Many so-called entry-level editing positions require a year or more experience. If you don’t work at a part-time editing job, the only way to obtain experience before graduation is by doing one or more internships. You can also build an impressive portfolio by doing internships.
The following reasons (from the Internship Office website), also improve employability:
Ideally, you should plan your editing minor so that you are ready for an internship in your junior year. Many entry-level editing positions require a year or more of experience. If you do two years of part-time internships, you can meet that requirement.
Will I be paid during my internship?Some but not all internships are paid. An intern may do an internship for credit only. However, some sites will hire an intern after a semester of working for credit alone.
Can editing a book for someone count as an internship?All internships require a qualified supervisor who can help you strengthen current skills and develop new ones. You can meet that requirement by interning with a professional writer or by obtaining a qualified faculty advisor who will supervise your editing.
If I am already working as an editor, can I also sign up for internship credit?Yes, if the work site is approved. Follow the instructions on the web page Registering for ELang 399R.
Can I do an internship out of state?Yes. The provider must be approved by BYU, and an Internship Master Agreement must have been signed. Search the list at http://saas.byu.edu/internships. If the provider is not on the list, the following actions must be taken:
The Internship Office states, “The university provides liability insurance for each student who serves an internship to cover damage or harm caused by the student. The insurance covers up to $1,000,000 per student, per occurrence, $3,000,000 in the aggregate. The liability insurance, however, is only in effect when both the experience provider and the university have signed the Master Agreement, and the student is enrolled for the internship.”
Can I do more than one internship?A total of nine credit hours of ELang 399R will count toward graduation. You can divide that credit between two or more internships. Of course, you can do as many noncredit internships as you wish.
Can I be given credit for hours I worked the semester before taking ELang 399R?No. University policy forbids giving credit retroactively. Only those hours worked during the semester(s) you take ELang 399R will count.
If I get a “low” grade for ELang 399R, can I repeat the class to replace my grade?A low grade in an academic internship course cannot be replaced by repeating the course. The R designation of this course prevents repeating an internship for that purpose.
How do I find an internship?Finding an internship is similar to finding a job: you must locate, apply (sometimes a test is required), and receive an offer. This Web site lists possible internship opportunities for editing students. This is also where information about new internships will be posted. Check the list periodically. For additional resources, go to the Internship Office’s compilation of search resources: http://webpub.byu.edu/internships-byu/HTML/Student_resources.htm. The editing internship coordinator may also have suggestions.
Am I restricted to the internships posted on this site?No. You can find an internship on your own. However, the provider must be approved by BYU, and an Internship Master Agreement must have been signed. Search the list at http://saas.byu.edu/internships. If the provider is not on the list, the following actions must be taken:
The Internship Office states, “The university’s legal council has designed the Master Agreement to protect the university, student, and experience provider against any malpractice incidents or other issues that may endanger any party involved or lead to law suits.” Check with the editing internship coordinator to determine if the site has been approved. If it has, you may give the provider a copy of the agreement. Give the agreement, your filled-out experience information sheet, and your student agreement to your editing internship coordinator before you begin your internship.
Do I need a portfolio? How do I prepare one?Most internships do not require a portfolio. The Church magazines are a major exception. Before preparing a portfolio, review the information provided on this web site.
Do I need to obtain permission before including editing samples in my portfolio?Anytime you want to include text you have edited while on a job or internship you should obtain permission from the person or organization who owns the copyright. That person may want you to remove any identifying information. In making your request, state that you want to include the redlines or track-changes document as well as the final version.
What if I don’t have any editing samples yet?You won’t need editing samples for most internships. After all, one purpose of an internship is to develop editing samples. If you do need a sample, you can always copy a relevant item off the Internet and edit it.
CAUTION: If you edit material posted by your potential internship provider, you may unwittingly embarrass the provider so much that you won’t be given the internship. Use material from a related site, or first ask the provider if they want a sample from their web site. If you edit material from a potential provider, make it representative but short. You don’t want to edit so much there is not work for you to do later.
