The New Kids... :)

17 Intern Academy Introduces some new faces...


“A wise man once said: ‘Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in you life again’ and that’s exactly what I am doing. That’s right, I’m at 17 magazine HQ, South Africa, and it is absolutely awesome to be here. Not only is that awesome but to see where the magic happens is amazing.
I will be here for two weeks working with the art director, Stacey, putting together the October issue. My task for the day was to get images that’ll be used in the mag, page through other countries issues of 17 to get some visual stimulation and a good feel for this industry.
The girls interning with me are really friendly and fit into the seventeam quite well… who knows, we could be the ones taking over next haha. With that said, being here (is it real? pinch me!!) just makes me realise that nothing’s impossible and I feel like I am a step closer to where I really wanna be: the fashion and magazine industry.
Can’t wait for tomorrow and the next day and the next…
Looking forward to the time I will be spending here, the experience, the friendships to be made… in a nutshell: the memories.”
– Donae, Art Director intern

“You know what I love most about Tuesdays? Nothing really. I think it’s just there so Monday won’t feel so close to Wednesday.
I’m in the final stages of finishing the careers flow chart, unofficially titled Road… Chart after school and the careers spread sheet, unofficially titled My Career is better that yours. I’m so excited to see the end product, but more excited to ‘put them to bed’ (just a little journalism lingo).
Tonight I’m going to go through my second batch of Seventeen Magazines that I’m reading through for the Media24 Magazines Excellence awards. I must admit I’ve never been able to say that I had to read through magazines as my job… I do that for fun ☺
I also spent more time with the new girls today, who by the end of the week I’ll stop addressing them as the new girls. They all seem like nice people. I must admit that I do miss the others. Would’ve been cool to all be here at once, 10interns one time☺
But such is life that we can’t control change, we can only embrace it.”
– Rutendo, Editor intern

“Well I'm almost nearing the end of Day 2, and it's been quite an experience. Yesterday I met Deputy Editor Jessica Manim, the person I will be reporting to and interning under for the next two weeks.
The day started off slow and easy as I took the first strides up Somerset Road in Green Point, looking for the 8 ink media offices of seventeen magazine for my 17 Intern Academy Programme. I entered the seventeen offices and was greeted by a lovely receptionist who immediately made me feel at home. The vibe here at seventeen is awesome. Not what I expected, but it will most definitely pick up.
My first assignment for the day included searching through past copies of seventeen and checking out the HOTTEST fashions. Well, I can tell you one thing... I am overwhelmed by the beauty products they have right here!!!! Like a mini cosmetics department(every girls heaven) lol...
My last assignment for the day was to come up with an idea that will be used in the October Issue, "17's Girls Guide to Life".
So day 2 has come to an end and it has been a blast! I met the rest of the team today in what was also my first meeting here at the magazine. I also met the Editor Khwezi Magwaza in the process of it all and I just love her way of doing things. Working on my feature for the October issue of seventeen went better than expected. I came with some cool ideas for the GGL section. It has been quite a slow day though, however I bet tomorrow will bring more surprises and more fun!”
– Shaakirah, Editorial intern

So Long, Farewell...

Having to say goodbye is always emotional on some level. Whether you’ve known someone your whole life, a week or just one day, some emotional heartfelt pain always follows the words “goodbye”.
Four of the interns, Kayla, Lezanne, Ashleigh, Jodi and, my partner in crime, Danelle, are leaving the 17 Internship Academy today. I’m going to miss our lunches, joking around and random photo sessions. It’s amazing how quickly you become friends with people you never thought you’d ever meet. Thank goodness for e-mail and Facebook. ☺
There were actually two farewells today. The one was for two employees that also work in the building and the other was for the 17 interns. We went down stairs and had some really good snacks. Then we came up and bid the four girls farewell.
On the work front: Danelle edited my work and I did hers. She’s a really talented, witty writer. Next week is looking up. There’s an iPod Touch launch that Jessica Manim (the deputy ed) has invited another girl and I to. Then there might be a potential car launch that I might go to (but I don’t have my driver’s so I might not). Mom, you were right I should’ve gotten it when I was still young ☺ hehe
Danielle gave all of us a farewell present but she also bought me a bottle of Evian water. It’s an inside joke but trust that I’ll use it well.
I’m planning on having an amazingly restful weekend. Next week we’re also getting a few more additions to the 17 Intern Academy. It should be fun. They should make this into a series and call it “The Academy”.
– Rutendo, Editor intern

