Tag Archives: internship

Summer with (a) View

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Performing arts in the Adirondacks. Sounds pretty idyllic, right? I, along with two other SUNY Oswego students and 3 students from other schools, got to work at View Arts Center in a variety of functions such as graphic design, events, and performances. My specialty was performances, but arts organizations are often small which means that there was a good deal of crossover.

Hanging with my buddy, Url.

A little background on View: it began in the yard of a woman named Mirnie Kashiwa. Dedicated to her community and its enrichment, she began to display art on chicken wire in her yard and then raised money to eventually buy a building and expand the art gallery. To do this she created the Arts Guild of Old Forge. She established the Kinderwood Preschool program for young children and the organization really expanded throughout the community and area. Eventually, the guild was able to expand even more and buy land and create a LEED certified gallery with workshops and performance space.

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason

As the performances intern, I got to write press releases promoting the shows, work with performers, and handle a good deal of logistics that go along with putting on a show. We would put on concerts and theatre performances that cover genres from opera to folk to broadway. Some of my favorites acts included Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, folk performers who frequently collaborate with Ken Burns (they have Grammy nominations for their work on the Civil War documentary) and the Dan Brubeck Quartet, a jazz act from Vancouver who had their music featured in Baby Driver. I found that performers were kind and generous and very easy to talk to, which made the job more rewarding.

A photo I took to promote our ice cream social

Aside from coordinating volunteers and assuring the venue was prepared for a performance, I also participated in the other events we would host. For the annual gala View hosted, the interns along with the COO and secretaries were responsible for running the fundraising efforts during the gala such as the silent auctions and taking bids for the main auction. We also were man power for the craft show, antique show, and other events.  

Francesca Antonello (@chessmanceramics) aka my lovely roomie and throwing teacher

This internship was more than just working though. I was fortunate enough to meet some amazing people, particularly my housemate Francesca Antonello. She was the workshop intern and a very talented ceramicist. I was also able to learn new skills like glass fusing, pottery making (thanks Francesca!), and yoga classes. During the summer I was able to expand and learn more about myself, both in a personal and professional context. Plus, it helped to do it in such a pretty place.

An Intern Abroad

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Imagine a 5’2 American girl lugging 15 lbs worth of equipment on and off the Tube, through places like Trafalgar Square and world famous museums like the Victoria & Albert. That’s my reality every time I go to work.

I’m one of the 3% of American students who intern abroad. I work for a news and entertainment channel called London Live. I get sent all over the city to cover all different kinds of events. My repertoire now includes filming a theatre show designed around accessibility for both deaf and hearing audiences, to covering one of the most famous portraits in the world at the National Gallery.

The Arnolfini portrait is one of the art world’s greatest mysteries. This is a screenshot from one of my pieces I filmed for my job.

Work has also enabled me to attend an exclusive opening at the world famous Saatchi Gallery. After spending a day filming different exhibitions within the gallery, the curator handed me an invitation to attend the members-only opening that night. It was definitely one of the more surreal moments of my life.

A piece by the delightful and talented Daniel Crews Chubb, who I had helped interview earlier that day.

However, that isn’t the only type of things I have covered. My first real day in the office was the bombing at Parsons Green. My train had been cancelled before work so I had to walk/jog to make it. Nobody understood the magnitude of the situation. Even as we covered the scene live, details would trickle out slowly as we learned exactly what happened. I even managed to track down an interview with someone who was on the train. Sure enough, as what happens in big news situations, even reporters from the BBC and other international news companies started trying to record the interview I was getting with the London Live journalist I was sent out with. Talk about an intense and exciting first day!

One of the images I captured at the scene of Parsons Green.

 

Media frenzy at Parsons Green.

My work experience in London has been challenging and immensely rewarding. Finding your footing abroad is no easy feat. I’ve had to adjust to different styles of storytelling, different spellings, navigating a foreign workplace (not to mention an entire city!). However, I truly enjoy all of the change that’s happening in my life. I’ve grown so much in many different ways, both personally and professionally. The tests and challenges keep on coming, but the best way to grow is to keep moving forward and to keep learning.

This is an overlook of–in a broad sense–my office.

Where Did The Summer Go?!

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It’s hard to believe that Summer 2012 is essentially winding down to a close. With only a few days left of my Summer, I really have no idea where it went..

