The RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM lets undergraduate students of all majors act as staff members for Research Publications in the Office of the Vice President for Research at Penn State University. Students work as writers for Research/Penn State magazine, R/PS Online, and the Office of the Vice President for Research homepage, and contribute to other online projects such as the Community of Science Resource Page and the Odyssey Through Literature Archive.
Research/Penn State magazine samples the diversity and drama of Penn State's research program as a public service to inform, entertain, and inspire the University community. It is not a technical publication, but a general interest magazine that consistently wins writing awards. Copies of back issues are available in 320 Kern. R/PS Online contains full text of the printed edition plus additional stories only available online.
As a Research Publications intern, you will learn such practical skills as: how to analyze a magazine for style; how to write for different audiences; how writing for the web differs from writing for print media; how a website is created; the steps involved in magazine publishing; how to conduct an effective interview and work collaboratively with sources; how to find the story in an assignment; how to present technical and scholarly information to a general audience; and how to work with editors and art directors. Writing critiques will be one-on-one with the editors. You will be required to research illustrations (including copyright, availability, and cost) and scan them in or otherwise obtain them in the format needed by the art director and/or web designer. You may also be involved in advertising the magazine or websites through print, poster displays, or other media.
CREDIT:
Three credits of English, Journalism, or Comparative Literature can
be arranged. One-credit or no-credit internships are also possible. Interns
are not paid and must schedule regular hours (10-20 hours per week depending
on the credits earned).
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for an internship at Research Publications, submit a portfolio containing: 1) a resume; 2) a cover letter explaining how the internship fits into your career plans; and 3) two complete prose pieces of any length, fiction or nonfiction. Send your portfolio to: Editors, Research/Penn State, 320 Kern Building, University Park, PA 168023303; or by e-mail to editor@research.psu.edu.