The last day… A day of mixed emotions… I came in a bit earlier this morning to put the finishing touches on my article. Reading it for the last time was quite nerve wrecking… Will they like it? Will they think it’s horrible? The thing is, there’s really nothing more you can do about it. I’ve worked really hard on it and I gave it my best shot, so all I can do is hope for the best.
I got each of my fellow intern-lunch-buddies of the past week and a half a mini Lindt box of chocolates and wrote them each a note. I can’t believe how close we’ve become in just a week and half! I’m going to miss goofing off with them! I spent the morning finding pictures to go with my article and editing Rutendo’s career piece. It’s really good: I think you guys will love it. Then we had our “goodbye” party. :’( We had cupcakes and other nice snacks and then we each got a goodie bag! It was really sad saying goodbye to the seventeam and the other interns.
I decided to look through all of the photos of the past week and a half…
Trying to put my experience into words is like trying to nail jelly to a tree: impossible. It’s really been AH-mazing. I can’t believe today was my last day. I’ve learnt so much about the whole magazine industry and what this job really is about. Working with Zainab, Jess and Khwezi has been one great learning experience.
Great friends, writing, photos, lots of laughs, research and learning: I’m taking incredible memories back home with me. I came here with the idea that I might want to work as a journalist one day, and I can honestly say I’m leaving here knowing that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
– Danelle, Editorial intern

It’s my last day… AAW!!! I’m so sad to have to leave here. But I put on my happy face and carried on through the day. I started out with a search for more celebrity pictures and after that we had a goodbye meeting with lots of snacks and treats. Then we came upstairs to receive our certificates and amazing goody bags. I feel so lucky words can’t even begin to describe it! After that we held a mini photo shoot and got some awesome pictures out of it that will make brilliant reminders of my experience here. Choking back tears, I headed back to my desk to search for pictures one last time before saying goodbye to this unforgettable experience. Thank you to everyone involved and to those that I met during my stay here at Seventeen. You’ll all hold a special place in my heart forever…
– Kayla, Art Director intern

I spent most of the morning looking for more references for our hair makeovers piece and sorting more beauty products that Genevieve received – every different kind of hair accessory you could think of from Cosmic Options was there! I also read through Danelle’s piece on TV careers, which is really well done and interesting. It’s crazy how over-glamourised TV shows are nowadays.
At lunchtime, the whole office (including the NG Kids and NG Traveller teams that share the offices with seventeen) gathered round to say goodbye to two of the staff members. We had lots of yummy snacks like cupcakes and sweeties and then went upstairs to say goodbye to the interns who were leaving. They each got given a goodie bag (can’t wait for mine!) and we took some more photos! I am so sad to see them go.
Now it’s the weekend, and while the Seventeen are off for some team-building, I’m off for some R&R! ☺
– Jess, Beauty intern

So, today is my last day interning here at seventeen. I’m going to miss it so much especially lunch with Rutendo, Danelle, Jess and Kayla. Aww (tear, tear)
The interview yesterday went really well except for me being exceptionally nervous. I have really enjoyed working with everyone here at seventeen especially Delene, the entertainment editor.
Oh how I’d love to stay, but unfortunately I gotta go ☹ We got awesome goodie bags ( I haven’t looked in mine yet) If they offer another internship next year, I would encourage everyone to apply. It is sooo much fun and you get to meet really interesting people. Just one thing to remember: Don’t be late on your first day!! (Like I was) lol
I will really miss it here ☹
– Lezanne, Entertainment intern

Almost over….

It’s hard to believe that our first group of interns in the seventeen Intern Academy will soon be leaving us! It feels like it was yesterday we were all sitting in the boardroom, getting to know one another over breakfast. But although the time is almost over – there’s still work to be done!