I spent this entire Summer at an internship with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, better known as the MTA, that I got with a LOT of help from Experience Based Education at SUNY Oswego. I have to thank them so much for being patient with me, because the process that I had to go through to get the internship was such a hassle. Thankfully, when I went in for the interview, I was hired on the spot.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, what is a broadcasting major doing at the MTA? Well, the MTA has a PR show known as TransitTransit News Magazine. It’s a pretty interesting show that’s been around for nearly 20 years. It airs Saturdays and Sunday’s on Ch. 25 WNYE-TV in NYC, and sporadically on the public access channels around the city. Don’t ask me what time because honestly, I’ve never watched the show on TV( I get DVD copies every month).

The internship was very helpful in a sense that I learned new things and was allowed to apply  all that I learned in school as well. I am extremely grateful that I was able to learn how to use Avid at TransitTransit, because it never really hurts to know more editing programs.

I also managed to take away a lot of life lessons from the internship. When it wasn’t time for “carry this, carry that, fetch me breakfast..” My boss and everyone taught me a lot about the business and people. That definitely was not rainbows and butterflies. But I guess the biggest and most important thing I learned at my internship was that  I still want to be an Editor or Producer, despite the negativity I experienced.

In about  5 days I’ll be Oswego bound. The semester is going to be quite an interesting one to say the least. I need to some how manage TA-ing, two positions at WTOP10-TV, 4 classes, and a job. I’ve got a lot on my plate this semester, but I am definitely looking forward to the challenge.

Proud

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Over winter break I worked at a non profit arts organization. Here is one of my projects.

It feels great to look at that video and remember a time where I never thought I would be able to do something like this. Editing this video truly gave me the confidence to believe that it is never to late to learn a new skill.

Don’t Worry, It All Works Out

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… those were the final last words from one Steve Granelli as I left Lanigan Hall in a frazzled, worried mess. Would I be able to continue on the fast track to a December graduation? In the name of all that is holy in internship land, how would I be able to stretch my internship to earn me the 6 credits I oh-so-desperately needed?

To bring you up to speed, I did land an internship for the summer, and I am BEYOND thrilled about what I’m doing. I’m a Long Island girl, born and raised (though I will contend that I am a displaced country girl at heart), and when I saw a posting on LakerLeads that looked perfect for me, I had to apply.

And now, I am a proud intern at not one, but TWO of Long Island’s biggest and most popular radio stations!

Okay, Long Islanders, you’ve probably listened to either one of these two stations in your lifetime. I grew up on both of them, listening to WBLI every morning as I got ready for school, and blasting WBAB in the car with my dad. I think that’s what I’m so excited to be a part of something that has been there for me for years upon years – I can identify with both stations since I am a listener myself. Just to give you an idea, I distinctly remember listening to WBLI after 9/11, and I was only 11 years old on that fateful day. Who knows how long I was listening to WBLI/WBAB before that?!

Anyway, I just wrapped up my second full day with WBLI. I work Wednesdays from 6am-9am, then again from 11am-2pm, and sometimes later than that, depending on whether or not I have an event to work later. I also work other promotional events throughout the week, depending on what we have planned and what events I have chosen to work.

More to come on the ins and outs of my internship in upcoming posts – I don’t wanna give away all the details just yet! For now, I will leave you with a picture of my two intern t-shirts I wear when I go on events. Yeah, I was kinda excited after orientation and took a picture. Teeheehee 🙂

Re-located to D.C.!

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So, it’s been very long since my last post, but life as a senior is hectic!

UPDATE:
I am now located in Friendship Heights in Washington D.C.! Woot. I’m on the Northwest border of “The District,” and I’m living with an associate pastor at a Presbyterian Church down here. It’s pretty exciting.

I live down the street from the Mazza Gallerie, where there are tons of shops like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nieman Marcus, New Balance, etc. Hoity toity stores that I can’t afford, unfortunately.

But, there is a Steinmart and TJMaxx where I just bought some business casual clothing for the start of my internship. Yay!

As to what I’ll be doing down here for the semester, I have an internship with Amnesty International USA with their Government Relations team. I will be working on passing this International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), and other things dealing with women’s rights around the world.

I don’t have a LOT of experience with this, but I am interested in furthering the economic capacity of women! (i.e. making sure that all of the work they do is reaping some sort of economic recognition). So, all in all, this should be a wonderful experience.

