tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780614792906878523.post6309915293197565094..comments2022-03-26T08:27:56.119-04:00Comments on Dream Job TK: reader's question: is it worth moving to new york?Corinna vanGerwenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10940414100793114205noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780614792906878523.post-55978326009933446272008-08-02T18:58:00.000-04:002008-08-02T18:58:00.000-04:00Thanks for the advice! I've asked Corinna for your...Thanks for the advice! I've asked Corinna for your contact info so I'll probably e-mail you soon. My plan was actually to enroll in Parson's Fashion Marketing degree and take my classes online so that I can intern during the day. Tuition is quite high, but studying at Parson's is something I've always wanted to do, so I don't mind making the investment. <BR/><BR/>I've e-mailed some HR reps already and I heard back from one at Brant publications who said that it shouldn't be a problem applying as a Canadian as long as I take care of the visa arrangements myself. I've looked into SWAP's trainee visa, so I might take that route if I don't get into Parson's. I do agree though that being enrolled in a program certainly helps. Career directors at schools like New School, NYU and Columbia seem to have great ties to the magazine industry. <BR/><BR/>Does Vanity Fair really not hire Canadians? Even though the editor-in-chief is Canadian?<BR/>That's surprising! <BR/><BR/>Anyway, thanks again for your advice. The legal issues and obstacles are definitely worth considering.Marshneillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17548239307960315852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780614792906878523.post-48140831215343640462008-08-01T02:06:00.000-04:002008-08-01T02:06:00.000-04:00Addendum to my last comment: I remembered that one...Addendum to my last comment: I remembered that one of the places that doesn't hire Canadians is Vanity Fair, so you could be out of luck with Conde. <BR/><BR/>And, another way in, maybe would be to go back to school, or, if you're in school, apply for internships then. Or, best yet, apply to an American school and do internships through them. That is how the Degrassi actress got her gig at Teen Vogue.<BR/><BR/>The legal hurdles are a lot less then, I think, although the international tuition is sky-high.<BR/><BR/>Contact Corinna if you'd like my info to chat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780614792906878523.post-5933644425940730042008-08-01T01:36:00.000-04:002008-08-01T01:36:00.000-04:00One huge issue to consider is the legality of inte...One huge issue to consider is the legality of interning in the States. From your mention of a work visa, I'd assume that you're not a "dualie". A lot of the big mags require you to be able to receive school credit, so there's the chance that it could only be an American school. <BR/><BR/>The other issue is that a lot of magazines might chuck your application outright because they don't want the hassle down the road of having to arrange and pay for a work visa (which could even be hard to justify for them, since there are a tonne of other Americans with similar qualifications beating down the door for jobs). When I was poking around for an American internship a few summers ago, I saw American internships that specifically say that only American citizens can apply.<BR/><BR/>This even includes volunteering! You'd figure that they might like whatever free temporary labor they can get, but it can be easier to just avoid the issue altogether by choosing an American candidate. <BR/><BR/>There are border issues, too. The border has actually been known to turn volunteers away at the border, so you would maybe have to lie about what you'll be doing in the States or risk being turned away. Internships especially sound an awful lot like official work to border guards who each have individual authority to turn you away. (They might also ask you for a J-1 Intern Visa.)<BR/><BR/>Unless you have a trust fund as well or parents or a partner to support you, you'd also have to get a job for during your internship. You would either have to work under the table, or get a "temporary work visa" to work a service job for that.<BR/><BR/>What I would do if you're seriously thinking about this is to contemplate consulting an immigration lawyer, and then spending a couple days in New York on informationals with Hearst, Nast HR folks and quiz them about your chances as a Canadian candidate.<BR/><BR/>Another thing to consider is timing: you mention "gaining experience" in New York. I would gain some experience and some semi-serious chops here before even trying to gain experience there. By browsing the Ed2010 forums, you'll see just how brutally hard and competitive it is to even land a job with a lower-level New York mag, let alone any of the fancies. You often hear of people with somewhat senior positions at regional mags or fancy newspapers having to start back as EAs due to the "paying your dues" feel of the industry.<BR/><BR/>By getting some beginners and even intermediate experience in Canada, you could then have a shot at an entry-level internship or EA gig if you're extraordinary. But, again, definitely check out all the legal stuff, the publishing houses' stance, and the Ed2010 horror stories to make sure it's what you really want. 'Cause if it is, you need to make sure you're 100% prepped: you'll be dealing with the same hardcore challenges as the extremely-qualified Edsters who recount their often year-long job searches, but with the added obstacle of visas, work permits, and border snafus.<BR/><BR/>Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com