The Atlantic Monthly's re-branding evidently includes intern/slaves for, as our tipster fumes, "their [internship] position. AT LEAST 40 hrs a week unpaid!?? really? what kind of fucking student can do this?"


Here's how it started for the prospective intern, with the Atlantic reaching out in response to his resume:

"I work for Atlantic Media with [redacted] who shared your resume. I wanted to reach out to you regarding a new opportunity with the Atlantic-details are below. If you are interested, please apply on line. Thanks!"

Responded the prospective intern:

To:[redacted]
Sent: Thu Dec 11 17:18:19 2008
Subject: Re: Digital Media Internship - Washington, D.C.

Thanks for the share. Are the 40 hours a week and no pay nonnegotiable? I'm doing an internship now that is 20 hours a week unpaid, and it is making it increasingly hard for me to pay my rent, as craigslist "job gigs" are dwindling. Also, since I'm a full time student, it would be almost impossible to meet 40 hours a week.

Let me know.

Thanks,

And finally, the slam-down:

From: [redacted]
Date: Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Subject: Re: Digital Media Internship - Washington, D.C.
To: [redacted]

Hi Bobby, thanks for your note. I am sorry to report back that we are not able to wiggle. Thanks!

As always, offers of "opportunities" for eager and energetic youngsters looking to get into media are nothing short of insulting, and becoming more common. To the magazines: we know you're broke. But so is everybody else. So offer something, because family-funded minions will become less available as the recession progresses.