Calling All Interns

I’m taking a stand.

I’m tired of feeling like I have to justify my position to misinformed skeptics.

I’m tired of having to break through misconceptions before people who I talk to about what I do get it.

No, I’m not running to fetch the boss the morning coffee or relegated to menial and pointless tasks because my uncle pulled some strings on my behalf.

Yes, I’m an intern, and I’m damn proud of it.

It’s been one month since I began my journey on the ‘ship at Weber Shandwick in Chicago and there are two thoughts that stand out above all:

1. Holy hell, it’s been a month?! Where have the last 4 1/2 weeks gone? AND
2. This is one of the most rewarding experiences of my young life, and I couldn’t be happier with the places my journey has taken me thus far.

I’m getting to do some incredible things for national brands, join in on brainstorms and, most important, I feel like a valued part of each of my teams. Even better, I’m getting paid to do it! My stance on paid vs. unpaid internships is another post for another day, but my point is this:

The internship has undergone a transformation. Gone are the days where ‘intern’ was synonymous with ‘pawn’. Particularly with the down economy (which is showing signs of recovery), more companies in more industries are using interns as a valued part of the team. Internships are now an integral stepping stone on the path of the young professional in many fields.

Remember, today’s interns are tomorrows CEOs, so take the steps you need to now to find, land, and OWN the internship that steer you in the right direction for your career. Need help? That’s my middle name. Or at least my favorite past time.

CALLING ALL INTERNS!

To help rebrand the rejuvenated internship, I’m asking interns from all walks to stand up and declare, “Yes, #ImAnIntern” on Wednesday, May 12 at 9pm EST/8 c, on Twitter. Let your voice be heard as eager students join the conversation to learn what it means to be an intern. Share the knowledge you’ve accrued in your experience and help be a part of building a better workforce for the future of your industry. If you’re less forward thinking, save yourself the pain of training them on EVERYTHING later when they eventually get hired.

CALLING ALL INTERN WANNABES!

Given the logical way in which we’re taught to read, I’m going to assume that you’ve read the immediately preceding paragraph (if not, it’s right there, go ahead- I’ll wait) and jump to the relevant bit: Send us your questions! What do you want to know about finding, securing and rocking an internship? Get the knowledge straight from the collective horse’s mouth. If you’ve got a great question you’re afraid you’ll lose, head to the new Brazen Careerist network “INTERNal Affairs” (http://brazencareerist.com/network/internalaffairs) and post your queries in advance.

And don’t forget to tell your friends- the more experiences we can draw from, the more everyone benefits.

I can’t wait to hear from you guys!

The Interwebs: and no, I’m not talking about Lolcats

As I begin pre-production and research on a very large, independent project (which I will discuss in great length once the time is right) I’ve been thinking more about the connections that I’ve made over the past four years and the ways in which that network has helped guide me to where I am. I alluded to this phenomenon in my last post when I gave my vague, sweeping gratitudes. But beyond the initial appreciation of how my network has helped me, I’ve been thinking about the broader principal of the way networking helps all of us. For the sake of being cheeky and hip, I’m calling it the interweb-no, I’m not talking about lolcats-an inter-connecting, intertwining web of social connections and interactions.

Think about your social network like a web: when you connect with someone new, that’s an individual thread of webbing. By itself, it’s not likely to catch any flies or even have the visibility to prevent an inadvertent passerby from walking right through and severing the tie. But that’s the beauty of the interweb- when you connect with someone, and I mean really connect, it’s not a linear two-way relationship. You are then granted access to all of the threads of webbing that they have established, greatly enhancing the utility of your web. But if you only have one thread connected to the rest of the web, your chances of catching the fly are again pretty slim.

What you will discover quickly, is that if you have made a connection with anyone outside of that initial thread, you’ve likely already given yourself a stronger place in the web. The whole concept of six degrees of separation is great on a global scale, but in specific industries it shrinks to maybe three. More likely it’s two. And just like a web, if you’re a point from which interlocking threads of like-minded individuals branch out, well my friend you’ll be living large on flies tonight.

Admittedly, the metaphor is not perfect. Whereas most spiderwebs are fairly flat, when built correctly your interweb is more like an interlocking sphere connected points, but you get the idea.

So think about how the things you say, or post, or take pictures of affect the rest of the web and your connection to it. Think about how a vibration on one end of the web informs the spider at the other that dinner has arrived. Now think about what the vibrations and signals you’re sending are saying to the other sides of your web because unlike a spider’s web, your interweb has a memory.

