This fall the Foundation announced an advertising internship program with a twist.
The Foundation’s role includes recruiting qualified students from the Midwest region, setting up the application and selection process, and providing a two-day sales training program for the students before they begin.
Newspapers that sign up for the program agree to offer at least minimum wage ($7.25 per hour) to the selected student, cover the student’s FICA and Medicare taxes that they cannot recover, and offer a commission of at least 1 percent (5 percent preferable) for a minimum of eight 40-hour weeks. (Commission does not apply if hiring a graphic designer.)
Newspapers may CLICK HERE TO APPLY by completing a simple electronic registration form.
Although this involves a cost , an advertising intern means an additional salesperson or designer – and increased revenue – for the host newspaper during the summer.
Advertising directors may set the actual work dates with the student after selection. University schedules vary, as do students’ academic and/or family commitments.
The Foundation will notify business and journalism schools of the openings available and ask students to rank those newspapers where they could work and find housing.
Ad directors who hire the students will chose from the applicant pool. Unless only a few students and newspapers apply, the Foundation will set a day ad directors can review all applications at the HSPA office.
Pam Lego, MAP advertising director at HSPA, will provide a two-day training for the interns so they receive some background before heading to the newspapers.
Deadline for applying is Friday, Jan. 24. Recruiting will begin as soon as the Foundation knows which papers to list. The search will target school newspaper sales staffs and business majors.
