" "
Yep it's Friday, and my first week DONE, one down, 13 to go . . .
Today was an interesting day as I got unleashed with my "juicy" projects - writing stories for Buckner Today and the site. With my supervisor getting ready to leave to go overseas, I caught myself in her office receiving some of my first BIG projects. To really know what this company is about sometimes you need a hands-on approach and with stories in diffent communities in the Greater Dallas, Austin area, that is definitely a start.
From the community of Oak Cliff, to the town of Irving, to the hill country of Burnet, Texas it seemed like it was definitely a step in teh right direction. After I was given my contacts I figured to start right away. Through my new official email I was able to condone myself very professional-like and in a manner to let the contacts actually know who I am and where I work.
After lunch, me and a few others were introduced to another aspect of Buckner, that I don't get to se emuch the Foundation. With any successful company one depends on the other and vice versa to work as a well-oiled machine and was lucky to see this side. From analysts, advisors and more, it was definitely good to see another aspect of the company that I had not been exposed to.
About the time I get back, sure enough I had already recieved some emails, with not only dates, and answers to my questions, but a sense of welcome to the company. It definitely felt good and just made me want to work THAT much harder.
Overall, this week was good. Finally able to put name to faces and can get around Dallas like a pro, ok maybe not a pro, but yuo get the idea. With taks and big projects in front of me, it's really time next week to show them what I'm all about. We'll soon find out if they like it . . . Stay Tuned. The INTERN
ROCK the Desert
A free lunch, viewing videos all day while learning about a valuable program, today was not a bad day at all.
I have quickly began to slowly but surely get back into my regular sleeping hours as I had begun to have random sleeping patterns, which for any job, could be diastrous. With tasks ahead of me I began to continue to work on my first media list, and what city to start with than the city I have come to know best throughout my life, San Antonio. From radio stations, newspapers, community newspapers, to TV stations, after doing media lists, you have a greater appreciation for how many news sources a citizen in San Antonio is lucky to have.
From San Antonio I began to branch out to those nearby towns, whether Bulverde, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Leon Valley, SEGUIN, to many others. I began to realize how many news sources there truly is, as I began to hear some news sources, that being a native San Antonian, I had never heard of.
Later this day I would be introduced to the many clients and people that come by the office, as I soon learned of a term that brought smiles from one ear to another . . . corporate lunch. In the building that we are located in, we are lucky enough to have a very impressive food court, with places for every type of person. From value meal places such as McDonalds, to mellow java places such as the Corner Deli, to places for the more upscale such as J Pepe's there was a place for everyone.
After a very nice lunch, I found myself working on copy for one of the events coming up, known as "Rock the Desert." Watching all these videos the way I do yu can't help but to learn, be enlightened, and see how a concert for youth could have a greater purpose behind it, shoes for orphans. This concert, which features some very known pop bands, meet in the deserts of Texas to put on a concert.
Overall, today was another day, another notch on my belt to getting my hands dirty and really catch myself feeling like a contributor, I have a feeling with some projects mentioned at lunch, that I might be contributing, sooner than we thing. . . . . STAY TUNED . . . . . THE INTERN
I have quickly began to slowly but surely get back into my regular sleeping hours as I had begun to have random sleeping patterns, which for any job, could be diastrous. With tasks ahead of me I began to continue to work on my first media list, and what city to start with than the city I have come to know best throughout my life, San Antonio. From radio stations, newspapers, community newspapers, to TV stations, after doing media lists, you have a greater appreciation for how many news sources a citizen in San Antonio is lucky to have.
From San Antonio I began to branch out to those nearby towns, whether Bulverde, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Leon Valley, SEGUIN, to many others. I began to realize how many news sources there truly is, as I began to hear some news sources, that being a native San Antonian, I had never heard of.
Later this day I would be introduced to the many clients and people that come by the office, as I soon learned of a term that brought smiles from one ear to another . . . corporate lunch. In the building that we are located in, we are lucky enough to have a very impressive food court, with places for every type of person. From value meal places such as McDonalds, to mellow java places such as the Corner Deli, to places for the more upscale such as J Pepe's there was a place for everyone.
After a very nice lunch, I found myself working on copy for one of the events coming up, known as "Rock the Desert." Watching all these videos the way I do yu can't help but to learn, be enlightened, and see how a concert for youth could have a greater purpose behind it, shoes for orphans. This concert, which features some very known pop bands, meet in the deserts of Texas to put on a concert.
