Counterpoise recruits new interns year-round. University of Florida students who are interested are encouraged to apply. To apply, or for more information, contact us.
During its first five years of publication, only one or two student interns worked each semester at Counterpoise. Then, in August 2001, four interns came into our program. Two stayed on into the spring semester and were joined by others, some of whom continued on. In January 2002, we formed a Counterpoise Collective, which makes decisions by consensus. Each semester about eight or ten interns are active.
Below are lists of the academic fields we recommend students apply from, the requirements, and the opportunities becoming an intern has. Finally there is information on related Civic Media Center volunteering.
Academic Fields
African Studies, African American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Asian American Studies, Digital Art/Graphic Art/Photography, Ecology, Economics, Education, English, Environmental Policy and Science, History, International Relations, Journalism, Latin American Studies, Law, Marketing, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, Urban and Regional Planning, Women's Studies
Requirements
Goal: professional experience in editing and publishing. High competency in English required. Proficiency in writing and use of computers and libraries required. Familiarity with the alternative press, social concerns, and foreign language and area studies helpful. Experience in graphic design, marketing, and office management very useful. Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to apply. Some interns continue working for many semesters. We also need students with a background in Information Technology or Computer Science to work with our computers and web site. A two-semester commitment is required for all internships; the first semester is a training period. We operate by consensus as a collective. Weekly time commitment for a formal internship for course credit: 12 to 15 hours minimum. Minimum commitment for an informal internship: 8 hours/week.
Opportunities
Work collegially with other members of the editorial collective. Improve your writing skills: style, grammar, spelling, punctuation. Learn the technical nuts and bolts of putting a publication together. Get experience in the business side of magazine publishing. Become more proficient in using libraries and the Internet. Encounter alternative points of view. Consider publishing, editing, or librarianship as a career. Set hours to suit your schedule. Work at home on special projects. Get course credit in some cases. Receive a letter of recommendation documenting your internship.
Counterpoise is a project of the Civic Media Center, a not-for-profit alternative library and gathering place located at 433 S. Main St., in Gainesville, Florida, near the St. Francis House. The CMC regularly organizes films, concerts, poetry jams, talks, and other events in its building and around town. For information about volunteering at the CMC, call 352-373-0010 and ask for Jimmy Schmidt, the coordinator. Or you can email them at: coordinator@civicmediacenter.org