Q: I am about to enter my senior year in college and I'm at a crossroads and am unsure which direction to go. I want to be able to gain an internship at a specific newspaper (where previously I interned in the research department) when I graduate next year.
I have the option of doing either a semester-long internship at the local daily where my college is or taking a course called "The Press in America," which focuses on media theory and on journalistic writing. I have had an internship on a daily before, albeit short, and I have freelanced. I have also served in senior editorship positions on my school's weekly for the last year and a half and a section editor for the previous two.
Which do you think would benefit my résumé more? Unfortunately, I can only take one, based on how my schedule has worked out. Also, do you think it is inappropriate to write to the editor of the specific newspaper and ask him his advice? I met with him briefly while I interned there last summer about my career goals, so he knows of me, but I'm not sure if it would be a bad move to e-mail him asking him about this before I officially ask him for an internship next year.
Thanks,
A little too Type A
A: The internship would help you way more than taking "The Press in America." No question.
Yes, by all means, let this editor know what your plans are and ask for advice about how to achieve them.
