Intern Report 3: Life Comes at You Fast

I can’t believe it’s already the end of week three of my internship with Weber Shandwick in beautiful downtown Chicago, IL. Price-is-right moment aside, words can’t describe the warp speed at which my life seems to be travelling right now. It feels like two weeks ago I was starting at OU, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to be leaving Small-town, USA and arriving at the gates of my educational edification. It then seems like last week that I was writing fake news stories and working with fellow Bobcats to make up completely fictional PR campaigns.

Instead, two weeks ago I was dealing with a campaign built around an individual had to be completely redone when that individual was let go from his position. Last week I was writing a month’s worth of social media copy and designing Twitter backgrounds for nationally and internationally known clients. And today I was brainstorming with some of the best and most creative minds in the industry for a campaign that hasn’t been written yet, but in all likelihood you will see or hear something about- if we do our jobs well, that is.

Please forgive the seemingly egocentric, almost-masturbatory  mini-nostalgia and understand it for what it truly represents: complete shock and awe that I’ve found myself in this position. And maybe it’s because I’m reading Outliers, Malcom Gladwell’s phenomenal account of those who truly excel and the way in which their families and circumstances assist them; or perhaps it’s the chat I had this afternoon from a friend and mentor looking out for my best interest; but whatever the reason, I want to take the moment to honor and truly thank those who have helped me reach this point.

For fear of the trap into which so many flustered Hollywood producers and rap artists have fallen in the past, my thanks are of a more general nature. To those who continue to give me the love and support that everyone needs, know that you give me the strength to face any challenge with the knowledge that no matter what, I’ll find a way- I just know I might have to get creative to find it. To those who have helped me network and make the connections necessary to reach this point, helped shown me which doors to open and allowed me to viciously and unabashedly take advantage of your friendships and colleagues, my only hope is to be able to reciprocate in full. To those who have inspired me to pursue social media and given me the strength and motivation to continue to learn more, I will never be able to repay you directly. Instead, I plan to pay it forward. Starting now, actually.

For any who may be interested and happen upon this post before Wednesday, May 12 at 9 pm EST, 8pm C, I, along with at least several of my colleagues at #WSCHI*, will be hosting the first #InternNET chat. We will be answering questions any aspiring interns may have from the perspective of those currently living the dream, as well as providing an excellent NETworking opportunity (see what I did there?). Remember, today’s interns are tomorrows CEOs.

Though the focus will initially be primarily upon those in the PR sphere, I am actively seeking and completely open to contributions from any and all participants from diverse backgrounds and fields of study. I will have a post nearer the date to explain guidelines and format, but please save the date/time if it’s of any interest. I will be compiling and posting the results the next day a la #JournChat for those unable to participate.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it- let’s get the weekend started.

*Legal/covering-my-ass disclaimer: any and all views, opinions and ideas expressed before, during, after or about #InternNET from said #WSChi do not necessarily reflect those of our employer, nor do we make any claim that our experiences are typical, to be expected or able to be recreated. This is an educational discussion to help provide insight, guidance and perspective through dialogue and the free exchange of ideas between individuals, representing themselves as such, and not meant to be indicative of anything. That should do it.