Also, it’s AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL! Hello!!!!!! It’s pretty much the Harvard University of the world of NGOs (non-governmental organizations). Amnesty has the most pull out of every NGO in the country, arguably the world, to effect change and to get the UN to pass resolutions and work on foreign policy.

So, I’m VERY excited. I will keep you all posted!

Just Do It

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Cloud nine can’t even begin to describe the state of euphoria I am in right now.

After working all day,  my fitness editor, Mary, asked me to attend a press event with her. Clearly, I said yes. Then I found out it was for Nike and we were testing their new products that are launching in July. I couldn’t have been more psyched.

After our car service dropped us off at 555 West 18th Street, we mingled with other editors in attendance and waited for the event to start. For those of you who are not familiar with the media industry, press events are attended by various editors, writers, staffers and bloggers from multiple magazines. The goal is to find out about new products and come back with any new, exciting information that could possibly run in the magazine. Usually, you get gift bags as well so that all of the promoted products can be tested!

When the program began, a lot of the new products were discussed and technologically explained. Nike’s new gear is launching in July, and it ranges from new sneakers to sports bras. Everything discussed today was geared toward women because, well, everyone there was female and worked at some form of a women’s magazine. I’d tell you about the new stuff coming out, but you’ll have to check out my health and fitness blog, The Pulse, for that insider info.

A huge surprise came next.

Michael Johnson, four-time Olympic gold medalist and world record-holder for the 400-meter and 4 X 400 m relay, spoke to us about proper preparation for running. I was slightly star struck. To make it better, he also Skyped (possibly another system used, but I think it was Skype) with Sanya Richards, the defending U.S. and world champion in the 400-meter. She provided tips specifically for females to prepare their mind and body for running. But again, if you want that info, you’re going to have to check out The Pulse.

Finally, we were decked in Nike’s latest gear from head to toe, all the way down to the socks and sports bras. Everyone decided to run two, four or six miles and Nike brought in professionals to pace us throughout our run. I stuck with two because of my blood disorder, but I think next time I’m going to tough out four. Oh, and Michael Johnson ran with us two-milers! (I finished the run before he did, if that counts for anything.) And yes, we got to keep all of our gear, so I now have a ton of new fitness gear!

So this is just a few toes dipped into the ocean of things that magazine journalists are able to experience. I can’t wait to dive in.

Getting into ASME

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Working at a magazine is everything I’ve imagined it would be.

People keep asking me how great my internship is and whether or not I love what I’m doing, and that’s the only thing I can say in response. Working at FITNESS has been amazing and it’s only been a week. I’ve already learned so much; I’ve floated between departments so that I’m getting a taste of everything to figure out what I like.

I want to explain how I got this amazing internship so that future aspiring journalists can possibly take the same route. Beginning my junior year of college, I started looking for bigger internships because I had already completed my required one last summer at the Utica Observer-Dispatch newspaper (Journalism majors at Oswego State are required to complete at least one).  I always knew I wanted to work in New York City someday, so that was my first location to scour. Seventeen was at the top of my list because that’s one of my dream jobs. Then Professor Loomis forwarded me an e-mail to apply for an internship with the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME), which operates under the Magazine Publishers of America (MPA). It told me that if I were accepted, I would be placed at one of 21 magazines in New York City as a paid intern. I was sold.

After a long application process and an even longer wait, I got the great news that I had been accepted! ASME is an extremely competitive program: only 24 interns are accepted, 21 to N.Y.C. and three to Washington, D.C. Later, I found out I’d be working at FITNESS, my number one choice out of the participating magazines! Life couldn’t get any better.

Now that I’m here, I’ve learned how competitive and how prestigious this program actually is. People in Human Resources look for ASME on resumes when deciding who’s going to get an interview. And the community here is incredibly strong. In the magazine industry, and many others, it’s all about who you know these days. Your contacts get you the interview; your skills get you the job. And once you’re in ASME, the community there has got your back. It’s often being compared to a sorority, and I just finished pledging.

So to anyone looking to break into the magazine industry: apply to be an ASME intern. You must have completed your junior year, heading into your senior year. You need two recommendations, an application, and a bunch of other little things. Download the application and start plugging away. This could be your foot in the door.

Oh, and don’t think that you can’t get in just because you go to a small school. Yes, I’m the first one to get in at Oswego State, but I’m confident I won’t be the last.

