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Profile
of Jessica Spears, Intern, Creative Nonfiction, 12/05
Story by Jon Ebel
PPW/Writing Center Publicity Intern
After searching
Panther Tracks to find her perfect internship, Jessica Spears came
across an internship with the Creative Nonfiction Foundation, located
on Walnut Street in Shadyside. The Creative Nonfiction Foundation
is an organization founded by Lee Gutkind, a faculty member of the
English Department, and is devoted to publicizing the genre through
its literary magazine, Creative Nonfiction--the first and
largest literary magazine to publish high quality nonfiction prose
on a regular basis. Gutkind and other nonfiction writers from around
the country work together to create Creative Nonfiction.
Jessica felt comfortable at her site after about a month. All her
coworkers, the majority being women under 35, are part-time employees.
Although her coworkers are always nearby, Jessica works independently
on promoting and organizing the 412: Creative Nonfiction Literary
Festival.
During the week of November 7th, the Creative Nonfiction Foundation
held the second annual 412: Creative Nonfiction Literary Festival.
This is a week-long festival where nonfiction writers from around
the country congregate to celebrate their love of writing with other
writers in the area. Throughout the week, established writers gave
readings and panel discussions to students and aspiring writers
throughout the Pittsburgh area.
Jessica found this to be her busiest week. She visited several sites
sponsoring the event, took pictures of several authors, passed out
brochures, and worked the front table at the main event on Saturday.
The internship with Creative Nonfiction Foundation is better than
Jessica had imagined, although it has made getting her other work
done more difficult. Although it was a challenge, Jessica proudly
looks back on her experience with Creative Nonfiction.
“I was excited to witness the release of the new issue and
learn more about publishing,” she says.
Jessica is a Marketing major and feels her internship is a great
way to begin a healthy, well-rounded resume. She feels an internship
is important in establishing credibility in any field. Jessica recommends
that anyone interested in an internship apply for one through the
Public and Professional Writing Program.
Life can be challenging when taking on an internship, but once you
have collected work for your portfolio and another employer to add
to your resume, like Jessica, you will know it was worth the time
and effort!
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