This summer gave me a wake up call that I am growing up and will be entering the real world May 2010. First off where did the past 3 years go? Secondly this summer there were times I felt like a real adult. Here is the story of my big girl summer.
I interned at WSB-TV in Atlanta. I started as a news intern and quickly realized I do not want to pursue a career in reporting, I had always thought about being an anchor but that would require years, and I mean years, of reporting in the field working the graveyard shift and weekends....no thanks!
I soon found my niche in the Creative Services department of the station and met my hero Donna Lampkin. Donna is over PR at WSB and is by far the most well connected woman in Atlanta, talk about networking, thats her middle name. I became Donna's shadow and soaked in all the great PR advice she gave me, including but not limited to: learn to write and enjoy it, never miss the opportunity to network, always be nice to people because you never know when they will become a client, and stay informed with everything that is going on around you.
Through Donna I was able to work many events, including the casting call for ABC's The Bachelor. I wrote for the WSB website and had three articles posted. I even dabbled in the art department and learned a thing or two about design. I put together a promotional research packet of what the competing stations were promoting about their station and typed up all the community service and appearances the on-air talent participated in so far this year to send to corporate to show their employees give back to the community, now that is good PR!
After my long 10 hour days I learned being a grown up isn't as fun as having a college schedule. Choosing our class times and slipping in naps during the day, we have it made! I also realized this Christmas I will be asking for professional clothes. I am weaning myself off buying sorority T-Shirts, they just aren't practical for the professional world. Overall I had a wonderful summer and learned a lot. As intimidating as the thought of the real world can be, getting a small taste of it this summer through my internship made me very excited to see what the future brings.
