BFA Program Apprenticeships and Internships

The writing apprenticeship is meant to give writing students practical experience in their craft and in related fields.  There are many apprenticeship opportunities already established; though it is possible to create an individual apprenticeship (and in the process create an ongoing opportunity for future students).  All apprenticeships earn 4 credits, all are offered pass/fail; all require real dedication and commitment. Students are expected to complete 150 hours of work total.

To sign up for an apprenticeship, a student should:

1.  Review the list of potential placements.

2. Contact one of the people offering the apprenticeship to find out if he or she is willing to be a sponsor.  (Note: this process should start midway through the semester before the one in which you wish to pursue an apprenticeship.)  Because acceptance to some of the apprenticeships is competitive, the best approach is to start early.

3. Submit a form (ENG 396 Writing Apprenticeship) to the Director of the BFA Program. The form is available from the Humanities Department Administrative Assistant, or from your Creative Writing advisor.  Once signed by the BFA Director and the advisor the form goes to the Humanities Department Administrative Assistant.

In many cases (Farmington Flyer, Sandy River Review, etc.), a student’s chance for getting the apprenticeship she wants will be helped by prior involvement with the organization in question.  That is, it’s never too early to get involved.

Some apprenticeship possibilities follow. All are also available for pre-apprenticeship, non-credit work.

Alice James Books.  Award-winning poetry press located on the UMF campus. Multiple positions. Contact current editor, 778-7071. http://www.alicejamesbooks.org/

Sandy River Review. UMF’s campus literary magazine. Editor and Assistant Editor. This is a full year position. One semester's Assistant Editor becomes the next semester's Editor. Contact Prof. Pat O'Donnell. podonnel@maine.edu.

Sandy River Review Web Editor. This position requires web design skills. Primary job is to design a web page for the SRR that will be linked to the BFA Program website. Secondary job is to archive past copies of the SRR online. Contact Prof. Pat O'Donnell. podonnel@maine.edu.

Lewiston Sun-Journal. Farmington Office. Reporter. Contact Regional Editor, 800-482-0753.

Farmington Flyer. UMF Student Newspaper.  Editor and Assistant Editor. Contact Luanne Yetter, 778-7568.

Voices.UMF's annual magazine of writing from First-year Writing Seminars. Contact director of the UMF First Year Writing Program. Luanne Yetter, 778-7568.

Beloit Poetry Journal Farmington-based national literary magazine. One intern (two-credits, possibly a two-semester position). Contact Lee Sharkey, 778-7370.

Franklin Journal. Local newspaper. News and features. Contact Mike Peterson, Editor, 778-2075.

Ripple.UMF's Feminist Zine. Contact current editor or Women's and Gender Studies Program, 778-7387. Currently Prof. Alison Hepler is the director of the program.

The Aurorean. Local poetry journal. Contact Cynthia Brackett-Vincent, Editor, 778-0467.

Farmington First. The UMF Alumni magazine. Contact Mark Glass Editor, 778-7090.

The Daily Bulldog Local on-line newspaper. Features and news. Contact Bobbie Hanstein, Editor, editor@dailybulldog.com.

Farmington Public Library. Positions writing for the library website, including book reviews and other projects. Contact library director Melanie Coombs, 778-4312.

Maine Arts Commission. For information go to the Maine Arts Commission website and navigate to Internships.

Franklin County Literacy Volunteers. Contact: Joan Moes 778-3460. Tutoring adults in reading skills. Students may take a six-week long free course in tutoring, which begins in early October and ends in November, meeting for three hours per evening once a week. After that, they may be assigned to be mentors. Work takes places at the Literacy Volunteer headquarters on Main Street in Farmington (near Aardvark Sports).

Gold Leaf Institute. UMF’s Senior College. Opportunities may exist for students to teach or co-teach writing workshops (2 credits). Contact the Gold Leaf Institute. 778-7063.