That said, go out and make the connections, build strength from multiple points of contacts and make the best vibration possible. If you do it well and in the right way, the tremors will travel through the web and you’ll be rewarded with a nice, juicy fly. If you make the wrong vibrations, you’re likely to end up on a joggers face with no dinner and no connections.

How do you use social networking to achieve your career and social goals? What advice do you have to help make the best vibrations?

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.

Intern Report 2: Living the Dream

I can honestly say that I’ve never been this broke in my life. I put myself through four years of college with minimal (but much appreciated) help, but have never approached the level of ‘I’m broke’ as that in which I currently sit. And I couldn’t be happier.

Sure, I don’t have enough money to buy food this week (I’ve got bread and peanut butter at work, and the Corner Bakery downstairs has jelly for free) and I’ve been wearing the same contact lenses since at least December (significantly longer than the two weeks they’re meant to be worn) but guess what: I’m living in the third biggest city in the United States, working for one of the world’s biggest and best PR agencies, getting to create the social media voice of national brands and working with some truly wonderful people. I’ve got 10 pounds I could afford to lose anyway, right?

The point of this post is this: once you find the dream, pursue it at any cost. Granted- there is a possibility that in several months time I will be completely contradicting this post. Destitute, heart broken, jaded, cast out on the street and damning everything I ever wrote about optimism and pursuing goals. But right now, despite the potentially bleak conditions in which I find myself, I know in my heart that it’s just a step toward something incredible. I’ve already gotten a taste of what’s possible in my first two weeks at Weber, and I can’t wait for the Social Media Club Chicago event at the end of this month. After years of reading about PR and Social Media, I’m on the front lines- helping to draft content, establish personality and think how to communicate strategically on behalf of nationwide brands. Pardon my supreme nerd-dom, but this is AWESOME!

So keep your fingers crossed that Weber and the angels of the Culture Club (the folks behind the wonderful things that give #WSCHI such a welcoming environment) decide to bring free food this week, or that a great uncle I’ve never met leaves me a sizeable fortune. Or at least that I find some motivation and crank out some freelance articles to get a couple bucks to buy a sandwich. If not, at least I’ll look a  little thinner for beach season.

I think our friends from Monty Python had it right.

Intern Report: The First Week

Throughout my four years in school, the concept of “What will you do afterward?” was one that haunted nearly every one of my classmates at Ohio University. It hung over heads like a perpetually impending thunderstorm of doom and depression that would unleash a torrential downpour of fury at the slightest trigger. The frantic scramble for an internship or job: the mass-mailings of 40 cover letters and resumes, hoping for one or maybe two responses; the distraught looks of rejection and the dejection that followed; the faint glimmer of hope from the agency where your cousin works, only to have the rug pulled from under your guardedly optimistic feet; it all seems like an exercise in futility with no real hope of progress. And then you get the call. That interview you were worried you didn’t highlight the right skills, didn’t show you knew enough about the company and were up against the SVP’s favorite niece, they call back.

“We feel like you would be a good fit with the company and would like to offer you the position. Can you start next month?” Shock, followed by irrepressible elation sets in as you realize you finally did it: you got the internship. Excitement and anticipation build as you wait for that first day to show them how wonderful you are, what an invaluable addition to the team you’ll undoubtedly become. But what can you really expect in your first day? Has your schooling and previous experience really prepared you for this endeavor?

After one week as an intern at Weber Shandwick in Chicago, I’ve already learned several valuable lessons about the transition from college to real life that might help introduce expectations to reality.

1) No one will hold your hand

After a few hours of orientation, meeting with your team members to get an overview on your account, an introduction to company procedures, guidelines and basic tutorial on how to use the copier, the training wheels come off. This is definitely a deep-end first kind of swimming lesson. My second day, I was asked to draft a month’s worth of social media updates for a client looking to establish a presence in social media. My second day! While this may seem scary at first, it’s actually a blessing. This is a great opportunity to dive in and make the most of your time and get the most out of your experience. You also don’t need to worry, because…

2) Your colleagues will help you

Nearly everyone has been in the same position that you’re in, and they understand. This does not give you carte blanche to ask for help every time a minor speed bump presents itself. Showing that you can be resourceful and a problem solver go along way to establish yourself in the office. But know that you can get by with a little help from your friends. Which brings me to number three.

