Occasionally, the Capri Lounge will open up its doors to the hard-working interns here at RS. Here's the first dispatch from the unpaid labor battlefield.
We’ve Got Skillz…
The morning begins like this: each day, like clockwork, interns congregate around the round table to begin compilation of the media packet (a collection of news clippings distributed to the editors each day). Communication is minimal, since we're all technically still sleeping. Without a strong dose of coffee in my system, my grammar is a cross between peevish toddler and Yoda: "Sleepy, I am."
Admittedly, I am not a morning person. But few jobs begin around noon, which makes snoozing late a thing of the past. Former jobs never really required much of me (my first resume was so bare that I cited skills I thought were impressive just to fill space: "I can swim" and "recite the alphabet." I omitted "Churro making," as I thought that wouldn't be an applicable skill).
Like Terminator 2, It's Us Versus the Machines
Following the clipping comes the copying. While this seems like dull work it really is quite strategic, as all the photocopiers at RS are compelled by some unmentionable force to stop working whenever it's packet time. They play fun little games, especially when time is of the essence.
The copiers aren't our only enemies. Computers hide our documents when transcriptions are near completion. WMA files take their sweet time to download. Remember that crazy $40,000 stereo Jonathan Ringen talked about? With one crossed wire, its installation would have shut down the whole set of library computers. Fearing that I might have had to transcribe my Lil Wayne interview again, I nearly wept. In the words of a fellow intern, I would have gotten a "contact high through the headphones" all over again.
Luncheons Are More Than Just Free Food
The humdrum work sometimes gets us down, but the moments of true celebrity-inspired weirdness make it well worth it. Where else can you talk vegan with Woody Harrelson and coo as he dribbles leaf juice down his hemp shirt? Or sit in on meetings where Diddy concocts drinks out of his new vodka? This internship is about being at the crux of pop culture, and sometimes there's even free brownies.
Lessons Learned
Sorting mail frivolously is totally unsafe. Also, people who put fresh produce in press packets are the root of all evil. And I've learned to make nice with the copy machine — in fact, I've been able to update my resume as well. Instead of just being able to swim, I emphasize that I am now a proficient communicator with office machinery; I am the "Copy Whisperer."
[Photo: Getty]
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Mackenzie | June 26, 2009 12:05 AM
I'm soon to be sixteen years old. It would mean the world to me for my work to be in Rolling Stone magazine. I love to write and I love everything about music. All I'm asking for is a shot.
Bianca aka bonkie | June 18, 2009 1:45 PM
Hi I'm sixteen years old,I love Rolling Stone magazine,my dream career is to be a writer for this magazine.I love music more than anything in this world.I wold like to be an intern for Rolling Stone.
vab | November 29, 2008 9:43 PM
and still no answer on how i intern here.
nomatter what the labor is i wanna write i dont care how hard it is i just want my articles about music read.
i loveee this article
makes me smile ♥
Anonymous | June 12, 2008 11:49 PM
how do i get an internship??!
matteo O. | May 16, 2008 10:36 PM
Hey now.... Lets see another article...
ROCKIST | April 20, 2008 7:02 AM
Where's Rob Sheffield's blog?
RatherMoore | April 12, 2008 2:09 PM
Awsome! I want to be you.
Matty Roff | April 4, 2008 1:58 PM
that should have read "Knew"
Matty Roff | April 4, 2008 1:57 PM
good job kiddo.
I new you were a good hire 3 years ago.
keep making moves and stay out of trouble.
i'll buy your first book when it comes out.
shout out to Southpaw
jayme | April 1, 2008 9:33 PM
Can't wait to read more of your articles very well written. It looks as though you got a lifetime fan in miserable mike.
AnnieJ | April 1, 2008 3:21 PM
Would have loved this to be longer so i could have read more and more! Can't wait until i see more work on here by you, morning yoda! Great job.
Ali | April 1, 2008 2:13 PM
Since we’re diverting all facebook wall posts to this blog…
Let’s schedule a mail date, and in the meantime, I want you to premeditate any foot-in-mouth comments you’ll probably make today then repress them. Not on my watch.
JesusTalks | April 1, 2008 11:16 AM
This was pretty funny. I interned at RS in 2002. Not the best internship that I ever had but it was nice to put their name on my rèsumè.
jbt1913 | March 31, 2008 1:44 PM
So I googled "rolling stone internship" and this is what came up. Not quite what I expected, actually, not at all what I expected. But I'm glad I read it. It's a funny look at the trials and tribulations of unpaid labor. don't know what "mike" beneath me is whining about. If he disliked it that much, he shouldn't waste time commenting.
mike | March 31, 2008 11:31 AM
Wow, so all your friends think this was a good post. I didn't really think it was that great to be honest. Seemed like a bunch of inside bits of information that only the other interns would think were funny. I don't even think many people, outside of your friends, read this.
