SAMANTHA ROSENTHAL

The word “internship” can be very scary. It was quite terrifying to me for many years. I knew I needed one, but I did not know how to go about having one.

I was not sure how to write a cover letter or the correct format for my resume (thankfully my good friend who now works at MTV helped me out with that one; thanks girl!).

Finally, after getting all of the correct paperwork together, it was time to start applying to different internships. I love celebrity news and  attending celebrity events. Ever since I was young, going to concerts and meeting my favorite stars has been a monthly or even weekly event for me. I knew I needed a career in the entertainment industry for sure. I applied to hundreds–seriously, hundreds–of internships. I applied at places like Z100, Popstar Magazine, MTV, and Seventeen Magazine, basically any entertainment company you could think of, and I got no replies, not even one.

There were nights until I stayed up until 5am just applying to different places and just wishing and hoping and even crying over wanting just one reply. After months of applying at millions of places, I got my first reply. Teen.com is a very popular entertainment news website. It was based out of NYC, so I would have to commute there every other day for a few months, but I did not care. I was super nervous for the interview, but for some reason, I stayed pretty calm throughout the entirety of it, and I had a really good feeling after it was done. Confidence is key; even if you do not know what to do or what to say, just pretend, trust me.

About a week later I got an email saying I got the internship. I was ecstatic to say the least. I quit my sucky job at the movie theater and started at Teen.com. I was a nervous wreck. Although I have been around celebrities the majority of my life, and I was always on top of the latest news, this was the big league. They threw me right in, having me write a bunch of articles my first day and even interviewing a singer named Austin Mahone. I felt like was going to faint, but I pulled through. I felt as if I was not their favorite person, though, sadly, so I was nervous and uncomfortable most of my days there. They were nice, but I was always super intimidated. I got to do a bunch of cool things such as red carpet events, celebrity interviews, and I even got backstage access at some concerts! It was a dream come true, and I owe everything to the people at Teen for taking me in when I barely had any experience.

After I was finished at Teen, it was super easy getting more replies and offers. I shortly took an offer at Popmania.com for the summer, which was a remote position due to their offices being in LA. This was the same type of deal, but less events and more writing, because they were not super well-known. I loved it, though, and enjoyed working with them. They were awesome people and I would work for them again any day. Currently, I am interning for Popstar! Magazine. This has been my dream since I was 12 years old, hanging Jonas Brothers posters from that magazine all over my bedroom. I have applied to intern at Popstar! for years before finally getting the spot. Thankfully, my opportunity came this fall and I was welcomed to the Popstar! team. I get to interview a ton of celebrities and one of my best friends works with me! I love going into the office and writing; it barely feels like a job.

The number one thing to remember is never give up! I know that sounds so typical and lame advice, but seriously, do not give up. I would never be where I am now if I stopped my all-night internship applying sprees or constant emails to people whom never replied. Keep at whatever you are applying to, get the resume done, write a cover letter that shows your talents and personality and go get that internship. It is difficult at first, but it has a domino effect; once you get that first one, the pressure decreases and the offers increase. It is not impossible and it is not the end of the world if you do not get that first internship you apply for. You will end up exactly where you are supposed to be if you keep trying and reaching for your goals.