Ah...to be an editor!

“I couldn’t get out of bed this morning and because of that I was 10 minutes late for work. I didn’t get into trouble or anything. But if there’s one thing I hate, it’s being late. (Rhyme ☺)

I thought the rest of my day would be down hill from there, but then I remembered where I am interning and I figured it wouldn’t be possible to have a bad day here. I just need to add a few more things to the careers spread sheet and my flow chart needs a little more flow. Jessica Manim, the deputy editor, and I are still having problems with Vodacom Color. Well the average person would find it weird that when we type in ‘Vodacom Color’ a German website pops up… Every year seventeen enters the ‘Media24 Magazines Excellence Awards’. This year Khwezi has asked Jessica Manim and me, yes me, to go through the past magazines to see which issues we will enter and what categories we will enter for. I am so excited. I am really enjoying these tasks.

We just voted for hot boys that will feature in the magazine. Let me just admit that there are some really fine boys out there. Why can’t I find just one for me… “Can any body find me… a hot boy to love?” Tomorrow is the last day of the 17 Academy for most of the girls here, besides Jess Stromin, the beauty intern, and myself. It’s going to be pretty sad to see the others go.
- Rutendo, editor intern

“Last night I finally received an e-mail from a Forensic Anthropologist. After being all stalkerish and sending e-mails to half of the world's Forensic Anthropologist asking them if they would answer a few questions for my article, all the trouble suddenly seemed worth it. I can't believe I'm almost done with my article. I can't believe I'm almost done interning... I can't believe I got to write my own article!
We started off the day with a meeting where we all got the chance to tell everyone what we're busy with. Khwezi asked Rutendo and me to stay and chat with her after the meeting... Ta dum ta dum ta dum... Haha! Okay, I was a little nervous, but it wasn't that bad at all. She read both our articles and just basically told us what's good about it and what she thinks would improve it. Tomorrow, Rutendo and I are going to be editing each other's work, because Khwezi wants us to see what the editing process is like. After all, that's why we're interning in the editorial department!
I'm really going to miss my fellow interns. We had the best lunch today- we went to a little cafe called Menu, and just sat there and chilled and laughed a bit. I can't believe I'm made such great friends in such a short time! After that, we all went straight back to work. We had a hottie meeting at the end of the day where we got to vote for who the hottest and the nottest SA and international celebs are. It was so much fun, I just stared at the pictures of guys the whole time - they're all soooo HOT! It was really difficult giving them each a rating out of ten - I thought all of them deserved "full marks" hehe. Oh, and we each got to keep one picture... of course I took Matt (Liam in 90210!) home with me.
Well, this has been quite an exciting and eventful day. Now I just got to put that finish touches on my article... wish me luck!!
- Danelle, editorial intern



Kayla hard at work

“I can’t believe my journey is nearly over! It feels like just yesterday I had started here. I guess the saying is true then: time flies when your having fun.
Today started with some eye candy for me as searched for more Justin Bieber pictures. I then sat in on a meeting for the interns to see how far we all are with our projects. It was announced that we have a half-day tomorrow and a breakfast to see us off. I’m so excited but also sad at the sad to say goodbye.
Then I had a break and chatted with the other interns before heading back to the office to search for more pictures. This time I had to find pictures of celebrities which was so much fun to do. Afterwards we had another meeting to vote who was hot or not for an up-coming issue. It was so much fun and I even got a picture of Taylor Lautner out of it. It’s so going up on my bedroom wall☺
And that was the end of my busiest day here at seventeen. But even though I was busy, I still had a blast…”
- Kayla, art director intern

“My day started off great, ready to do some work. Nothing new, I started off answering some oh boy questions. Like I said before, I feel like Dr.Phil! Haha. Later on, after finishing all that, it was time for lunch - walking down Somerset Road makes one feel as one is in New York City with crowds of people walking up and down. All six of the interns, including me, felt like we were the next Sex and The City girls, the way we walked to the shops and how we dress for work - it’s so much fun!! After some yummy lunch it was time to start working again. Did you know there will be a Mean Girls 2? I didn’t now I’m supa excited. Before home time we had a meeting with Khwezi and the ladies discussing all the overseas hotties and the local ones! Having a laugh with all of them really does make me happy to be here. It’s been amazing here and I’m very sad to be leaving tomorrow but I will never forget any of the wonderful people I met. Chat tomorrow.”
- Ashleigh, digital intern


Posing around the seventeen office!


