Final Internship Reflection Project By Victoria Oliva

Brief Overview: Redbook Magazine The magazine was first published in 1903 as The Red Book Illustrated by Stumer, Rosenthal and Eckstein, a firm of Chicago retail merchants. In its early years, the magazine published short fiction by well-known authors, including many women writers, and photographs of popular actresses and other influential women.

Brief Overview: Redbook Magazine Now published by Hearst Corporation. The magazine’s articles are primarily targeted toward middle-aged, married women. Features stories about women dealing with modern hardships, celebrating accomplishments and encouraging other women to work together for humanitarian causes.

Learning Objectives/Accomplishments Develop research skills fit for researching story ideas and fact-checking information Accomplishment: Improved current research skills by making sure I was articulate, thorough and precise while fact-checking information for stories Learning Objective 2: Observe and set up visual meetings in order to lean about the decisions that lead up to a page’s artistic direction I surveyed the process that leads up to these decisions and applied this when setting up these visual meetings

Learning Objectives/Accomplishments Research and write small short stories for magazine and website Accomplishment: I gathered information about the topics at hand and corresponded with necessary sources/researched facts in order to write the story Learning Objective 4: Conduct desk-side market appointments with beauty companies to learn about new Product launches and technology I conducted myself in a professional manner during these meetings and increased my product knowledge and understanding of new beauty products and technology on the market

Learning Objectives/Accomplishments Maintain and organize the inflow of product samples received on a daily basis Accomplishment: Increase organization within the beauty closet by sorting through deliveries and organizing according to product type Learning Objective 6: Assist with special projects for each issue, such as Redbook’s MVP Beauty Awards for June issue I analyzed and increased my understanding of the efforts that go into special projects for the magazine and fulfilled my duties to the best of my ability

Typical Day In The Office Gather credit information and press releases for products in beauty stories by contacting beauty public relations firms. Call-in samples of products and set up run-through meetings for monthly beauty stories. Open new products and packages and maintain and organize the beauty closet. Meet with beauty companies and public relations representatives for deskside market appointments. Transcribe interviews and help brainstorm story ideas.

Accomplishments Organizing a Redbook Giveaway Project, a project Redbook put together to help the children and families who have/ had terminal illnesses. I helped organize over 1,000 packages (filled with beauty products, clothing, home goods, etc.) to send to these children and their families .

Challenges Being able to balance and complete multiple assignments given to me by my supervisors at once. Since we are always on a deadline, it is extremely crucial to obtain all information needed and complete assigned tasks in a fast and efficient manner.

What I Have Learned About The Field I Learned how a magazine comes together each month – in my case, how beauty stories and products are chosen, how they are photographed and how credit information is compiled. I have learned how to correspond efficiently with beauty public relations companies in order to obtain all necessary information about products. I learned how to properly set up visuals meetings and transcribe interviews . I learned how to work in a fast-paced environment and how to properly manage my time.

Confirming My Career Goals This internship has confirmed my career interests and future goals. After graduation, I would like to begin at an entry-level position at a magazine (such as an associate editor) in the beauty or fashion department, as I have found it is a great fit for me. I am truly passionate about the editorial world and working in a lively, fun and fast-paced environment that is the magazine industry.

What I’ve Learned About the Industry & Field Interning at a magazine, I have found that it is an extremely fast-moving environment, as we are always on a deadline. I loved seeing the process, from start to finish, of how the pages of the beauty section in Redbook magazine come together. It is amazing to see how many people are involved in and how much work is put into each issue of a magazine. It made me appreciate publications much more! I’ve learned organization, great communication and interpersonal skills, and a positive attitude are necessary traits for this type of industry.

Personal Gains I have become more organized, professional, outgoing and proactive. I have realized what I would like to do as a career. I have made important connections within the industry. I have developed a passion for the beauty and magazine industries.

Beauty-Related Photos of Beauty-Related Photos of... Products/ People I Have Worked With At Redbook

Conclusion I am honored to have had the opportunity to work in the beauty department of Redbook Magazine. It was an amazing experience and I know I will carry everything I’ve learned to all of my future career endeavors. I have been invited to stay at the magazine as an intern in the spring semester, which I am extremely excited about as well. Hopefully, this internship experience will help me to receive a job after graduation. I really enjoyed this internship class and experience as a whole!