Jeff | March 31, 2008 11:25 AM
Okay - that was clever. Now get back to work.
Randall | March 30, 2008 6:29 PM
Danger! Awesome blog, so you, in fact i felt like it was a conversation that we were having, as if u were right in front of me. I miss you come visit again pa-lease..Daryl said Jay Wright wants to marry her, no matter how many times you two lock eyes. Reading this blog has made me aspire to concoct my own drinks-thanks for the inside scoop. Love You
Silk
Amanda QLMNOP Verdon | March 30, 2008 6:12 PM
A. Having family (I want to go to the zoo and see the goddamn Rhinoceros) and close friends (Hoop Hell) flood you with praise and approval does not count. We all know you've paid us well with the money your not getting from RS. B. What you really should publish is a Knight in Silver Stockings, the battle of wit courage and the Flumist River. Insta-classic. But overall, very fun and funny =) Im not going say you get it from me but well you do. Im so proud! Who knows maybe one day we really will end up writing that book together. Love you
-d
Jane - all the way from the UK | March 29, 2008 11:58 AM
Amanda - you have international fans....a wit that travels across the pond. Your article is fantastic and makes me wish I was interning with you. Keep writing I can't wait to read your next piece. YOU GO GIRL!
me | March 28, 2008 3:17 PM
great piece-witty and refreshingly funny to read this "day in the life of an intern" and even funnier because you wrote it-
can picture you through the day which makes me laugh and can sense the happiness you feel about interning at RS-maybe it has something to do with the brownies!
nicely done Amanda : )
Aunt Pat & Uncle Bob | March 28, 2008 3:16 PM
Seems like yesterday I was hemming your school uniform, now I am reading an article written (and I might say terrific) by our little Amanda.
Pursue your writing...its what you always have been interested in and your love of this field really shows......
burger party | March 28, 2008 2:17 PM
its time for another. Flamms need love too
wait. really? | March 28, 2008 12:39 PM
So, you're really going to publish my "p.s." without publishing the first part, where I called out media megalomaniacs? Really? Glad to see the R.S. blog editorial board at work... Thanks for censoring it. Can't wait to read the next Brittney Spears issue!
Same person... | March 28, 2008 12:31 PM
p.s. Unpaid labor is called VOLUNTEERING. Usually, this is done for the fortunate can help the less fortunate i.e. you take a semester off to build a house for a family in New Orleans, you teach intercity kids in the Bronx how to read and write, you provide retroactive drugs for children in sub-Saraha Africa, etc.
Interning, because it is unpaid, is a form of VOLUNTEERING both your time and energy. However, it is an ethically perverted form, where the LESS Fortunate help the FORTUNATE at no cost! I.E... Slavery!
So please, Amanda, just ask for a paycheck at the end of the day. You'll be better off for it in the long run.
kATHY B | March 28, 2008 12:20 PM
Hee hee! You are funny and brillant! It doesn't surprise me that you radiate whit, humor, style and class. It so cool to see you blossom!! Knock'em dead sweatheart!
Are you kidding me? | March 28, 2008 12:16 PM
Unpaid labor is totally ridiculous. I'm completely opposed to the idea of "interning" strictly for the valuable experience and a resume one-up. If media Megalomaniacs weren't so greedy, they would pay their labor force for the hard work the serfs and minions do. Other private sectors PAY their interns - finance, marketing, law, medical, etc... I wouldn't even be surprised if there are paid government interns out there... Oh wait... there are! Just look at the CIA's intern program.
Media has refused to pay its interns for a long time. However, without the waves and waves of interns descending upon New York, LA, and every other major city in the country, the media would completely CEASE to BE.
It's sad that entering the labor market in our country has become reliant on these unpaid "experiences." Many of us require must go further and further into loan debt just so we can "enter the field" or career of our choosing. Yet, isn't entering a career, and working in particular, suppose to be increase your financial capita? Fact is a fact - work is still work. Interning is work. In in America, you should get paid for your work, rather then going into debt IN ORDER to work.
Interning! Horray... it's still just an aggrandized FAKE position so you can brag to all your friends in senior seminar journalism classes about lunching with other megalomaniacs or talking about meeting insert-generic-celebrity name here over a few beers at the frat house.