Sourcing products for shoots is not always simple!

Midweek Madness: Photoshoots & Taylor Lautner

It’s halfway through the week and it’s hard to believe there are only a few days left of the first part of the 17 Intern Academy! The girls have been busily working on their articles, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been time for some fun too!


Getting together to pose!

“I’m back from my day off and am rearing to go…
Today started off with me pitching my idea for next year’s diary to Stacey, the art director. So I pulled up a chair and went to fetch my notes only to discover that my notes had disappeared! Luckily I remembered most of my ideas and could pitch them to Stacey off the top of my head. She seemed to like my idea, yay me☺, and now I can’t wait to see if she actually uses it.
My next task for the day, and this is for all those future Mrs Biebers out there, was to find images for next month’s story on Justin Bieber. I also had to find a runway picture of a mint green and candy floss pink summery outfit. But after the amount of pictures I had to go through before I could find them, you’d expect that I was searching for a picture of a one-eyed man riding on the back of the Loch Ness Monster!
After that search ended, I had to write a review on the July/August issue. Yes, that’s right, I got a free copy of the latest issue. It’s so awesome! Then we had a mini photoshoot of all the interns. It was pretty fun; sneaking around the office to try and get a picture by the editor’s desk. I felt like a little kid again and a famous one at that what with all the camera flashes going on☺”
- Kayla, art director intern


"Wow. So today I am super amped! This morning I was really tired and I just wanted to sleep. I dislike waking up early, but the minute I walked into the seventeen offices, I was wide awake. I walked past the huge Taylor Lautner cover on the wall, up the stairs and to my desk and I was warmly greeted by Rutendo and Danelle, my fellow interns. Oh, how I love it here. So this morning Delene, the enterainment ed, called me to her desk and told me that I will be interviewing a celeb. A real celebrity. I’m super excited. The interview is tomorrow. I won’t say who it is just yet. Gotta wait till my next blog ☺
At lunch, I had the most delicious sandwich. Yummy! The other girls and I love our lunch break because we get to chat (not that we don’t do it in the office) lol. Whenever we want to take a group picture of all of us interns, one person is missing. Today we FINALLY had everyone. We took many pictures with many different cameras. It was so much fun ☺ it’s almost time for me to leave. Each day seems to get better and better. I love it here. Until tomorrow peeps."
- Lezanne, entertainment intern


Jodie and Ashleigh

"So today I am kitted out in the colours of the Spanish flag as I back my team in the semi-finals tonight. Today has been quite busy so far. This morning I have been contacting more Urban Scouts, even though many of the girls’ phones go straight to voicemail, in order to get their addresses for their gifts. I also did a video recording for Kerry telling Media24 why I love seventeen and why I chose to be an intern here. I was really nervous but I thoroughly enjoyed it all. I was even told I was a natural. At lunchtime Ashleigh and I went out to Spar to get some sweet (and savoury) snacks. After having my lunch, I was about to get down to business when the other interns came down to take group photos. Taking the photos was great fun and upon returning to my desk, I can officially say that my jaws are sore from smiling. But it was all worth it.
It is almost 3pm already! I have no idea where the time has gone! I am now going to be working on a cover letter that will be sent out via email, to the seventeen clientele. I am also excited because I will be getting a sneak peak at the July/August issue. Definite perks to being an intern."
- Jodie, PR intern

This morning I woke up so amped to get to work. Got here on time and Jennifer, the group digital editor, came to me with loads of work to do today. I started off doing some gossip stories and managed to find out some great new celeb juice! After all that fun, I then had to do some love doctor questions. I felt like Dr. Phil It’s like Ugly Betty here, everyone is running around doing their job and I’m running around too as I have so much to do! After having some lunch with Jodie, I went back to work and a little while later the interns from upstairs came down to take some group pictures. I’m going to miss it here. Look at me standing by Taylor Launter poster lol so cool hey. It was so much fun taking pictures with the girls back to work. Chat soon keep smiling ☺
- Ashleigh, Digi Ed intern


We're def Team Jacob!

