Digital
I first came across Superstition Review (S[r]), an online literary magazine sponsored by Arizona State University, in a department newsletter. I explored their website, their social media, and their reputation via Google. I was hesitant about interning for the magazine, but, after working for two hours double-checking typos and checking off every other thing to include on an application (thank you, Google!), I clicked submit without so much as having seen a picture of an editor, let alone talking with one. Ever since I was accepted for this internship, I’ve noticed several benefits and drawbacks of online communication.
Advantages
Flexible Schedule
With the online format of S[r], I can have a flexible schedule, am able to learn computer-based skills that more employers seek, and it’s easier to network with our wide-spread audience. As someone who loves to make her own schedule, the flexibility of completing internship work whenever I want is ideal. This is especially the case since I do my best work in the middle of the night, when there are no classes available.
Got computer skills?
The online format also forced me to learn new computer skills. For example, before this internship I had no idea how to use Skype, Hootsuite, or half of the other programs and websites I’ve learned about since then. In fact, employers at the most recent career fair I attended were most impressed with these experiences and skills.
You have a new friend request!
As a result of this focus on technology, an online internship better enabled me to reach a wider audience. I’ve met so many people involved in the literary community and similar industries, who I never would have met otherwise. In fact, one day I received a LinkedIn message from one of my connections asking me to submit to her magazine—three months later, my poetry was published for the first time!
Disadvantages to Digital
Friend…or just another name to remember?
While there are several benefits to the online internship, there are some disadvantages as well. Although I might interact with several other interns via email or Skype, I just don’t get that same connection as in-person meetings. The S[r] Editor-in-Chief tried to combat this with optional, in-person meetings. I loved attending these meetings, because I would get to speak with her and other interns; however, this meant that I no longer had the flexible schedule. Ultimately, these meetings were replaced with literary-based events, in which interns were invited to participate. I now have stronger relationships with those interns who attended these events, but never really got to know the half that couldn’t come.
Please Stand By
The most troublesome issues with the online internship were the technological difficulties. Any disruption in bandwidth or a dead laptop battery ultimately meant I didn’t get my work done. This was especially horrible when I was a social media intern and had to update the Twitter page—actually updating it wasn’t the icky part. It was when my internet went out (which was a whole-heck-of-a-lot in the dorm rooms).
I first came across Superstition Review (S[r]), an online literary magazine sponsored by Arizona State University, in a department newsletter. I explored their website, their social media, and their reputation via Google. I was hesitant about interning for the magazine, but, after working for two hours double-checking typos and checking off every other thing to include on an application (thank you, Google!), I clicked submit without so much as having seen a picture of an editor, let alone talking with one. Ever since I was accepted for this internship, I’ve noticed several benefits and drawbacks of online communication.
Advantages
Flexible Schedule
With the online format of S[r], I can have a flexible schedule, am able to learn computer-based skills that more employers seek, and it’s easier to network with our wide-spread audience. As someone who loves to make her own schedule, the flexibility of completing internship work whenever I want is ideal. This is especially the case since I do my best work in the middle of the night, when there are no classes available.
Got computer skills?
The online format also forced me to learn new computer skills. For example, before this internship I had no idea how to use Skype, Hootsuite, or half of the other programs and websites I’ve learned about since then. In fact, employers at the most recent career fair I attended were most impressed with these experiences and skills.
You have a new friend request!
As a result of this focus on technology, an online internship better enabled me to reach a wider audience. I’ve met so many people involved in the literary community and similar industries, who I never would have met otherwise. In fact, one day I received a LinkedIn message from one of my connections asking me to submit to her magazine—three months later, my poetry was published for the first time!
Disadvantages to Digital
Friend…or just another name to remember?
While there are several benefits to the online internship, there are some disadvantages as well. Although I might interact with several other interns via email or Skype, I just don’t get that same connection as in-person meetings. The S[r] Editor-in-Chief tried to combat this with optional, in-person meetings. I loved attending these meetings, because I would get to speak with her and other interns; however, this meant that I no longer had the flexible schedule. Ultimately, these meetings were replaced with literary-based events, in which interns were invited to participate. I now have stronger relationships with those interns who attended these events, but never really got to know the half that couldn’t come.