Interning sucks because NOT getting paid sucks, especially when you're working your ass off for someone else. F-- internships.
Jungleland | March 28, 2008 12:04 PM
Enjoy your internship (even the mornings) Interning at record labels (RCA) in the mid 1990's was some of the best times of my life. Take it seriously and have fun. Show up even if you are hung over. Stay late when you can.
Nina Barba | March 27, 2008 11:01 PM
The beginning of this article made me think of the feeling I get at my internship. But, when I got to the end I was jealous. Sounds like your job is not too bad Ms. Verdon, I hope you plan on staying with RollingStone so I can read more.
Colella | March 27, 2008 10:56 PM
contrare! Volare! Ooeoo
yellow bagel | March 27, 2008 10:54 PM
congrats!
Alexandra | March 27, 2008 10:51 PM
Loved the article! Your too funny. Can you help me with my resume?
Adam | March 27, 2008 10:49 PM
Thanks for not actually mentioning my name with that quote. Lest Weezy comes after me for outing his marijuana usage. Oops, well there goes that.
sanjay | March 27, 2008 10:45 PM
sounds great! Any intern positions open?? I'm really interested!!
egor | March 27, 2008 10:43 PM
love child. Great work
Kathleen | March 27, 2008 10:41 PM
wowza.. From writing my papers in school to writing with RS! Holler girl!!!
Matteo Osso | March 27, 2008 10:14 PM
Ha... Ha...
Love the humor. Thats what America needs. Hope to see more articles from Amanda Verdon.
Venessa V. | March 27, 2008 10:11 PM
I LOVE YOU! and this article just confirmed any doubt I ever had about that. you are hilarious and i am oh so proud of you!!! i mean, mastering the copy machine is not an easy thing to do by any means! haha! congrats!
RCP& JMP and the Girls + Amber | March 27, 2008 9:48 PM
Amanda Panda...10 minutes ago I saw her … (dancing); I blinked and now you’re a Writer.. What’s Next? Surely a Story Book ending….
Mikey J. | March 27, 2008 9:33 PM
did dating any late r&b star's siblings get you leverage in scoring this article?
MJSIII | March 27, 2008 9:31 PM
Who is this girl? Her words make me want to whisk her away to some remote location in a far off place, maybe even New Jersey.
auntie deb | March 27, 2008 8:20 PM
way to go girl!
Tony | March 27, 2008 7:21 PM
Style, humor and wit. Add in personality and you got 4 aces.
Tony
pirate | March 27, 2008 5:47 PM
my little baby is all grown up
Lame-Flamm | March 27, 2008 5:37 PM
Burger party?
Obi Wan Latrobe | March 27, 2008 5:21 PM
The Force will always be with you (So long as you continue to employ references of the sci-fi nature).
Well done, Young Padawan.
Flammbot | March 27, 2008 5:17 PM
Armored with sassy skillz and some brilliant sarcasm, Amanda gets the job done. Starbucks Frapp in hand and this girl is fearless!
Want to know more? Ask her anything on Wednesdays and she'll be brutally honest...
cody mcdevitt | March 27, 2008 5:02 PM
Oh, and just so you know, you owe all the other interns a beer now. Me, Natalie and Ali settled on that.
Cody McDevitt | March 27, 2008 4:59 PM
I see you told all your friends. Congratulations. It was well written. You're on your way.
Hoop Hell | March 27, 2008 4:37 PM
You've come a long way baby! Who would have thought the "party hostess" that couldn't successfully carry a cake across a room would be so brilliant!
Love you like a daughter
DJ ROSS ROSCO (incaseyoudontkno) | March 27, 2008 4:19 PM
Nice article here, I felt like I was an intern in the office. Solid.
Coco | March 27, 2008 4:07 PM
Buttercup,
You are truly a delectable treat.
Love you to pieces
cheese | March 27, 2008 4:07 PM
this girls is an absolute genius. sign her up immediately.
Alejandro | March 27, 2008 4:05 PM
My favorite intern is also a brilliant writer... kudos!
P.S. Barba | March 27, 2008 4:02 PM
What a great article. Your writing is whitty and fun. I cant wait to here some more from Ms. Verdon.
Ralph Macchio | March 27, 2008 3:42 PM
Amanda, Come to my window
Crawl inside, wait by the light
Of the moon
Come to my window
Ill be home soon!
Jen | March 27, 2008 3:23 PM
This is hilarious. I WANT TO INTERN AT ROLLING STONE!!!!!!!