Hot Guys, Lunch and... Netherlands to Win?

“Today has been quite busy, as I have been working on our newsletter. I am really excited to see how it will turn out! Since I walked in this morning I have been busy typing away and putting together a possible format for the newsletter. Ashleigh and I had a quick lunch together. I can’t believe that I have just 2 more hours left at seventeen today. Time really does fly when you are kept busy and having fun. Well, now to find a place where we can get foliage or vines. Hope it won’t take me TOO long.”
– Jodie, PR intern

“The weather this morning was really bad, but it was warmer in the office. We had a meeting this morning where we looked at pictures of boys (their girlfriends too though) for an article. It was sooo much fun :D
This day seemed like it went by so quickly. Maybe it’s because we end work at 14:30 today because the game is in Cape Town. I’d say work was pretty cool today. I love saying work ☺ I work now ☺ lol. This is all going to be over soon and I will miss it, especially lunch will my fellow interns ☹ aww I wish it wouldn’t end.”
– Lezanne, Entertainment intern



Checking out a few pics of some hotties ;)

“Holland! Wooohooo! Okay, apart from being totally SUPER EXCITED about tonight’s soccer match, today was really great. I walked into the offices (wearing my orange Netherland’s T-shirt of course!), greeted the other interns and started working on my article. I’m really excited about it, I think all the research was actually worth it (not to mention a lot more exciting than doing research for a school task). We also had a mini meeting about the boy’s talk section, which was really cool, because we got to look at all the pictures and decide which guys are hot enough (okay, not really, the answers are also important), and some of those guys were really good looking, hehe. This afternoon we each got a free issue of Seventeen, which was quite cool, and the rest of the day we all just worked on our articles. But for now I’m off to go and watch Netherlands win… until tomorrow, tot ziens!! “
– Danelle, Editorial intern

“I don’t really feel like staring this with the usual “Today I…” or “Today was a good day…” or even “I am happy…” I want to take a different approach so I’m going to start with this.
Dear person reading this blog. If there is one thing I’ve learnt about being a journalist it is that you have to find different ways of saying the same thing. If you think about it, there are only a few ways to say one thing, unless of course you can say it in a different language.
I’m virtually finished with my careers spread sheet. I’m giving myself till the end of Wednesday to draw a close to it (my first deadline). Other wise, as “intern editor”, I’ll fire myself. (Not really)
We went through the ‘best boyfriend’ feature earlier on today... It’s really nice to see a feature begin to take shape. Some of the guys and girls that live in Cape Town will be coming to the Seventeen offices to do a mini photo shoot for the feature. I’m quite excited because hopefully my friends will be able to come through.
Another thing I’m working on is a report back for Vodacom’s new Color feature for phones. I’m not totally sure what it’s about yet.
Today we’re finishing a lot earlier because of the World Cup game happening today. This means two hours less of ‘Seventeen time’ ☹ “
– Rutendo, Editor intern




Lunch anyone?

No Blue Mondays at 17 HQ

“The dreaded Monday morning curse hit me this morning as I got out of bed. I really didn’t want to get up out of my warm, cozy bed and start the day. I dragged myself to the bathroom to get ready and then headed off to work. I must admit, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about it. Then I entered the building and the casual, fun air hit me and I couldn’t help but feel energised and eager to work.
I got my first assignment today where I was allowed to come up with ideas all by myself. So I dug right in and spent the entire morning coming up with creative designs for next year’s seventeen diary. I really enjoyed doing that and the excitement filtered through every creative bone in my body. Then it was time for lunch and the interns went to strut their stuff out in the city. Okay, so it was more like walking to a nearby Spar and back, but everything I do here just seems so much more glamorous that I can’t help but exaggerate.
After we got back I looked through some US issues of seventeen to find pictures for the diary. Then a few of the other interns and myself started to get itchy feet and decided to have our own photo shoot. We pulled out a few poses around the office and then it was back to work.
And so another day draws to a close. I can’t believe I’ll have to go back to school after this. It’s going to be such a drag compared to this. I guess I’ll just have to enjoy every moment I have left of this amazing opportunity…”
– Kayla, art director intern


