Foyle Alumni Internships 2013: Open for applications - Deadline 22nd May!

"The benchmark of a good internship is not being forced to make tea. The Poetry Society didn’t force me to make tea. Instead  I found myself taking on a variety of tasks, from exploring the underground system, in an attempt to sneakily distribute the 2011 Foyle Anthology, to piecing together the Olympic Relay Poem. I’ve learnt a lot in my time here as in intern: how to use different data systems; how the award I was commended in two years ago actually works, and just how much hard work goes into it, and that the phone never stops ringing"

                                2012 Intern, Chloe Maughan

More about the internships

Thanks to funding from the Foyle Foundation, The Poetry Society is pleased to announce that the Foyle Alumni Summer Internship Programme (for all previous Foyle winners/commendeds aged 18+) is open for Summer 2013.

There will be two Summer Internships at our busy office in Covent Garden, London. The focus of the Internship Programme is to support the administration and marketing of the ever-growing Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, however additional office support for the Poetry Society’s wide programme of work (from education, membership to publications and more) may also be required.

Each intern will work a total of 18 days in our London-based office between June and early September 2013 (though we are able to offer some degree of flexibility when selecting exact dates within this period). Office hours will be 11am – 6pm daily, though please note that some evening work may be required to assist with events.

Internship duties will include:

  • Data entry and processing
  • Postal mailings – Envelope stuffing and franking
  • Marketing and promotion (phone, email, web and postal)
  • Compiling data for evaluation and marketing reports
  • Sustaining our internet presence via our web pages and social networking sites – to include some blogging and feature writing.
  • Additional administrative support across the wider Poetry Society team as required

Key skills and experience required:

  • Knowledge of standard Office software including Excel, Word and Outlook, plus a strong working knowledge of Social Media/Web 2.0.
  • Additional experience working with database systems such as Access (Desirable)
  • Strong communication skills in writing, on the phone, and face to face.  As an intern you will be a public face for The Poetry Society and must be confident and engaging whilst answering telephones and representing the work of The Poetry Society at large.
  • Excellent attention to detail, with strong copy writing and proofing skills.
  • Able to work independently and effectively, responding to instructions given by colleagues.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of contemporary poetry and creative writing and a keen interest in the role of the arts/creative writing in education.
  • Quick thinking and highly motivated with a ‘can do’ attitude – a strong team player.
  • Some experience with Content Management Systems for websites (i.e. basic HTML, Wordpress sites or Tumblr) is desirable, although training specific to our website systems will be provided.
  • Experience in assisting at live events and dealing with the public (Desirable).

Eligibility and Info:

This opportunity will be open to anyone aged 18+ who has reached the top 100 (Overall Winners and Commendeds) of our Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award during any of the last 15 years of the award.  Please note applicants can reside outside of the UK but it is vital to note that both Internships are based in London and all successful applicants will be expected to arrange their transport (and accomodation if required) by their own means. A stipend of £750 will be paid to each Intern for 18 day period of work. Please note that we cannot pay transport costs or expenses for these internships and so these must be met through the £750 subsidy.

How to apply:

Please send a CV detailing your name, education and work experience, PLUS a supporting statement of up to 500 words detailing: what you hope to bring to this position, what you hope to gain and how your experience meets the job description. It is vital that your CV includes your full birth date, address and the year(s) in which you won or were commended in the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award. NB Please also ensure you would be able to fulfill a full 18 days over the period of June – September 2013 before applying (we will negotiate these dates with the successful applicants to best suit both parties). 

Deadline for applications: 12 Midday Wednesday 22nd May 2013

Potential candidates will be contacted by 6pm on Wednesday 29th May 2013  - we may conduct a telephone interview, but this will be confirmed.

Please send applications either as a word attachment to Lucy Wood: lwood@poetrysociety.org.uk or send by post to Lucy Wood, Foyle Internships 2013, The Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, London, WC2H 9BX (please note it must also arrive by noon, wednesday 22nd May 2013 otherwise it will be disqualified)

Best of luck everyone and we look forward to receiving your applications!