06.05.08

Internships, internships, internships: the low down of what I’m doing down in Texas

Posted in PRSA News at 10:22 am by Caroline Matthews

I’m in the middle of my third week as graphics intern for the Houston Astros Baseball Club, and I hate to brag, but I’m going to brag… it’s been the best experience EVER. Not only do I get VIP paid parking in the Diamond Club lot, I get to wear this spiffy Astros badge around on game days that makes me feel like all the fans look at me thinking “Who’s that girl!?” Never have I shopped for business clothes before, worn three inch high heels (now I’m a daunting 6’2’’) or started bright an early at 8:30 a.m. every morning. “Welcome to the real world,” my mom tells me when I come home at about 6:30 on most nights. Well hello, real world. I like you! I look at you guys and just have no idea how you do it! You are super parents with stellar jobs— I can only hope to be like you all!

My internship isn’t anything PR related, but I’m tucked in with the marketing department so I’m very connected me will all aspects of baseball image and promotion. From creating scouting brochures to stadium signage and promo design (10,000 children will be carrying around MY back to school binder in August! WOWEE!) it has been a whirl wind experience. Why? THEY ARE LETTING ME DO SO MUCH IT’S OBSCENE! (Sorry for all the capital letters, I’m just trying to emphasize my ridiculous excitement and love for all the work I’ve been doing!)

I’d like to take this opportunity to share some insight as a current intern. So if you yourself have an intern sitting in the cubicle down the call, here’s some advice:

1. We don’t mind being called interns or referred to as one. We don’t even mind getting you coffee (as long as we get some too!) Just make sure that everyday we have some sort of challenge. Avoiding monotony is crucial.
2. Make us feel wanted within your department or office. You hired us, use us!
3. Really try to get to know us. We aren’t sure how friendly co-worker relations are, so help us out and set an example.
4. Guide us by example. Show us how you want us to dress and act by your own personal actions. It’s one thing to be handed a dress code guideline on paper, and it’s another to show us what you think is professional and smart for your office.

And if you don’t have an intern, GET ONE! It’s not too late, there are plenty of students who would LOVE to work for you. Make some phone calls and get started.
Internship Coordinator at Elon University: Maggie Mullikin at (336) 278-6336 or mmullikin@elon.edu
The Career Counselor at UNG-G: (336) 334-5454
UNC Chapel Hill’s Career Services: (919) 962-6507 or e-mail them at ucs@unc.edu

Best of luck to you and your endeavours!

06.02.08

Unplugged, schm-unplugged.

Posted in PRSA News at 4:05 pm by Tamara McLendon

I saw an episode of a reality show about surviving in the wilderness of Alaska last night. It was really interesting for the first few minutes, with bears, glaciers and other dangers I like to watch from the comfort of my living room. And then one of the guys — a PDA and laptop junkie — said, “It’ll be interesting to see how I unplug.”

It completely ruined the show for me, and I realized then that the verb “unplug” has not only become cliche, but it’s also been given new meaning. Yes, it can mean simply to detach from electronics and communications devices, but people who say that they’re going to “unplug” are also saying that they want us to sympathize with their predicament, while simulteneously being jealous of their importance and gadgetry.

And even as I write this, I’m realizing that I’m one of those people, not so much with the gadgets, but with the complaining. So it’s time to move on. My phone is no longer my ball-and-chain. I will not only leave it at home when I go to the river this weekend, but I won’t even tell anyone I did it. Except you. So don’t tell anyone.