photo by Lauren Schoendorf
testimonial, photos and videos by Bridget McQuillan
I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into when I joined Hear Nebraska as an intern this past June. I already had a busy summer ahead of me with classes and a job, but I decided to apply for HN’s internship anyway. The first time I met Andy and Michael was at Pizza Shoppe Collective I was nervous, and became even more nervous when the two of them set me loose in Benson to find stories and interview musicians and create a video review of the night. My camera shots were shaky and my interview questions were awkward, but I’m still proud of the first video I made for Hear Nebraska.
SEE INTERNSHIP INFO
Since that night, I’ve learned a lot as an HN intern. I now know how to edit concert videos, how to effectively find a band’s publicist, which questions I should ask in an interview, and how to make friends when I’m alone at a show, among other things. Out of everything I’ve learned, though, there’s one thing that has really stood out: Hear Nebraska doesn’t just help musicians grow, it helps people grow. After that first night in Benson, I grew in ways I didn’t even think I could. I have an absolute passion for what I do now and for the people I do it with. I tell people that HN is the best thing that has happened to me this year — and my friends and family who have seen me “in my element,” as they say, will tell you that’s the absolute truth.
When you join Hear Nebraska, you are immediately welcomed into a family — a community of people who are constantly encouraging you to grow in ways you never thought you could. HN’s contributors grow as writers and journalists, as videographers and photographers, as event planners and tastemakers, and as designers and artists. And don’t get me wrong — it’s hard work to facilitate this growth. But it’s rewarding, that’s one thing you can be sure of. Five months later, I have all of these new skills and passions and creative energies, and the best part is that the process behind it all has been a damn good time.
VIDEO REEL
UUVVWWZ Talks 'Trusted Language' | Video Feature from Hear Nebraska on Vimeo.
Hear Nebraska: Lloyd McCarter and the Honky Tonk Revival from Hear Nebraska on Vimeo.
Ink Tank Merch's Screen Printing | Behind the Scene Video from Hear Nebraska on Vimeo.
RECOMMENDATION
Bridget is a hard-working, creative, adaptive Hear Nebraska intern, but "intern" is a label that vastly understates what she has accomplished. In five months as a summer and fall multimedia-driven music reporter, she has produced 10 videos, shot photos for nine stories, and helped shoot a Love Drunk video and live videos of UUVVWWZ, WHY? and other bands.
Working with fellow intern Chevy Anderson, she has now booked and is coordinating an HN First Friday showcase and concert on Dec. 7 at The Sydney. She communicates well and plans stories well in advance by submitting thoughtful story pitches. Bridget does her job in stride, encouraging and accepting tough edits, and always striving for high-quality work no matter how many drafts it takes. She's done it all while working another internship and taking classes at Creighton, too.
I know Bridget will be successful in whatever she chooses to do. Her strong work ethic and sense of respect for our organization and its mission will no doubt carry over to the next stop on her career path. And I'm proud to say she is just one of the more than 15 Hear Nebraska interns who have enjoyed their time while working hard. Join her by applying for our spring internships via the information below.
INTERNSHIP INFO
Nebraska's nonprofit music media company is looking for crack-shot, enterprising, self-starting, multimedia content-producing interns. We aim to hire at least one Lincoln multimedia intern, one Omaha multimedia intern and one design intern starting in January. We also have opportunities for editorial, editing, marketing and broadcasting interns should the right candidate apply.
Your computer will be your workplace, and you will help us cover, promote and document the state's music culture for 15-20 hours/week. Journalism, marketing or English majors are preferred, though others are accepted if they possess the following skills and attributes:
— Ability to produce quick, accurate copy, multimedia or designed materials on deadline that, critically, do not bore;
— Understanding of social media and a proven ability to use it effectively;
— Diverse multimedia abilities (video, photo, audio, social);
— A knack for storytelling;
— Ability to communicate effectively and stay on task remotely;
— Desire to grow professionally and socially;
— Ability to generate engaging, compelling story ideas;
— Love of music (especially local).
The chosen candidate(s) will get:
— Tough edits that will make them stronger, more-skilled and -polished journalists;
— A portfolio full of dynamic multimedia clips;
— An opportunity to manage one of HN's social media channels;
— A flexible, production-focused schedule;
— The chance to be in the team and on the ground floor of a young, growing nonprofit;
— Free entrance into all HN-sponsored shows, and other concerts when possible.
CONTRIBUTORS
In addition to internships, we also encourage all writers, photographers, videographers, designers and other creative talent to help us achieve our mission to cultivate Nebraska's vibrant, fertile music and arts community as contributors. Please email Michael Todd at michaeltodd@hearnebraska.org with your interest and details of what you'd like to cover. Join our HN family and learn from skilled multimedia-producing journalists and music lovers.
MORE TESTIMONIALS
Rachel Steenson, summer 2012 education/classical music intern
photo by Daniel Muller
Bryce Wergin, summer 2011 editorial intern
Matthew Masin, spring 2012 multimedia intern
photo by Matthew Masin
Steven Ashford, fall/winter 2011/2012 editorial intern
photo by Daniel Muller
Bridget McQuillan is a Hear Nebraska intern. Ask her, our managing editor or editor-in-chief questions about the internship by emailing bridgetm@hearnebraska.org, michaeltodd@hearnebraska.org or andrewn@hearnebraska.org.