Please Stand By
The most troublesome issues with the online internship were the technological difficulties. Any disruption in bandwidth or a dead laptop battery ultimately meant I didn’t get my work done. This was especially horrible when I was a social media intern and had to update the Twitter page—actually updating it wasn’t the icky part. It was when my internet went out (which was a whole-heck-of-a-lot in the dorm rooms).
Traditional
Unlike my experience with the online Superstition Review internship, my experience with Marooned Undergraduate Creative Review has been quite different. I first heard about this magazine via a flyer, but I hadn’t thought about it much more until its annual reading. Enter Mary, the girl jumped on my passing thought to join Marooned. She dragged me to the internship supervisor. With that brief talk (before another professor could even send a letter of reference) I had the job! Since I’ve joined, there have been several advantages and disadvantages to the in-person aspect of this internship, some similar to Superstition Review and some very different.
Advantages to the Traditional
More Discussion
With in-person discussions, there was much less of a focus on trying to communicate in a limited medium, like video chats, so conversation could flow more easily and more quickly. Furthermore, unlike online communication, in which I would immediately cut off communication with the click of a mouse, my conversations with the Marooned editors dwindled more naturally, and even continued after the official meeting when we left. We actually had the chance to talk without the awkwardness of when to hit the end button.
Not so socially awkward
Speaking of awkwardness, the great thing about being forced into a social situation is that you’re thrown to the wolves and have to adapt—no technology excuses here! We would actually have to talk to each other and get to know one another (that or spend several awful hours together in silence—no thanks!).
Disadvantages—computers are popular for a reason
Longer Hours (aka less time to sleep before meetings)
As many disadvantages in-person internships can have, the worst is the long hours! For example, each semester we send letters asking for donations. These letters include a printed sticker label, a return envelope with its own stick label, a brochure, and a letter, all of which must be put together by hand (totaling about 200 letters, 400 envelopes, 200 brochures, and at least 500 paper cuts). Definitely made me miss the now-seemingly-trivial loss of internet.
So, which is better: digital or traditional?
The answer to this question ultimately depends on what type of communication and work experiences you prefer. For example, I absolutely love the independence and flexibility of working online; however, I also enjoy the opportunity to connect with other interns and even the literary on a face-to-face level. I sometimes wonder which is better suited to prepare me for my future career: the one that encourages technology-based skills or the one that encourages stronger relationships.
The only answer I’ve come up with thus far—why not both?
Unlike my experience with the online Superstition Review internship, my experience with Marooned Undergraduate Creative Review has been quite different. I first heard about this magazine via a flyer, but I hadn’t thought about it much more until its annual reading. Enter Mary, the girl jumped on my passing thought to join Marooned. She dragged me to the internship supervisor. With that brief talk (before another professor could even send a letter of reference) I had the job! Since I’ve joined, there have been several advantages and disadvantages to the in-person aspect of this internship, some similar to Superstition Review and some very different.
Advantages to the Traditional
More Discussion
With in-person discussions, there was much less of a focus on trying to communicate in a limited medium, like video chats, so conversation could flow more easily and more quickly. Furthermore, unlike online communication, in which I would immediately cut off communication with the click of a mouse, my conversations with the Marooned editors dwindled more naturally, and even continued after the official meeting when we left. We actually had the chance to talk without the awkwardness of when to hit the end button.
Not so socially awkward
Speaking of awkwardness, the great thing about being forced into a social situation is that you’re thrown to the wolves and have to adapt—no technology excuses here! We would actually have to talk to each other and get to know one another (that or spend several awful hours together in silence—no thanks!).
Disadvantages—computers are popular for a reason
Longer Hours (aka less time to sleep before meetings)
As many disadvantages in-person internships can have, the worst is the long hours! For example, each semester we send letters asking for donations. These letters include a printed sticker label, a return envelope with its own stick label, a brochure, and a letter, all of which must be put together by hand (totaling about 200 letters, 400 envelopes, 200 brochures, and at least 500 paper cuts). Definitely made me miss the now-seemingly-trivial loss of internet.
So, which is better: digital or traditional?
The answer to this question ultimately depends on what type of communication and work experiences you prefer. For example, I absolutely love the independence and flexibility of working online; however, I also enjoy the opportunity to connect with other interns and even the literary on a face-to-face level. I sometimes wonder which is better suited to prepare me for my future career: the one that encourages technology-based skills or the one that encourages stronger relationships.
The only answer I’ve come up with thus far—why not both?