Overall, today was another day, another notch on my belt to getting my hands dirty and really catch myself feeling like a contributor, I have a feeling with some projects mentioned at lunch, that I might be contributing, sooner than we thing. . . . . STAY TUNED . . . . . THE INTERN
A SUPER Day
Today was not a bad day at all, could be added to the list as a super day, if you will.
Now with me knowing everybody, I was able to start doing assignments and start the wheels rolling on this internship. One of my first assignments consisted of doing "copy" for numerous projects. "Copy" is defined as . . . so with that definition in mind I was able to start performing the tasks. What I thought was very unique and strong-willed about this group is it's Christian morals, which is something that sadly, not every company has. There are hundreds of social media sites out there but to use a Christian based site just showed it's integrity of socializing in a secure environment. This site, which is known to many as Tangle, to me is a safe-form of You-Tube, which can be very beneficial in keeping the image of a company.
Another thing that I found myself doing today was helping out with portions of the Web Site. Recently the Web Site got a "make-over" and has become very user-friendly to the computer illiterate and those of the opposite character. There were numerous programs listed on the site that weren't full described with a little "blurb" about each, and that is where I came in to the rescue.
After lunch I caught myself doing an assignment of updating media lists, which is vital to do, especially in today's evolving media spectrum. From cities, to towns, just finding all the newspaper, radio and TV stations I could. With so many stations I chose a system of doing a major city a week, which included the surrounding towns of each city. Figured, if I got that done, plus with the coming and going of assignments, it would give me the flexibility that I needed.
One thing that ithought was unique today was through a simple lunch how I am starting to learn different personalities in the office. I would never imagaine that the same college world I've been used to for almost 4 years now could relate so much, as far as different personalities, groups, work ethics and so much more. Definitely look forward to what else I will learn in the days ahead . . . until then . . . Stay TUNED . . . . . . . - THE INTERN
Now with me knowing everybody, I was able to start doing assignments and start the wheels rolling on this internship. One of my first assignments consisted of doing "copy" for numerous projects. "Copy" is defined as . . . so with that definition in mind I was able to start performing the tasks. What I thought was very unique and strong-willed about this group is it's Christian morals, which is something that sadly, not every company has. There are hundreds of social media sites out there but to use a Christian based site just showed it's integrity of socializing in a secure environment. This site, which is known to many as Tangle, to me is a safe-form of You-Tube, which can be very beneficial in keeping the image of a company.
Another thing that I found myself doing today was helping out with portions of the Web Site. Recently the Web Site got a "make-over" and has become very user-friendly to the computer illiterate and those of the opposite character. There were numerous programs listed on the site that weren't full described with a little "blurb" about each, and that is where I came in to the rescue.
After lunch I caught myself doing an assignment of updating media lists, which is vital to do, especially in today's evolving media spectrum. From cities, to towns, just finding all the newspaper, radio and TV stations I could. With so many stations I chose a system of doing a major city a week, which included the surrounding towns of each city. Figured, if I got that done, plus with the coming and going of assignments, it would give me the flexibility that I needed.
One thing that ithought was unique today was through a simple lunch how I am starting to learn different personalities in the office. I would never imagaine that the same college world I've been used to for almost 4 years now could relate so much, as far as different personalities, groups, work ethics and so much more. Definitely look forward to what else I will learn in the days ahead . . . until then . . . Stay TUNED . . . . . . . - THE INTERN
The First Day . . .
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression" -Anonymous
(Photo Courtesy of: NJ.com)
From an early start, you remember certain firsts in your life, whether your first day to school, your first time road trip, your first time behind the wheel, your first college class, well May 26 marked another "first" . . . my first glimpse of corporate life.
When you think of an office setting, I think of a re-run of "The Office," despite the many stereotypes, I was very impressed on the first day . . . really.
With my alarm clock going off at 5:30 (yes, in the morning) I was awakened and excited for the day in front of me. Waking up at the same time as my cousin-in-law, he made sure to tell me the shortcuts and highways to take, especially during the "morning rush" in Dallas. I figured being from San Antonio, that traffic here can't be as bad as the family had made it seem the night before, but later down Hwy. 67, I find myself a part of the infamous traffic jam .
One thing about being in a traffic jam early is the fact that the jam happens towards the end of your destination anyway, so minutes later I was free from the congestion and parked in my designated parking garage (impressive mural I might add). Floor 20 here I come!!!