Kayla and Rutendo having "a moment" with June cover star, Taylor Lautner




“Walking into the offices today, I felt like a grown-up going to work. It felt really awesome to think that this could one day be my job. (I know it’s going to take really hard work and effort to get there, but it would be worth it!) We started today with a meeting to discuss how far we all are with our different stories. It was really helpful hearing the seventeam’s opinions and comments on our stories, and it was also interesting to hear about what they were working on.
After the meeting, I realised that I really want to make a success of my story so I immediately started working and doing research. Sometimes you have to get a bit out of your comfort zone and do something you’ve never done before, but it’s all part of the experience! I went out to lunch with some of the other interns – it was really cool hearing what they were working on and getting to know them. When we got back, we all immediately started working again. I sent a few e-mails to some of my sources, did a bit of research and checked in with Rutendo (our intern editor!) every once in a while for a break. Oh, and I had a really delicious Black Cat Bar! I think I might be ready to start writing tomorrow. Yes! ☺”
– Danelle, editorial intern

“Today was so great. I arrived at the office well rested from the weekend. We had a meeting in the morning to discuss the next issue and what we are all working on. After the meeting we got straight to work until lunchtime.
At lunchtime, the rest of the girls and I stepped out of the office. It was sooo cold! But as we got used to the outside air, it got warmer. When I returned to the office, Bianca (the fashion assistant) and I went sourcing. We visited many shops in search of what we would need for a shoot we’re doing for the October issue. We found most of the things that we needed.
After this day, I am really tired and my feet are really sore from all that walking in the mall. Overall, I’d say that my day was GREAT! ☺”
– Lezanne, entertainment intern

“My first task of the day was to be write a cover letter for an email that goes out to various media houses but the information that I need will only be available once the magazine is released. This task would have required me to neaten up some documents before attaching it to an email with my cover letter and sending it off to clients. Let’s hope I can get the information soon because I am excited to write a cover letter that will be associated with seventeen magazine!
After working with Siham (the permanent PR and Events intern) for a little bit, I went to the Spar to grab some lunch with Ashleigh (another intern). On the way back we bumped into the other interns who were also out for lunch. Ashleigh and I then got back to the office and had our lunch together. Thereafter I continued to help Siham with the online newsletter and after completing my tasks she told me that I write well. *special moment*
I received some responses from the emails I sent this morning and I hope to receive a lot more by tomorrow. The other girls thought of taking a group photo of the interns but Lezanne was out so we put the photo on hold. Let’s hope that tomorrow we can get that photo because it is already 4pm! Shoo! This day went by quickly. I can’t believe it’s almost home time. No blue Mondays at seventeen magazine!
– Jodie, PR intern

Getting Stuck In!

The first week of the 17 Intern Academy arrived way too fast for us! The group has gotten down to business pretty quickly and are all hard at work on their assignments, helping the seventeam create the October issue of seventeen.


Rutendo hard at work - shortly before her screen collapsed!


This morning I thought I was going to be late for work, but turns out I was early. Four of the interns, including myself, were all wearing some sort of blue. We were matching, but we didn’t plan it (I guess great minds dress alike). Later, while I was typing away happily, the screen fell over and the stand broke! The computer is a Mac so I was in quite a bit of shock and my heart went over the beat limit. The staff came to help me all a little shocked as well. I sort of didn’t know what to say, all I know is it fell on it’s own. I’m still using it. It’s held up by a box and presstick (old school).

At the moment I’m working on two of my four stories, one is on careers and the other is a fashion piece with fashion ed Taugheedah’s assistant, Bianca. The piece is about fashion in the work place. We also had a really interesting chat about the fashion industry and how she started working.

