Looking Back : The Internship Part 2

Thumbs



Thumbs Up:

• Proving to myself that I still have "it" : I take to heart what the fact that the bosslady said I have solid producing skills, and solid reporting skills. I also remember her saying, "You have presence. You look good, you have great teeth (W/E I def need braces), and a great smile." She also says my writing improvd a great deal over the summer.


• Branching out : When I consulted J she said to do it. She told me to take the internship to inherit risks, but to focus on opportunity. She insisted I show that I can rock and roll in a foreign situation.


• Reporting the news: Informing the public is a privilege as well as a responsibility. I enjoyed covering a variety of stories from the "See Your Soldier" videoconferencing between soldiers and their families, to the story about "Geocaching" a high tech treasure hunt.


• Meeting Some Incredible People: There were definitely times where I wore by Bmore city mean mug. There were times when I got downright hood. But there were times when I smiled. On the drive back at smiled at some of the funnier moments. I smiled at all the notes I found in my pockets following one on one note pacing with Mimi especially when we co-produced. I smiled at where I woke up the morning of my 21st birthday, there's a story for the never to be begotten grandkids. I smiled at how Wilkey cried when we prepared to say goodbye. She recounted me calling her "Milkey Way". I was inebriated and Wilkey must have given way to "Milkey Way". I smiled thinking of catching up with my cuddle buddy.

Thumbs Down

THESE ARE GENERAL ONES THAT OTHERS IN THE INDUSTRY NOT JUST INTERNS I THINK ARE GENERALLY PRETTY UPSET ABOUT.

Lack of Pay: It's so not cool I made probably less than 1/6 of what I made the last three summers interning. Why am I not paid an amount commensurate with the work that I do or given my skill level.

Being Away From Family and Friends: Having to sacrifice and forego milestones. It's the second summer I've missed the high school graduation of many of my babies. I miss one of the two best friend's college graduations. I missed a lot of graduation parties.

Ridiculous Stories: Sometimes we cover straight up ridiculous stories. Other times we cover stories where you just wonder what the prevalence is to the audience.

Lack of Diversity: 3 African-Americans in a newsroom of 15 or so unacceptable.

*TIE

Location: Another reason the lack of diversity was devastating. We were an hour away from a city of 200,000 or more. We were 3 hours away from a city of more than 500,000. Yay for small towns they sustain the American way of life, but umm for college students who need the benefit of having a social life, that is almost cruel and unusual punishment especially for a city boy.

Lack of Cupcakable or Boolovable Girls: Dating in the workplace aka dating co-workers is tacky, I think. Dating one of the only other African-Americans even more tacky. But if you're going to spend most of your time somewhere, there can atleast be some eye candy.