The Gospel of Ed

Have you heard of Ed? I'm talking about Ed2010, to the uninitiated. It's essential for any wannabe magazine writer/editor out there. Especially for those of you—like all of you aspiring Drake kids—who are new to the game. Why? It's an organization dedicated to helping young folks interested in the magazine business understand how it all works. Specifically, Ed provides loads of internship and job listings in magazines (check out the website or subscribe to the daily newsletter); advice in the form of classes, seminars, and tons of info on the website; and social fun/networking with others with frequent happy hours. The Ed mothership is based in New York City (like the magazine industry), but there are chapters around the country in most major cities and at lots of college campuses via Ed on Campus.

Now, why do I sound like a publicist for Ed2010? Because I work for the organization, as the Ed on Campus Director. I oversee all the campus chapters, like the one at Drake. (Or, rather, the one at Drake that should be up and roaring like it was when I started it three years ago! Get on it, students!) The reason I write about it so kindly—and devote lots of my free time to it—is because it's a great group of folks who want nothing more than to see magazine whippersnappers reach their dream magazine job. (In fact, Ed2010 was started in the late '90s by a bunch of editorial assistants who planned to be editor in chiefs by the year 2010. Ed's mission has changed a little since then, as we're almost there. Also of note: By 2010, Ed2010 will be known as simply Ed.)

Since my first and only internship in NYC was through the American Society of Magazine Editors (to all Drake juniors out there, you must apply for their essential internship!), I never found an internship or job off of Ed, but I know dozens of other now-magazine editors who did. And all the networking I've done through Ed led to at least one of of my freelance gigs (at the sensational New York Post, but that's another blog post entirely). Not to mention, all the great people I've met who are now just good friends.

Anyway, sorry for the long way around. What I'm saying is if you don't know about Ed2010, you should! Go check out the website. And as for networking via Ed? You've already made at least one contact: Me.