I’m off to have a great weekend. I’ve got some work to do and a little research carry out, but it doesn’t seem like work to me.

See you on Monday.
-Rutendo, editor's intern


Today was so great. I finally met the entertainment editor of seventeen – she’s been off sick - and she is really nice. I will be working with her over this next week. This morning she gave me a stack of CDs and a few books that I have to review. So, I spent my whole day finishing my tasks from yesterday and listening to all the CDs. I only managed to listen to 4 today. Well, I know what I’ll be doing this weekend. Lol ☺

We also had a meeting this afternoon, which was really cool. The seventeam is soooo funny. I loved every bit of this day. Too bad it’s Friday and I can only come back on Monday. I am really glad that I am a part of this internship because I can finally see what goes on behind the scenes of seventeen magazine and the other interns are really cool people. I love this job! ☺

- lezanne, entertainment ed's intern


Danelle and Rutendo discuss an article

When I got home yesterday, I was exhausted. I wanted to take a half an hour nap and then go jogging, but the half an hour nap turned into 3 hours - I never thought working could be so fun and so tiring at the same time! When I got here this morning, I immediately started doing research for my article. I kind of had no idea where to start, so I was really grateful when Zainab, the junior copy editor, asked me to go with some of the staff on the coffee run. Caffeine is always a good! After my cappuccino, doing research was a breeze and I suddenly felt really inspired, hehe. I spent the afternoon writing, doing research and laughing (especially when Rutendo’s screen fell over… hehe, it wasn’t her fault, but it was really random. Someone needs to phone Apple!!). It’s been fun, BUT I’m glad it’s Friday. Can’t wait to see what next week will be like - I have a feeling I might need to get some sleep this weekend!

- danelle van rensburg, editorial's intern


Jodie at her Mac.

So I have arrived waaaaaay to early once again and I am sure that the staff must think that I am a little whack for being here before everyone else, but there never seems to be traffic when I travel… My day started off with Kerry, who works on the digital team, asking me if I would like to be in the magazine by making a comment on going green. Obviously I said yes! I mean, how could I refuse? Next it was off to a meeting with the Marketing Department, where we discussed the upcoming survey for National Geographics Kids (NG Kids). The meeting was interesting and it felt amazing to be able to give my input to the concept of the survey and actually have the staff approve of my ideas. After the meeting things mellowed down a bit… it must be because it is Friday. For the rest of the day I just made a few phone calls to the winners of the NG Kids competition and surfed the Net. The phone calls were quite special, especially since I got to speak to one of the winners, Lisa Viret, and she was so excited to be the winner of the competition and receiving her prize. It feels good when you are able to make some else happy.

- Jodie, PR's intern

Meetings, meetings, meetings...

At a features meeting where everyone presented their ideas to the seventeam :)

“Today was a really good day. I felt like a seventeen employee. I walked into the office, went to my desk, said my hellos and then reported to Kwezi, the editor, for my tasks for the day. We then had a meeting with all the interns and the 17team to discuss the October issue. It was really interesting to hear what the other departments will be working on. I got a chance to pitch my ideas for the next issue. I’m so excited because I get to work on three of the features I proposed.
After our meeting we all decided to go for lunch. It was a great breather and a good chance for all of the interns to get to know each other better.
It’s not just all work and no fun. We went around taking random photos of us “working” but we knew the camera was there so it was pose working.
It’s not work when you’re having fun.
Till tomorrow ☺”
– Rutendo, 19, Editor intern


Rutendo and Khwezi hanging out doing "editorial" things.

I arrived at the seventeen offices excited for the day. This morning we were given a task to complete before our meeting. I must say that I had fun trying to think up ideas on the topic that we were given. At the meeting, we had to present our ideas. We went through everyone’s ideas and thoughts on the next issue. In that meeting, I was given my first major assignment. Well, several assignments but they’re all pretty important. Plus, I was given my first deadline for a task.
Directly after that meeting was lunchtime and so a few of the interns and I stepped out of the office to enjoy the sun on our lunch break. When we returned to the office, we got straight to work. The office was hushed with everyone working on our respective pieces.
I think that today was a pretty productive day and I definitely can’t wait for tomorrow to continue my tasks ☺
– Lezanne, 17, Entertainment editor intern


Striking a pose...