Do I need writing samples to apply for an editing internship?Editors often need to write as well as edit. Thus some providers, such as BYU Magazine, the LDS Church magazines, and LDS Living, give preference to applicants with relevant writing samples. If all you have written are academic papers, consider writing one or more articles similar to those the provider publishes. Be sure to study the provider’s publications and guidelines to learn how to make your articles acceptable. If you feel an article is good enough, submit it for publication as well as put it in your portfolio.
How should I write my résumé?Read the information on creating a résumé provided on this web site. Be sure to begin sentences about your duties and accomplishments with action verbs.
Where can I find the information needed to write a résumé specifically for the provider?Read the provider’s web site to determine
Practice answering the sample interview questions on this web site. If you haven’t already, also review the provider’s web site to determine
You may also visit the work place or call with a few well-chosen questions.
What if I have to have a criminal background check or drug screen before I start the internship?You have the responsibility of obtaining and paying for required checks and screenings.
What must I do to qualify for an internship?Some internship providers require only a passing score on their editing test. Others require ELang 350 either before or during the internship. A few, such as BYU Studies, require ELang 410 or 430.
If you will be doing copyediting or proofing, you should have 350 regardless of the provider’s requirements. You want to represent BYU students so well that the provider offers the internship again.
Are there any requirements other than working?Because this is an academic class, you are expected to do some reading and reporting. For three credits, you will write three reflection papers and make an informal oral presentation. Review the syllabus for further information.
Is the homework reduced if I take only one or two credits?Yes, you will have less homework. For two credits, you will write two papers: the midterm paper and the final paper as well as give the oral presentation. For one credit, you write the midterm and final paper but do not have to give the oral presentation.
Note: no matter how many credit hours you sign up for, you must do all the reading.
If I did all the assignments for an earlier internship, do I have to do them again?You do have to write the reports and give the oral presentation. You will not have to repeat the reading.
How many credit hours should I sign up for?You must work 45 hours for each credit hour. Homework time does not count toward your work hours.
Can I register for ELang 399 before I find an internship?You can register for ELang 399 whether or not you have been offered an internship. But you should set up an internship before the semester or term starts so that you can begin accumulating the required work hours ASAP.
What forms must I turn in to begin the internship?If the internship provider has been approved by BYU, you give the editing internship coordinator two forms: the student agreement and the experience information sheet. The agreement must be signed by your internship supervisor. You must turn in these forms before you begin your internship.
Do I need a faculty advisor?Although the student agreement asks for the signature of a faculty advisor, you do not need one if you have a supervisor at your internship site. Typically, editing interns obtain a faculty advisor when they are editing privately for an individual rather than an organization.
Must all of the legal forms be completed and filed before I begin an internship?The Internship Office states, “Ideally, contracts will be signed and filed with the Internship Office prior to the start of a student's internship. Nevertheless, university legal counsel has stipulated that the student may begin work as long as the student is enrolled and the contract is in progress and has a reasonable expectation of approval.” For our students, the required documents include the student agreement and the experience information sheet. For off-campus internships, an Internship Master Agreement is required before the internship can begin. Note: in some instances, an employment contract must be signed before the student begins an internship. However, this contract does not need to be filed with the university.
Can I fill my required internship hours over two semesters or terms instead of one?Some internships go both spring and summer or fall and winter. You can register twice for ELang 399R. Or you can register once, signing up for the total hours for both semesters or terms. In the latter case, inform the editing internship coordinator that you will need a T grade at the end of the first semester/term. The T will not affect your GPA for that semester. You will receive the final grade at the end of the second semester/term or when you finish your hours. Students typically choose the second option for the spring and summer terms.
Can I start an internship after the add deadline?Yes, but you must meet three requirements:
To petition:
For answers regarding specific situations, please contact the university Internship Office, 422-3337, or the Petitions Office, 422-6570.
What should I do if I am not given as much work during the semester as I signed up for?You must meet the requirement of 45 work hours per credit hour. If, however, the work at your internship diminishes through no fault of your own, you may petition the university for a reduction in credit hours (Petitions Office, B-150 ASB, 422-6570). Alternatively, you can pick up a second internship to supplement your hours.