Internships

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who will work hard and are willing to learn the various aspects of producing a magazine. Supervision and training are provided, but self-starters are generally the most successful. The office has an informal but hectic environment. Doors to offices are usually open, so students can learn a great deal about the music and publishing business merely by keeping their ears and eyes open.

We prefer interns to condense their time, working longer hours more than once a week, rather than just a few hours once a week. The continuity tends to accelerate the learning process. The office is open from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. There is always someone in the office until about 6:00 PM each day and the office is often still quite busy after 5:00 PM.

There is no guarantee of a job, though we have hired several interns over the years. In some cases, we can "share" interns with other area music business organizations or companies in order to broaden students' experiences. However, we count on the individual intern to make clear his/her interests. The office is located near the AFI Silver Theatre in downtown Silver Spring, four blocks from the Silver Spring Metro.

No specific major is required but certain skills and interests are preferred for each area.

Harp uses interns in the following areas:

Editorial

Fact-checking, photo research, writing short news items, logging in new CD releases, light proofing, helping with tear sheets and reviews.

Minimum requirements/skills: Strong writing skills and familiarity with word processing required; working knowledge of music and the music business preferred; experience with creating or updating Web pages is a plus; writing samples also a plus.

Design/Production

Designing small ads, flowing in copy, scanning images, organizing photo archives, updating promotional flyers and brochures, designing advertising and trafficking of materials.

Minimum requirements/skills: Some experience with Quark Xpress, InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.

Web Development

Developing web applications, creating html-based e-mail, miscellaneous research and image prep.

Minimum requirements/skills: Knowledge of HTML and CSS required. Basic understanding of databases, ColdFusion, Flash, and JavaScript is also helpful, but not necessary. Good text editing skills and careful attention to detail are a must.

Marketing/Advertising

Researching new sources for advertising, developing databases of potential advertisers, sending out media kits, calling advertising prospects, updating databases and spreadsheets, general filing, assisting with mailings.

Minimum requirements/skills: Basic working knowledge of MS Word and MS Excel. Close attention to detail necessary.

Circulation/Customer service

Answering phones, assisting with preparation for festival sponsorships, taking orders for merchandise, assisting staff with various projects.

Minimum requirements/skills: Basic working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access required; excellent verbal communication skills required; experience in customer service helpful; ability to juggle multiple tasks.