Amarillo to Santa Monica

Well the time has come. The trunk is full, and I’m leaving tomorrow morning to head  out to Santa Monica, CA for an internship opportunity. I couldn’t be more excited for this new opportunity and have been looking forward to a new experience for quite some time. 

I’m also scared. 

Four years ago I took a leap to WT and found the most amazing people at the most amazing school (see above). I fell in love with the area. I grew up here. Discovered more about myself than I ever thought was possible. Traveled abroad, and found some passions that I didn’t know existed. 

I’m scared. 

I’ll be leaving behind all of my friends who have become my family. The memories we have made will always remain. From the first ‘Happy Birthday’ at Buff Branding, to the winking at a friend during their presentation, and rolling my eyes at another that would state they were going to be “the next Katie Couric” the first time we met. It’s been a ride. 

I’m excited. 

I’m ready for a new challenge and ready to go out into a real world setting and develop the skills that college has left me with. From the panhandle to the beach, it’s where I’m headed. Moving forward in life can be hard. I know I’m ready to tackle any challenge that comes my way. 

So if you keep up with my blog, expect to see more California based posts and more advertising world things. See you again someday Texas. 

Welcome to RPA

                               

As I was waiting in line at Dollar General with my milk and laundry bag (classy, I know) my phone rang with a 310 area code - Santa Monica. I picked up the phone, crawled to the back of the store and was informed that I’ve been offered a social media internship position with Rubin Postaer & Associates (RPA) - whose clients include Honda, Lay-Z-Boy, Farmer’s Insurance and many more. 

I was so excited! Of course I’m going. 

This has been an intense process to say the least. I heard about RPA from my research with NSAC and then from there to Twitter. When I say the posting for summer internships I applied and made it through to the second round after submitting a resume. Second round had several options, I chose to tweet twelve things that reflected myself and my interests. I would take screenshots and use the hashtag “#rpasummerinternship” further limiting my creativity. 

Regardless, I made it to the third round which was a phone screen call. I was very nervous for this one, but forged ahead and came out successful. The final round was a Skype interview in which I chatted with the social media team and was asked just about everything under the sun, from my experience to my own thoughts on social media and where it’s going. 

I’m honored to have been selected as a social media and summer intern for RPA. I now look at Honda cars on the road or see Farmer’s Insurance commercials on TV and think - “Man, really soon I’ll be working for that.” 

It is very bittersweet. My family and friends don’t want to see me move across the country and are worried for my well being. I will be sad as well to leave them. I don’t think it still has all fully hit me, but when it does I will be very torn. Looking forward and a change like this is a hard thing to do, but nonetheless I’m still excited to have a great opportunity and advance using my degree.  

Thankful

In the time I could have had a baby, I have been interning with The Amarillo Bulls Hockey team competing to become The Ultimate Sports Intern. I’m happy to say that the goal that I set out to win, has come true. 

Starting off I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I mean I’m not a sports guy. I don’t really have a team much less know the lingo that gets thrown around. I know the jist of things, but for the most part I’m not one to sit in front of the TV and yell for my favorite football team running down the field. A part of me has changed when it comes to this aspect of my life. As a part of the Bulls’ staff, I root and cheer for our team (even when they play against my hometown…shhh don’t say anything). 

Someone awhile back said that doesn’t sound like a good internship, you are worried about being eliminated rather than learning what you can. I disagree. I had to learn things about sports marketing, and fast. The things the staff told me to improve, I had to do in a quick manner which expedited the process of the experience and made me learn things quicker and made them stay. 

I would like to thank all of my family and friends who have kept with me while at this internship. The memories I have made with the staff, players, and fans will stay with me. I can’t wait to see the team rise to the top during playoffs and bring home a championship!  

The final countdown

Yeah it’s official. I’m one of the final two people competing for The Ultimate Sports Internship with The Amarillo Bulls! That means I’m guaranteed at least $2,000 with a chance of winning $5,000 (first place gets that). 

It’s been a long road coming. From day one I ‘aligned” myself with Julia, another one of the interns, we both said that we would always have each others backs and we’ve become best friends over the course of this internship. She’s pushed me through and I’ve done the same for her. 

Our first challenge was to hand out vouchers and the team that gave away the most won, well we lost that challenge and looked to throw off the weakest member of our team - Roderick. As the internship continued, we noticed Michael stepping up his game and was always in the office - to be honest I was worried that he would win the whole thing. Then suddenly he announced he had to drop out and move away . Our week turned a little brighter then. 