Interning in Full Swing

Danelle, copy editor intern, and Rutendo, editor intern, hard at work!

This year the 17 Intern Academy received such high numbers of applications, we decided to extend the Academy for an extra few weeks to fit in as many girls as possible! Over the coming days you'll be hearing from a range of the girls who've given up their holidays to come work with the seventeam.

Day One, 30 June
"If you’d told me six months ago that I would be spending part of my June/July holidays interning at one of my favourite magazines, I probably would have laughed! Never in a million years did I think that I would be one of the ‘chosen ones’, as Khewzi called us at our introductory breakfast earlier this morning, and I feel so incredibly lucky to have this opportunity.

When I woke up this morning feeling as though Christmas had come early – far too excited for my own good! A little nervous too, I’ll admit. Not knowing what to expect and the will to impress egged my nervousness on, but after finally arriving at seventeen offices and meeting the seventeam, I was able to relax. Over muffins, fruit salad and crumpets with whipped cream, the other interns and I were introduced to the seventeam who were really friendly and warm. For my internship, I’m shadowing the beauty editor, Genevieve. Apart from just deciding what make-up, skincare and hair products are included in each issue, she also works on a lot of advertorials such as the Clean & Clear ‘The BFF’s Guide to Life’ series. I’ll be working with her on these while I’m here, which is really exciting because it means I get to go on photo shoots and help her! There's also a whole wall devoted to the free gifts Gen gets like ghd hair products, Dermalogica face washes, MAC make-up, Essie nail polish and so much more – can’t wait for the seventeen beauty sale!

Can’t wait to see what the next two weeks hold for me!"

-Jess Stromin, 18, Beauty Ed


"Last night I couldn’t sleep so I made myself a playlist called 'The Intern'. It was supposed to motivate and calm me. But as I was getting ready for my first day as a 17 internee, I thought of how I’d walk into the office where people would be running around, tripping over papers, all in fear of the editor who would never speak, only give glances over her thick rimmed Dolce and Gabanna glasses. I’ve clearly spent too much time watching The Devil Wears Prada and re-runs of Ugly Betty.

Day one of the 17 Academy was nothing like I imagined. I am lucky enough to be shadowing Khwezi, the editor, for the duration of the internship. She’s really nice and so is the rest of the team.

The 17 office is a very pretty place filled with pictures of models, celebrities, hair, make-up and fashion trends, and of course all the past editions of the magazine. It’s an open plan office so the team can easily chat to each other and share ideas. After we were shown around and given a station to work at, I felt a lot more settled in. My first task was simple. It required some creativity and language skills that I acquired during my 12 years of schooling. I ‘edited’, ish, a piece of writing done by one of the employees of 17. I didn’t find any faults so I just added in some of my ideas, took some out and then I was done.

Can’t wait till tomorrow!"

- Rutendo Nyamuda, 19, Editor

Lezanne - hard at work.

"This morning when I got out of bed, I was pretty nervous. I have never had a job before so this was a new experience for me. After getting lost, trying to find the seventeen offices, I felt relieved to finally arrive. I walked into the building unaware of what to expect.

I was greeted by many smiling faces and I immediately felt comfortable with my surroundings (even though I arrived a bit late due to the fact that I got lost). All my nerves went out the window and I was getting ready to work. I was allocated a desk with a computer and a task to complete. Once that was completed, I was given another task and that is how the day went. The tasks were enjoyable. They included commenting on a previous issue of seventeen magazine and the present issue that will be released soon and doing some researching. It felt so cool looking through the magazine before it became available for everyone else.

I can’t wait for day two"

- Lezanne Boroto, 17, Entertainment Editor

17 Intern Academy 2010

The seventeen Intern Academy 2010 kicked off today!
Stay tuned for all the intern updates in the coming month...