Name: Marie Machin

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Baltimore City Paper

Position Title: Photography Intern

Major(s)/Minor(s): Interdisciplinary Studies

Work Term: Fall 2016

Briefly describe your internship, co-op,  or research opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

A big portion of my internship right now is running around Baltimore City doing various photoshoots (events, products, people, places). I also make quite a few phone calls, letting people know I'll be coming and planning out when a shoot can be arranged between the two parties. It's a lot of work and communication but it's my favorite kind. I also spend a decent amount of time in the photo studio at the moment, preparing for the paper's "Gift Guide" issue.

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

I actually found this internship through networking in the city. I try to let the new people I meet know I am a photographer, because it generally opens up a lot of doors. I met the photo editor of Baltimore City Paper and he needed a new intern, and I got the job after submitting my portfolio and resume.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?

Working on "Gift Guide" is a ton of work, but I get to go around the city to various neighborhoods, and go into independent shops and pick out fun gifts for the guide. Then, like a strange photojournalist Santa, I get to take the gifts back to the studio and photograph them. It's a lot of driving, planning, and talking, but those are all things I enjoy on top of taking photos.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I've been trying to make the photo editor's job a little easier. He has ton of work to do to keep that aspect of the paper going smoothly, and I try to be as helpful as possible. In the process, I have learned a lot about lighting. I feel much more comfortable using a flash with my camera (which is useful when shooting events), as well as using lights in a studio setting.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

I would say don't be afraid to talk about your favorite things with new people. Also, if you're nervous, you can't help but feel that way, but if this is a job you really want, challenge yourself to push out of your comfort zone. It's very helpful when you're out there with your camera asking strangers for their photo to remember to cheer yourself on.

Like the Career Center on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

#UMBCintern

Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Friday!

The Baltimore Choral Arts Society is one of Maryland’s premier professional cultural institutions. The Symphonic Chorus, Full Chorus, and Chamber Chorus perform throughout the mid-Atlantic region, as well as in Washington, DC, New York, and Europe. 

Interested in graduate school and/or a summer research experience in beautiful coastal Southern California?

Come to an information session with the UC Irvine Graduate Dean Dr. Frances Leslie and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Thomas Parham who will talk about UC Irvine graduate programs as well as our summer research programs.

DATE:  Monday, December 5th from 12-1pm in Commons 329

Founded in 1965, the University of California, Irvine combines the strengths of a major research university with the bounty of an incomparable Southern California location. UC Irvine is ranked in the top 10 public schools by US News and World Reports. Over 5,000 graduate students come to UC Irvine from around the world with unique perspectives and backgrounds, but together they comprise the core of our top-rated research enterprise and an unparalleled campus culture.

With a commitment to cutting edge research, teaching, learning and creativity, UC Irvine is a driving force for innovation and discovery. Three Nobel Prize winning researchers — two in chemistry and one in physics — have helped solidify UC Irvine as a center for quality education that fosters the passionate and enthusiastic expansion of knowledge. Our robust graduate programs create the brainpower needed to make an impact on our local, national and global communities.

SURF:  The 2016 Summer Research Program application for UC Irvine is available here.
UC Irvine’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offers undergraduate and master’s diversity students an opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects and provides an intense course of graduate preparation workshops. The program, which is designed for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. or M.F.A. degree and enter academic careers, provides the tools needed to facilitate application, admission, and enrollment to graduate school. The SURF program is open to virtually all academic fields at UC Irvine. Qualified students with interest in pursuing their graduate program at UC Irvine are especially encouraged to apply.