Colgate students are participating in internships in a variety of fields and locations this summer. This post is by Zac Lomas ’15, a history and English double major from Buffalo, N.Y.
In the summer of 2012, I interned at a Buffalo-based law firm and promptly learned that I did not want to be a lawyer. However, during one day that summer, I was browsing the Internet for interviews with one of my favorite bands, called Every Time I Die, when I stumbled across a music website called MindEqualsBlown.net, and discovered that it was looking for writers. I sent in an application, wrote several trial pieces, and became a volunteer staff writer that September, thus beginning my journey into the world of music journalism.
Nine months later, in May 2013, I moved to PropertyOfZack.com — a leading website in the coverage of punk, hardcore, and alternative music — where I am currently interning remotely as a staff writer. POZ provides both news and opinion pieces, with my area of concentration falling in the latter category.
My work with POZ does not end when the summer is over and classes start. Rather, I contribute to POZ throughout the year, continually writing reviews and editorials while balancing my on-campus responsibilities with music-focused groups like Broad Street Records and Colgate’s student-run radio station, WRCU.
As a POZ staff writer, I am responsible for contributing at least one piece of original content to the site every week. This quota can be filled with anything from reviews of a band’s latest LP, to an interview with a popular artist, or a review of a live show.
Although my job is one of my greatest passions in life, it can be difficult at times; like comedian/actor Martin Mull said: “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” This challenge of describing something that, in its very nature, is indescribable keeps me yearning to write that next review.
My work with POZ not only allows me to think creatively and flex my writing muscles, but it also provides me with exclusive access to sold-out shows and festivals, such as Riot Fest in Toronto, Groezrock Festival in Belgium, or Vans Warped Tour.
As a rising senior, I hope to parlay my writing experience with POZ and position as general manager at WRCU-FM into a career in the music industry, as either a music journalist or a representative at a record label after graduation.