3) Make friends

Not only are your fellow interns your co-workers who you’ll be working with for the duration of your internship, they’re also future colleagues. You don’t want to go into an interview and realize you’re sitting across from the former fellow-intern whose life you made hell for 15 weeks. Like the old children’s song goes: “Make new friends, but keep the old- one is silver and the other could be your boss or at least immediate supervisor in the next 3 to 7 years because the industry you work in is generally a pretty small community.” That song really takes me back. Speaking of nostalgia…

4) Make the most of your time

It’ll go by a lot quicker than you think, regardless the length of your stay. Make the most of every opportunity by really applying yourself fully to what you’re given. Don’t over-extend yourself and lose focus of those things that really matter to your specific internship.

Think back to your first week at a new job/school/internship: what lessons did you learn? What do you wish you had the chance to do over?

And so it begins

Have you ever had one of those days where it just felt like everything was lining up in your favor? Where you hit every green light, there’s someone holding the door for you wherever you’re headed and then you find $5? My first day of work as an intern with Weber Shandwick in Chicago (read: yesterday) did not start off as one of those days. It started with the night before.

I had every intention of being a responsible, intelligent human being and went to bed at a reasonable hour, knowing full well that I was to be at work the next morning at 8:30. Wanting to be impressive, I was going to show up at 8:00 to show that I was extra eager to begin. The clock struck 11 pm and I knew it was time to be hitting the hay. I jumped into my brand new bed, covered up, closed my eyes and quickly drifted off to slumberland. For about 45 minutes.

Though I’m not sure what it was that woke me up, there was no returning to the peace I had been enjoying. Aside from being extremely excited for my new job, my roommate (still a senior in college) and her friend were over talking and watching South Park. Since I was far too awake to attempt to sleep, I joined them for what I had planned to be about 15 minutes. Unfortunately for my chances at having an overwhelmingly good day, my quick 15 continued to evolve and grow larger like a magic sponge you get for a quarter in Taco Bells in bad neighborhoods. By the time I finally recommitted myself to the mattress, it was (much to my utter horror and total dismay) right around 6:00 am. To make matters worse, when my alarm went off 45 minutes later I, Dexter boy genius thought it wise to hit the snooze button (sorry Dad).

At 7:30 I awoke in terror. After the world’s fastest shower, I ran downstairs intending to grab the next Red Line (the train two blocks from my apartment for those not familiar with Chicago) but instead hopped on the bus that pulled up in front of my door. For those looking to move to Chicago, it’s always good to know the route before you hop on any CTA bus. In this case, I did not- I only knew I saw the words Michigan and Express and that was good enough for me in my panicked state.

I watched as time painstakingly crept forward at what felt like an alarming rate when we finally stopped picking up additional riders and got on the expressway. Not a complete idiot, I had the smarts to check my phone and see what stop would be best for me to depart the bus. Like a complete idiot, I checked the wrong bus. As my bus sailed past Michigan Avenue on Wacker, I vigorously pulled the “Please, for the love of God stop!” cable and jumped off the bus with such vigor I actually elicited a gasp from the driver.

Nervously, I checked my phone. My heart sunk. 8:17. I have since Google Maps searched how far I travelled (.8 Miles) but I knew how far I had to travel. Refusing to let my own irresponsible behavior get in my way, I grit my teeth and began running as hard as I could in dress shoes carrying my new hire paperwork. I pushed through the revolving door, panting, mashed the up button on the elevator, wiped the sweat from my brow as I pressed 10 and waited. I dare not check the time until I step out of the elevator, and as I do I breathe a sigh of relief. 8:29. I had made it, and was even (technically) early. Regaining my composure, I smiled and walked behind two other employees to start my new journey. The lovely and friendly lady behind the front desk informed me that she was to take my picture and that she’d call whoever it was that would be training me.

As I sat on the couch in the reception area, smiling at the thought of starting my career, a thought occurred to me: I hadn’t eaten, and it wasn’t likely soon I’d get the chance. At that precise moment, the receptionist turned to me and informed me that it would be about 20 minutes before my colleague would be joining me. “Orientation starts at 9:00.” It was as though the clouds had opened and a heavenly chorus descended upon me. I breathed another sigh of relief, smiled and went downstairs to the conveniently located Corner Bakery to have a breakfast sandwich.

After an initially rocky start, the day did a complete 180 and was great throughout. For fear of violating any agreement I’ve signed, I’m keeping the details from my day minimal, but suffice it to say that I am incredibly enthused by the way this new chapter of my life is unfurling. I’ve been assigned to three incredible accounts and have been fortunate enough to come in right at the beginning of two social media campaigns, allowing me the opportunity to be instrumental in their creation and implementation.

As Pandora blesses me with Boston’s “More than a feeling” I can truly say at this moment, in the words of the king of the trailer park’s t-shirt, “I’m livin’ the dream.”