Beginning a Magazine Internship

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Hi, guys! My name is Samantha Shelton and I have just recently moved to New York City for the summer and I couldn’t be more excited! I am participating in the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) 2010 internship program, where I have been assigned to work at Fitness Magazine. Before I delve into the fantastic details about what’s going on in my life now, let me tell you a bit about myself.

I am going to be a senior at Oswego State with a dual major in journalism and creative writing. I have been involved in various clubs and organizations; I simply love being immersed in different activities. I am a public relations student manager and a personal trainer at the Cooper/Glimmerglass Fitness Centers, the Managing Editor at the student-run newspaper, The Oswegonian, and the Education Chair in Colleges Against Cancer. I also actively participate in intramurals. I used to play on the intercollegiate soccer team, but a torn ACL, miniscus and blood disorder have prevented me from making a comeback.

I’m from an extremely small town in upstate New York, also known as Oppenheim. I know, I’m sure you have never heard of it. I don’t take offense; there are more cows in this town than people. However, if you have heard of Herkimer, or Herkimer County Community College, then you’re right near my hometown! Herkimer is about 20 minutes west of Oppenheim.

Ok, so here’s a quick dose of the good stuff: I am interning through ASME, an extremely well-known and prestigious internship program located in New York City. I’m living at NYU and working at FITNESS. So far, I’ve met incredible people throughout the industry, from Editors-in-chief and Managing Editors to Consumer Marketing Executives and Photo Directors. I’ve been given so much advice and information on how to succeed at my internship and break into the industry. I toured the FITNESS offices today and I could not be more excited to begin work on Monday! Working at a magazine has always been my dream and I’m proud to say I’m really starting to live it!

New adventures!

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Happy April! Things have finally settled down within Student Association, for the most part! Steven DiMarzo was elected president after a long, hard fight. Some people are still angry but all I have to say to those who are still angry is, why? We’re all here for the same reasons as the end, the students of SUNY Oswego. We all want change, we all want a better tomorrow. So put aside your resentment and come together, lets make things happen. Holding grudges about things doesn’t get anything done, it only hinders the process and the opportunity to create change for an improved student association. I guess it’s easier for some to understand than others but it’s all a learning experience.

On a lighter now, I’ve unofficially finished pledging Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed community service fraternity! We had 30 pledges this semester and it has been one heck of a ride! I’ve made a lot of great friends through the experience and hope the relationships will last for years to come! We cross on Sunday, April 11 and I really can’t wait! It’s going to be so excited. Next weekend, we go to sectionals. It’s a leadership conference for APO. I am running for a position on eboard next year, the leadership chair. I think it fits in with my major and minor quite well. Elections are on April 27, a little nerve wrecking but we’ll see what happens!

Also, I recently applied for an internship in Walt Disney world in Orlando, FL and I was accepted! wwoo hooo! However, I don’t think I’m going to take the opportunity. There are just more cons than pros to the experience. I would be gone for 7 months and I wouldn’t really be furthering my education here because the classes I would be enrolled in, I have already taken here at Oswego. So that means I would be a semester behind when I return. Also, I would miss out on my trip to Italy and Student Association. It also isn’t really fitting to my career choice. It’s just a confidence booster knowing that i was accepted into an extremely competitive internship 🙂 I can’t complain. Speaking of internships, I was also accepted into an internship in our Development office on campus. I’m very excited about it. I start in mid-May and will continue right up until I leave for Italy.

It seems as though I talk a lot about my extra curricular activities, you’re probably thinking does this girl ever go to class? Of course I do! I really enjoy my classes this semester. My management class has really got me thinking about what I want to do in the future and only solidifying my decision to look into West Virginia University even more. For my job at Maurices, I was recently asked if I wanted to start the MBA program, is a training program to become a store manager. I was completely honored when my manager mentioned it to me. I really enjoy my job there and the people I work with. The company is so different than most other retail stores. I eventually would like to work in the corporate office in Minnesota. I’ve got a little bit more research to do on that but I’m exticed.

I’ve got a lot going on lately and it’s starting to get a little bit scary. I’m applying for graduation next week. Like REALLY?!?! I have two semesters left and so many more things I want to do! I am still in a little bit of shock from it. I can’t believe it’s almost time for me to move on with my life from undergrad to graduate school. Wow, that’s kind of depressing?! Anyway, I have class in a half an hour and I’m going to grab something to eat quick.

Have a wonderful day:)