legitimate, but you are OK. You are working for a newspaper with a good reputation, and the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund copy editing internship is a solid gold credential. That alone can take you far. Try hard to broaden your internship, but don't worry too much if you can't.

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Coming Monday: This new journalism grad is crushed about the industry and fears she must already leave a career she loves. The prospect makes her sick. What should she do?

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