The time was about 7ish, and believe it or not the main frame of the office had still not been unlocked yet, luckily for me, I was met by a man who not only knew I was "the intern" but would be the man that I would soon learn would be my boss's boss. We talk for a while and he asks me if I was ready to see my space, I figured a good ol' cubicle was waiting for me, but found out there was no cubible with my name on it . . . there was an office .
Soon after given the space and given few directions on how to register and such, people began to walk in as I would soon be introduced around that day. The people were very friendly as the office gave off a great feeling of welcome, humor, and business all at the same time. Whether it was meeting the kind secretary, my co-workers, to my actual boss, it definitely left me with a sense that this was the "fit" for me.
Soon I would be introduced office-to-office meeting all the people that make the corporate world of Buckner what it is today. From meeting people from the donor side of Buckner, to meeting the very talented CEO of Buckner International himself, Dr. Kenneth Hall , definitely felt the happiness and learned alot about the company during the touring process.
Soon afterwards, not only was I taken out to lunch, I was given my really big projects of the summer, the protocol, the expectations, as well as the workings behind the publication that I would soon work with, the Buckner Today . I was so overwhelmed with information by 4 p.m. that I didn't know where to begin when friends, family and loved ones asked how the first day went. I was able to tell them enough for now, but look forward to the many stories I get to tell them in the future. But until then . . . . . . . STAY TUNED ;)
-------THE INTERN
So what is the 411???
"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." -James 1:27
So today started out to be another normal day of the first week . . . started that is. Over the months leading up to this great opportunity I got smart for once and began to research what this company was about . . . and from the great reputation I had heard before the research was in sync to that.
According to the Web site, Buckner (from a PR standpoint) is "a global Christian ministry that seeks justice for ‘the least of these’ by providing care and resources for orphans and at-risk children in the United States and more than 50 countries around the world. Through international orphanage support, humanitarian aid, short-term missions, foster care and adoption, Buckner has made a lasting impact in some of the world’s most poverty-stricken and socially desperate countries." With a statement like that, what else more is there to say . . . . . . never mind :)
Well with any new place you need to learn a couple things here and there, some old some new, I have been lucky enough to get some help from some great people in my department to show this INTERN the ropes. With any journalist (well, the 20th century journalist anyways), one has to be multitalented to not only cover the story, but be able to shoot pictures, even video of the same event as well. Through a little "Photography 101," I was able to learn tricks of the trade from some of the elite in the company, and through techniques that were even to this experienced photographer, I felt like I could take on the world, well at least, the Dallas metroplex.
One thing I quickly learned is that internships are becoming more competitive year after year, so one must always be "sharp" and "efficient" to the needs of the place an intern would work at, same could be applied here. Today was the day that I was given not only my LIST of important projects, but given numerous assignments as my boss was on her way to an interesting couple of weeks overseas.
Now with the proper training, the assignments, the tools that would help me be successful, I feel this was my time to shine, in a couple of days my work will speak on it's own . . . . . . . . UNTIL NEXT TIME STAY TUNED.
------- THE INTERN
So today started out to be another normal day of the first week . . . started that is. Over the months leading up to this great opportunity I got smart for once and began to research what this company was about . . . and from the great reputation I had heard before the research was in sync to that.
According to the Web site, Buckner (from a PR standpoint) is "a global Christian ministry that seeks justice for ‘the least of these’ by providing care and resources for orphans and at-risk children in the United States and more than 50 countries around the world. Through international orphanage support, humanitarian aid, short-term missions, foster care and adoption, Buckner has made a lasting impact in some of the world’s most poverty-stricken and socially desperate countries." With a statement like that, what else more is there to say . . . . . . never mind :)
Well with any new place you need to learn a couple things here and there, some old some new, I have been lucky enough to get some help from some great people in my department to show this INTERN the ropes. With any journalist (well, the 20th century journalist anyways), one has to be multitalented to not only cover the story, but be able to shoot pictures, even video of the same event as well. Through a little "Photography 101," I was able to learn tricks of the trade from some of the elite in the company, and through techniques that were even to this experienced photographer, I felt like I could take on the world, well at least, the Dallas metroplex.
One thing I quickly learned is that internships are becoming more competitive year after year, so one must always be "sharp" and "efficient" to the needs of the place an intern would work at, same could be applied here. Today was the day that I was given not only my LIST of important projects, but given numerous assignments as my boss was on her way to an interesting couple of weeks overseas.
Now with the proper training, the assignments, the tools that would help me be successful, I feel this was my time to shine, in a couple of days my work will speak on it's own . . . . . . . . UNTIL NEXT TIME STAY TUNED.
------- THE INTERN
