About six years ago, the Women's Media Group launched an intern program in an effort to encourage minority women to think about careers in publishing and electronic media.
Recently the WMG held its annual luncheon to introduce the seven new interns (three in book publishing and the rest in magazine and broadcasting media) chosen from 20 applicants invited to New York to be interviewed for the program. Susan Ralston, president of WMG and editorial director of Schocken Books, told PW that since the WMG Intern Program was launched in 1996, about 20 young women have graduated from the program. "There's no lack of women in this business," said Ralston. "We wanted to attract minority women."
WMG looks to place at least three young women each year at a media firm that interests them. Interns receive a $3,000 stipend and are paired with a mentor who offers advice and stays in contact even after the students have finished the program.
WMG solicits grants from media companies to fund the stipends, but often WMG will place an intern and provide funding for the stipend itself. WMG has raised $80,000 for the WMG Educational Fund, said Ralston, "to keep us from having to go begging every year." The fund is directed by Arlynn Greenbaum, president of Authors Unlimited. Chapin Hale Advisors, an investment group, has offered to set up a plan and invest the fund on a pro bono basis, with WMG using the returns to support the intern program.
"We place interns and pay them," said Ralston, "and we hope that media companies will support us." For more information, contact the Women's Media Group at (212) 592-0961 or by e-mail at womensmediagroup@ yahoo.com
