For the Unconventional Intern
It was always my dream to move to New York City. The first time I took a vacation here 3 years ago, I remember flying over Manhattan and seeing the Statue of Liberty out the airplane window. It sounds so cheesy but I started to cry because I remember feeling like I was a part of something bigger now. My world was so small before (straight out of a small town in south Florida), and I always knew there was more out there.
Now I’m 24 years old (much older than the average intern!), just graduated from college, and hard at work 4 days a week at BlackBook Media headquarters. Unlike most of the other interns, I’m not here for school credit, living in dormitory style housing, and living off of Mom and Dad’s allotted allowance. No, no, no… if only. Right after I graduated from USF in Tampa, FL, I packed everything I could fit into two suitcases and bought a one way ticket to the most amazing, and scariest, city I have ever known. I had about $500 of graduation money in my bank account and one credit card which was almost maxed out. I completely accepted the fact that I’d be eating PB&J on crackers for the next few months.
So far, I’m doing ok. I work 4 days at BlackBook from 10:30-6 and about 5 days/week from 6-11 at a chain restaurant that I transferred to from my other location in Tampa. Yes, I go straight to work from work at least 3 days a week (mostly more). I LOVE my life here so far. I work hard and I play even harder. I’m not your average intern, and of course I wish I could go to every happy hour or Long Island getaway that others do, but I’m just trying to stay afloat and learn a whole lot in the process!
Now that you have a bit of a background, I have a few little pointers I’ve put together…. suggestions if you will, for the other non-typical (we’ll call them SUPER) prospective interns:
Craigslist:
Oh dear craigslist, how we hate to love thee. When I first started searching for places to exist (the word “live” would imply that I actually unpack my suitcases and spend more than 7 hours a day there, or even could stretch out without hitting walls on both sides) in NYC, I had no clue WHERE to live, just WHAT I could afford and WHO I could put up with as a roommate. This is a starting point. I found out the hard way that there is no such thing as planning when you move to the city. It seems like every listing is for immediate occupancy i.e. Come see the place today! Move in by tonight!. This was crazy, I thought anyway. I must have emailed 50 listings trying to find a decent place for under $800/month. I have to laugh about this now, I’ve found that “decent” and “$800/month” don’t even belong in the same sentence, but bearable serves as a close alternative.
My advice: Treat apt hunting like job hunting. Beef up your email and make yourself sound GREAT, even if you’re just pretty good. Don’t lie though, if you’re messy, SAY you’re messy… then add that you are an amazing cook. Watch out for weirdoes. I read so many listings that offered really cheap rent in exchange for daily foot massages and light housework… gross! And, be realistic about what you can afford. Always Google Map the location. ASK ANYONE you know that has been to NY about the neighborhood. Everyone knows someone who lives in the tri-state area. And finally, be SUPER persistent.
Office etiquette:
The first time you walk into that big city office can be SO scary! I wanted everyone to like me and offered a huge smile with a firm handshake to anyone around (creepy now that I think about it). Most people are really cool, but the ones who are not… like say, the ones who don’t even look up from their computer or take off their headphones when you approach them, don’t worry about. I’ve grown a thick skin over the last few weeks and I know I do a good job, that’s all that matters. So, here’s some dos and don’ts that I’ve learned thus far:
Do: Say hello and smile at everyone. I do anyway, and why not?
Do: Call people by their name, eventually they’ll know yours too.
Don’t: HOVER. Don’t stand at people’s desk while they are on the phone or in conversation with someone else. If you have a question, ask someone else or wait somewhere else.
Don’t: Leave your desk messy. I hate that! Be organized or at least give the appearance of it.
Do: Know your product. I read every article on our website everyday and study the BB Guides like it’s my survival manual.
That’s all for now but rest assure there will be more. And for additional insight into the life of an intern, I’d suggest subscribing to www.internmemo.com …and this blog of course.
B. Bek
