Home

E-Tern Positions

FAQs

Orientation

Application
Winter 2003 E-ternship Program FAQ

1. What are HelpGrams?

2. Why create them?

3. How do they help?

4. How do HelpGrams benefit worthy causes and organizations?

5. What exactly will I be doing as an e-tern?

6. How will I complete my work?

7. Will I receive training?

8. Will I construct HelpGrams from scratch?

9. How will I communicate with staff?

10. What will I gain from an e-ternship?

11. How many hours will I have to commit?

12. Will I be a HelpGram, Inc. employee?

13. How will I be presented on the site?

14. How many e-terns will work with HelpGram?

15. What is required to successfully complete an e-ternship?

16. When will I start?

17. What are the next steps I should take?
  1. What are HelpGrams?
    HelpGrams are helpful information e-cards. They contain expert-generated information on personally relevant topics. They provide users with a quick overview of important topics, links to more in depth information, and they enable users to communicate with others in a thoughtful, caring manner. They also help to support related nonprofit organizations. Top of Page

  2. Why create them?
    Communication is often impeded by life's busy pace. But the expert-reviewed information in HelpGrams is presented in an easy-to-read format that's more like a card than an article. We believe that this brevity is important, since many people don't take time to read the articles their friends send to them, much less books. They do however read cards. In addition to providing concise and credible information, HelpGrams also empower people to improve their lives and to communicate information they lack or have difficulty sharing with others. Top of Page

  3. How do they help?
    HelpGrams add value in several different ways. They are a quick and easy means for users to find information on issues important to them. They provide users with a means to communicate to friends that they care about and support them. They give recipients exposure to expert-generated information that can help them prevent future problems or solve current ones. They also provide a means to assist worthy nonprofit organizations. Top of Page

  4. How do HelpGrams benefit worthy causes and organizations?
    A portion of the proceeds from the advertising and affiliate fee revenue on HelpGrams goes to related organizations and causes. The HelpGrams also contain a link to the relevant organization where HelpGram senders and recipients can make direct donations. Content experts are encouraged to help identify worthy help-care organizations. For example, they could select the American Cancer Society to receive a portion of the proceeds from a breast cancer HelpGram. Top of Page

  5. What exactly will I be doing as an e-tern?
    Depending on your position, you will work independently or as part of a virtual team completing one or more of the following tasks: researching and writing HelpGrams, editing HelpGrams, leading a team of writers, and helping writers improve their HelpGrams. Top of Page

  6. How will I complete my work?
    You will use our online workflow system to submit and manage your work. We will teach you, via our e-tern training Web sites, how to use our workflow system. When you’re ready to begin your e-ternship, we will give you the URLs to the e-tern training sites. Top of Page

  7. Will I receive training?
    Yes, all editors, writers, and writing coaches receive thorough training, via our e-tern training Web sites, on effective editing, writing, and/or coaching procedures. The training period lasts for two weeks, and typically takes twenty hours to complete. In many ways, it's similar to taking an online course. During the two-week training period, you must complete a test in which you’ll apply your understanding of the training materials. We'll allow you to progress to the next stage of your e-ternship upon successful completion of the test. If you fail the test (which is unlikely if you read and understand the training materials), you will repeat it until you receive a satisfactory evaluation. We administer the tests to ensure that you have read the training materials and that you can successfully apply what you’ve learned. Top of Page

  8. Will I construct HelpGrams from scratch?
    No. You will type your HelpGrams in a word-processing program. Then you will paste each HelpGram into a database-driven template accessed through our workflow system. Your HelpGram will be instantly generated after you submit it, and you will immediately be able to view it. Our workflow training will give you an in-depth understanding of this process. Editors are responsible for applying basic HTML-formatting enhancements to HelpGrams. Writers may also do so optionally. Top of Page

  9. How will I communicate with staff?
    You will use e-mail to communicate with the E-ternship Director and with other e-terns during the course of your e-ternship. Top of Page

  10. What will I gain from an e-ternship?
    Our e-ternship program will provide you with opportunities to do the following:
    • Earn college credit
    • Develop a portfolio to show employers
    • Get your work published on our Web site
    • Post your bio on our Web site
    • Discover how to write compelling and concise copy
    • Gain content editing and copyediting experience
    • Receive training on effective writing, editing, and researching procedures
    • Learn how to find credible information on the Web
    • Improve your ability to set realistic goals for projects
    • Enhance your time-management skills
    • Gain experience working in a virtual environment
    • Receive a letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the e-ternship
    • Inform others on important issues
    • Advance various social causes by assisting nonprofit organizations

    Top of Page

  11. How many hours will I have to commit?
    In the fall and spring sessions, the HelpGram e-ternship is a total of 120 hours over 8-12 weeks. We grant you flexibility to set your own hours during the course of the e-ternship. Top of Page

  12. Will I be a HelpGram, Inc. employee?
    You will not be an employee of HelpGram, Inc. You will agree to an e-ternship contract with HelpGram, Inc., outlining the terms of your work as an independent contractor with us. Independent contractors are people who work for themselves with their own equipment on their own time. Top of Page

  13. How will I be presented on the site?
    You will have a detailed profile on the site, including a photo and a list of the projects that you have worked on. Through this bio page, you will also be able to provide a link to your Web site. Top of Page

  14. How many e-terns will work with HelpGram?
    We anticipate over 20 e-terns. Top of Page

  1. What is required to successfully complete an e-ternship?


    • Writers must produce a minimum of 30 HelpGrams that fulfill our editorial standards, complete the time requirement, and demonstrate outstanding work ethic and professional growth during the course of the e-ternship.

    • Editors must edit 50 HelpGrams that fulfill our editorial standards, effectively lead their teams, complete the time requirement, and demonstrate outstanding work ethic and professional growth during the course of the e-ternship.

    • Assistant Editors must edit 50 HelpGrams that fulfill our editorial standards, effectively assist editors, complete the time requirement, and demonstrate outstanding work ethic and professional growth during the course of the e-ternship.

    • Writing Coaches must comment on writers' first five HelpGrams and provide helpful feedback to them when necessary during the course of their e-ternships. Also, writing coaches must write a minimum of 15 HelpGrams that fulfill our editorial standards. In addition, coaches must complete the time requirement and demonstrate outstanding work ethic and professional growth during the course of the e-ternship.

    • Copyeditors will be assigned a minimum of 90 previously edited HelpGrams. Most HelpGrams will only need minor revisions, but some will require more substantial changes. Copyeditors must also write 5-10 HelpGrams that fulfill our editorial standards, complete the time requirement, and demonstrate outstanding work ethic and professional growth during the course of the e-ternship.

      Top of Page

  2. When will I start?
    In mid-November, we will begin accepting applications for the spring term, which begins on February 3rd. Top of Page

  3. What are the next steps I should take?
    To apply, complete our online application. If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany Wright, E-ternship Director/Managing Editor, at Tiffany@HelpGram.com
    Top of Page