Summer Time Blues So Soon?

Though I'm trying really hard not to let it bother me, this summer is making me a bit nervous.

I've spent much of the semester hustling for internship prospects for this summer. The scheme of things is "suppose" to work out like this; complete spring semester, internship this summer, complete last semester of school this fall, be declared "graduate" in December and walk/participate in graduation in May (2010). That's how my advisor and I had things worked out at the beginning of the semester.

Now it seems that world of internships, at least in the realm of magazines, is highly competitive. If not before, it's gotten extremely tight, allowing only a very small selective few in. My heart.. my heart... was set on the Washingtonian Magazine. It's one of my favorite reads. I practically study it. The internship boasts of writing small articles, research concentration and it pays. Though I revamped my resume, became creative with the cover letter, had my feature writing professor (editor of a national magazine) look it over and sent in my BEST clips displaying feature writing I was turned down via a generic email response.

"Thanks for your interest......overwhelming response.....unfortunately...."

I showed it to my feature writing professor who asked me to give her everything I mailed to them. She would send it to the editor personally. That was merely a month ago and still no (second) response. Since that time I've been applying to other publications, beating their deadline only to be served with the same response concerning overwhelming applicants and "unfortunately..."

I've been mulling over the option of writing a letter of interest to an editor with the Washington Post. Last summer I applied for a job with the Style section. The editor and I sent a couple of correspondence to each other when I didn't get the job. I asked what exactly was she looking for and she told me. Since then I've kept her email and lately I've been contemplating (a bit too hard) on what to say in regards to seeking an internship or even and apprenticeship under her.

Frustrating to say the least.

Of course what's making me a bit nervous is money. I would like to keep my reserves up while I have the chance. However freelancing seems a bit scary nowadays in this economy. I've been reading up on other freelancers via their blogs or published articles on the matter. So far it seems to be a 50/50 chance of survival. You either have it or you don't. It seems that well established freelancers can deal with this tight(er) economy than say.. someone like me... still starting out (or an inch or two above a starting point) and feeling their way.

I've been toying with the idea of even doing a part-time temp gig during the summer, to keep me busy (so I won't going totally insane as a stay-at-home-mom) and to help a bit financially.  

Either way, I feel something is out there for me this summer. I just don't know what. That's what is making me nervous and bit fustrated.

Gotta go feed the kid then.. on to Jill Scott's detective series on HBO.......