I took a gamble this semester, a gamble of whether I was ready for the "real world" that I'm gonna be thrust into after Sallie Mae is tired of paying my bills. So, I stalked professors until they'd give me the names of newspapers looking for interns. Sat down, crossed my fingers, prayed to every deity, and sent out a request for information for the Human Resources department at the Tribune. About 20 minutes later, a Mr. Victor Smith (I now realize that fate worked in my favor with the irony of a Victoria Thomas meeting a Victor Smith) responded that I should send my resume and cover letter in; honestly -- I didn't even type up either of those documents before inquiring about the position, yet made one in 20 minutes. Sent it off, after several days I received a call asking what kind of internship I'd be interested in.I'm sitting here flattered that the oldest black owned and published newspaper in the United States was interested in my material, I said -- whatever position you have, but I have plenty of web expertise -- and internship in that would work out really well.
Well, long story short, I was called in for an interview. Can we say NERVOUS. I had everything from "Do they employ lesbians?" to "I hope I don't wake up with a pimple in the middle of my face!" --- However, my confidence shot up to the top once I realized that what I was experiencing what I've been waiting for since I was seven... that'd I be going corporate and that I'd sitting across the conference table from the most influential people in African American publishing industry wanted me to join .... them.
Needless to say, I am now preparing for the FIRST largest career in my life. National Association of Black Journalist here I come!
