The Intern Diaries: 4 Reasons Why Networking with Other Interns Is the Best

This is one of a series of posts from The Intern Diaries, a summer guest blogging project hosted by Ed. Follow our intern from her first day to her last, and learn more about this crazy exciting industry.  Click here to read more from this season’s blogger.

During the first weeks of my internship, I felt really lonely at the office. Even though I was surrounded by editors who shared my obsession with magazines, I couldn’t talk about things like feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work I was doing because everyone was my supervisor.

That’s why I think that networking with other interns is just as important, if not more, than networking with editors. I’m not saying that you should ever pass on an opportunity to network with the magazine staff, but building a bond with other students or post-grads has some awesome perks. Just hear me out.

They introduce you to new resources. I learned about Ed2010 through a fellow intern, and every internship I’ve snagged since has been thanks to this site.

They’ve got current job-hunting expertise. While editors are full of magazine industry wisdom, it’s probably been a while since they were on the lookout for an entry-level job in the biz. Your fellow interns know about networking events, job-posting sites, and other savvy ways to catch an editor’s eye. Plus their success will motivate you to get your butt in gear, get that resume in shape, and write a cover letter like a boss.

You can’t vent to your supervisor. Having open communication with your editors is important, but there are topics that are basically off-limits. Whether you’ve got a question on how to talk to your editors, you’re having a rough day, or you just need to vent about getting the mail for the 5th time today, interns are you best outlet. (Just try not to complain too much. You don’t want to be that intern.)

Interns are your future colleagues. You never know which intern could become a solid networking connection or even a coworker down the road. That’s why it’s important to get to know as many as you can, and value those relationships as much as you would the relationships with your editors.

How has a fellow intern helped you? What is one piece of advice that you think other interns should know? I can’t wait to read your responses!