Mimi Lopour, Web Content Manager, learned first-hand the importance of an internship.
Mimi obtained an internship with Action Sports Group (ASG), after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara. The internship led to a job with Snowboarder Magazine, one of the many magazines within ASG. In turn, Mimi has hired interns from 2-year and 4-year colleges to assist her. Mimi shares her thoughts and experiences in the following interview.

Why did you choose to intern at Snowboarder Magazine?
I have always enjoyed snowboarding, surfing and other sports. I wanted to be involved in promoting these sports, because of the positive and healthy lifestyle associated with them. As a film production major at UC, Santa Barbara, I wanted to incorporate my film and technical skills in an industry that I loved.

What experiences prepared you for the internship?
It sounds funny, but my college sorority experience gave me many transferable work skills. Each sorority member was expected to become involved in fundraising and a variety of community efforts. I learned to manage a committee, delegate tasks to committee members, plan events from start to finish, and manage a budget. Most of all I learned to be confident. When I interviewed for the internship position, I felt that I had education and skills that would benefit the employer.

How did you find the internship?
I researched websites and found supervisors and managers contact information. I sent in my resume to the head of digital operations at Action Sports Group, had a telephone interview with him, and I was hired on the spot! Many students don’t think to cold call or send an e-mail introducing themselves and asking about internship opportunities. I believe that my confidence and my passion for snowboarding led to my hire as an intern.

What helped you get the job, after the internship?
I made sure to learn as much as I could. I looked for opportunities to help my supervisor and team. After an employee left the company, I was asked to sub in their position. I worked diligently as a sub, and proved that I could do the job. A few months down the line I asked to formally submit my resume and was hired for the job.

What qualities do you look for in an intern?
The potential intern should be familiar with the magazine’s website and the magazine. It is important for the individual to understand the “voice” of the magazine. Potential interns should be able to look at a Snowboarder magazine photo and caption it. They should know the objective of the magazine. Although it is helpful for the intern to have technical, writing or photography skills, supervisors will train the intern in many of the technical areas. Passion and a willingness to learn and help the team are very important.

What opportunities do you have for an intern at your company?
Students can assist in marketing, web design, photography, ad sales, writing and editing. There are many opportunities in Snowboarder and the other magazines associated with Action Sports Group.

Snowboarder wants interns to have at least one project to call their own, and we give them public credit for their job. If we have had a positive experience with the intern, we will write a Letter of Recommendation. Many of our interns have been hired, and other interns have brought their newly acquired skills to jobs with other companies.

For more information, contact Mimi Lopour: mimi@snowboardermag.com
Snowboarder Magazine: www.snowboardermag.com
Action Sports Group: www.actionsportsgroup.net
Location: 33046 Calle Aviador, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92675