The reasons

The endless connections: Before I was a CICM intern, no one on the twittersphere knew who I was. But after having my name published on the blog and having the opportunity to talk with students and educators in the industry, I could strengthen my professional relationships and my online branding. Since then, I’ve been involved with organizations like CoPress, Publish2 and Spot.Us.

Creative freedom: Bryan lets you do whatever you want with this internship (at least he did when I was around). It’s a chance for you to experiment with any crazy story-telling methods you want with an audience and a purpose.

Stay on the cutting edge: As a college journalist, you should want to know the latest and greatest going on with college media across the nation (and world). As CICM intern, you can get to know the big names and basically force yourself to stay on top of what people in the industry are doing and saying. Once you tap into that knowledge sphere, you won’t be able to unattach yourself.

Learn a blogging workflow: Sure, you could get an internship at a copy desk at your local paper where your hours are set in stone. Or, you could strengthen your ability to work on web-only deadlines and take part in collaborative, virtual editing through the CICM. And if you work with Bryan to install Edit Flow (CoPress’ workflow management plugin for WordPress), you can carry that editorial workflow experience into your college newsroom or even the professional newsroom.

Cha-ching: Although money shouldn’t be the primary reason you decide to take the internship, it’s one hell of a motivator. It’s rare to come across paid internships in the journalism field. $500 could buy you some sweet new multimedia equipment, books for next quarter, a month’s rent (or half  month’s rent if you live in a place like LA).

What I’d do if I could do it again:

• More data collection (and subsequent analysis)
• More interviews and reporting
• More community building
• More collaborative projects with other organizations
• More tutorials (with video)

Also, if you take a look at my application essay, there were a few projects that I never got around to:

You have the weekend to write your own application essay. From the CICM blog:

How to apply: Send a copy of your resume and a 250-word essay (or post on your weblog or web site, even better) explaining what ideas you have for the site to me at scmurley@gmail.com. Include links to any multimedia you have produced in the past.

Be forewarned - I will be posting a poll for readers to vote on who is the best potential intern (results will be viewable only by me). However, the ultimate decision on the intern is made by the CICM directors. The winner’s name will be posted after they have been notified and accepted the internship.

Deadline for applications: Monday, Feb. 1, 2010

If you have any questions about my internship experience, post ‘em in the comments or shoot me an email: lauren-dot-rabaino-at-gmail-dot-com or the current intern, Jenna Staul, at cicmintern-at-gmail-dot-com. If you have any logistical questions, email Bryan Murley scmurley-at-gmail-dot-com. Good luck.

Students at the 2009 Associated Collegiate Press Conference in San Diego, Calif. discuss ideas on modernizing journalism education in the 21st century. This video was produced as part of my internship at the Center for Innovation in College Media.

Students at the 2009 Associated Collegiate Press Conference in San Diego, Calif. discuss ideas on modernizing journalism education in the 21st century.

This week’s #collegejourn chat is yet another example of how great minds can come together with great ideas (if you’re unfamiliar with #collegejourn chat, read more info here). After an extra hour of chatting, a small group of dedicated #collegejourn chatters have devised a plan to get college educators on board with the 21st century:

What: “Bring a professor” Chat

You all probably know from Twitter, but for those of you who don’t: I was chosen as the first intern for the Center for Innovation in College Media.

It’s a huge honor to be a part of the organization, but now it’s time to get to work. I have big plans (which Bryan said were perhaps over-ambitious), but I know I can follow through with it all. 

In addition to interviews with media professionals and discussions with students, I have tutorials in mind which will be part of my “Nationwide Classroom.”

How it works

• We post a tutorial
• You take your tutorial to the newsroom/classroom
• Implement what you learn and post it to our comments
• We feature the best work as a result of our tutorial

My resume

My portfolio

My Twitter

My blog

One problem: Not everyone is a Web guru.

True, Gen Y has grown up immersed in technology and new media. But Gen Y mostly knows how to absorb that content, not necessarily create it.

They need someone to show them the light.

Hello, I’m Lauren and I have what it takes to teach budding journalists the ropes.

I know, because I’m one of them. And I know that the best way to teach multimedia is by using multimedia.

A few possibilities:

Cover it Live

• Live multimedia critiques
• Students paste in their link
• Everyone can contribute suggestions/praise
• Creator of the multimedia can share how it was done
• When it’s over, I blog about what we learned

Skype

• Live conference calls
• Q&A style
• Students, pros and educators call in
• Feature a different topic each week
• When it’s over, post the audio as a podcast

Mogulus

• Live-streamed interviews
• Not only with “movers and shakers” but the average college j-students, because they are the ones who need the most guidance
• What’s working and what’s not? How can we help them restructure?

YouTube

• Visually-based, video tutorials
• That are designed even for the non-tech savvy
• Focus not only on the production of multimedia, but training staff and revamping antiquated systems

Despite competition among colleges, at the end of the day, we’re all in this “saving the industry” thing together.

Let’s do it.