Ok, well at the present moment I am not an intern. But one day, not too long ago, I was one. I remember it at if it were yesterday ... :)
Applying for internships was an incredibly painstaking task for me. Having never made a resume prior to last spring, I started from scratch. I had to make myself sound good on paper, (which should come easily to me as a journalism major) but it is a lot harder than it seems. Creating a cover letter is the same deal: in one page let me brag about myself and tell you how I am so wonderful, smart, perfect, etc. I respect the formality of it all, but it is much different than turning in a homework assignment like I had been doing every year of my life since age four.
I applied to all the television news stations in town: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and even KPBS. I was really crossing my fingers for NBC. Channel 7 (KNSD) has always been my favorite news to watch, and growing up in San Diego, I've been watching Marty Levin on the news since I was a wee one. Not only was my own liking a factor, but I was impressed by their internship program. It is set up to be a learning experience, not an "intern get my coffee" type of internship. They require lots of paperwork (again, I liked the formality) and reading about it online gave me a good feeling that NBC's program was by far the most committed in teaching.
I was in the airport when I got the call. Jesse Garcia, the internship coordinator, told me the gradulatory message. I flipped. Me + NBC = REAL? Well, I'd have to get used to it because I started a month later.
Summer 2008: my first internship begins. Being in a working news room made me feel so tiny. I felt young, like everyone knew by looking at me that, "Yep, that's the new intern." But by the end of the first week, I got my groove, and was no longer insecure about being the "intern".
There could have been no one better to intern for than Ken Kramer. I was his intern for the "About San Diego" show. Ken is truly the most warm-hearted and entertaining person to work with, but more importantly, is a master of his craft. I learned so much about storytelling and writing from him, and he was so encouraging to me as a young, learning college student. On a typical day at NBC, I would schedule interviews, research stories, dub DVDs, log tapes, write the occassional intro or tag to one of Ken's pieces. At least twice a week, I'd get to go out with Ken and watch how a story develops from an idea to airing on the 4pm news. So cool! I also got to do my own package and a few stand-ups... all of which will contribute to my portfolio/reel someday soon!
I also got to work with Bob Hansen (Consumer Bob), Gene Cubbison, Pat Brown, and several other photographers. My instant friend through it all was Rand Levin, a photographer who worked side-by-side with Ken on "About San Diego". Rand is more than an editing guru and rap master, he taught me the other side of broadcast journalism, camera work and editing. He has a eye for aesthetic shots and watching him work gave me great insight on my own future projects.
My most favorite internship experience was helping the web crew on opening day at the Del Mar Race Track. The idea of being "press" was beyond cool. I got press passes, went in the press box, hung out in the live truck... it was a neat day. I was in charge of interviewing as many people with crazy hats as I could, taking their picture, and then uploading them on the NBC 7/39 website.
Being that I had to do that all day, I did a little experiment. I know I look young, and no one would give me the time of day if I was some nobody. So when I would approach these slightly intoxicated women with their obnoxious hats, I'd start off, "Hi, I’m with NBC 7/39. What a great hat you’ve got there! Can you tell me a bit about it? And do you mind if I take your picture?” I did like 30 mini interviews with these ridiculous women. Then came the experiment. Sometimes I switched my phrase around and asked for the photo first… and they think, sure. I don’t care if this girl takes my picture. But then they learn I’m with NBC, and I have the power to give them “fame” on TV. They perked up at those 3 little letters… N-B-C.
And so do I. I'm hoping to return next semester as a writing and producing intern. Yes, I am tossing myself into another profit-less internship. I'm just hoping what comes from it will be better than the money I'd make in one semester.
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