The final five became a little tricky. We knew that the few remaining members had their skills and we had to somehow beat them at their own game. Working together Julia and myself highlighted our strengths, worked on our weaknesses and formed an ‘alliance’ (okay maybe I’ve watched one too many reality TV shows) that pushed us through to the final three. 

Last night’s elimination was the hardest by far. We knew that the person leaving would have worked the longest without any sort of monetary compensation for their time here. I knew coming in that I hadn’t made a group sale this go around, and the other two had. Yeah, I was nervous. 

In my interview I highlighted what I brought to the table: social media, video editing/shooting, organization. What I was asked was “What season ticket holders do you know? Who do you interact with?” I paused. I can name two or three. I interact with some online. I know faces, but not necessarily names. I knew I was in trouble. I reassured them that I would step up my game on this avenue, come into the office more, and stay until playoffs were over. 

I left the room not feeling very good about it at all. I thought I was gone. They called us back into the room. Said that the person leaving isn’t a reflection of what they have done - we all have our strengths, but a reflection of what they need as the season finishes out. It was the closest vote they had 3-2. They announced who was being eliminated and Julia and myself left the room. We were both safe. 

I was relieved. I could breathe. I was happy. I had made it. The plan and goal that was set from day one: an all out battle for the end with myself and Julia. I feel bad for Savannah who was eliminated. She really has great qualities about herself. I’ve got my work cut out for me as I know the 3-2 vote came down to her and myself. 

Said and done

This past Tuesday I finished my first internship ever with Nobox Creative. It was a very bittersweet feeling to leave there knowing that I wasn’t going to be walking into the finely decorated office with my own desk and working with social media for the clients they have. I know I’ve mentioned the importance of interning and the cool projects I have done with Nobox, but it’s been way more than that. 

I’ve made real world contacts in a field that I want to head into - media. I’ve learned so much about social media and the impacts it can have on a company, it really can make or break a brand. I’ve found out how an office place works and what all goes into every aspect of an ad agency. 

My time spent at Nobox will be greatly missed, but the information I’ve learned, not only about myself, but about the advertising and media world altogether will be taken with me. I’ve discovered that I have a witty writing style and that I can harness that when it comes to copy writing. 

It is always sad to say goodbye, but I also know that I will be rooting for Nobox whenever I see their ads or the team out and about. It has always been stressed to us, whether that be at conventions or by our elders, to intern intern intern. I never fully understood why or what exactly that meant until I did so. So thanks to the Nobox team and all that they have done. 

Tomorrow

March 8, 2011: 

I leave tomorrow. This is intense. I’m filled with excitement, nerves and stress. This weekend at the 5k, Paprika and I met a women who has shelters in Cambodia for human trafficking, so we might go to those! I ran about a 22:00 5k which is good for not having been in shape. 

I haven’t even packed and it’s almost midnight. I still have a midterm to study for. I’ve been having issued with capturing footage from the deck with the tape. It shows up as digital tears, but Wasabi said they had the same problem with Africa and had to capture from the camera. 

These past two days have been busy with finishing last minute assignments before I leave. 

Yesterday, I found out that I got the internship at NoBox Creative! I’m super pumped to be working for an ad agency and doing social media things as well. Anyway, I’ve got to study! I’m super pumped for tomorrow!

P.S. Our flight leaves at 7pm from Amarillo. Meeting there at 5pm; Pepper is driving me. 

Getting Close

March 4, 2011: 

Well it is decided that Wasabi is the one coming on the trip with us to help shooting the documentary. I’m pretty excited to be working with someone that has been there before and can help overall. 

5 days until we leave. Holy moly 5 days! I can count that on my hand. Today, I went to Target and Academy and bought supplies for the trip. I bought a messenger bag from Academy to hold my stuff because the camera is going on my back like a backpack. At Target I bought a case for my toiletries, a water bottle with a water filter and some sunscreen (SPF 110+!). Pepper bought me a neck pillow and a replacement on the water filter for my bottle. That was really nice of Pepper, and I’m thankful that they have been around.

Tonight we had our first Kruesa (means family in the Cambodian language) meeting outside of class at Thyme’s house. The house was pretty nice! It was fun to all get together and meet even though not everyone could attend. Thyme cooked hamburgers, turkey burgers and hot dogs for everyone. We had a competition who could name the four states that have capitals that start with the same letter as the state they are in. Tarragon won that contest with Hawaii, Honolulu; Dover, Delaware; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Indianapolis, Indiana. Tarragon won a I <3 Cambodia shirt. 

Anyway, I got an e-mail during dinner that was from NoBox Creative about a social media internship that I applied for and I have an interview sometime soon with them! I’m excited for my first internship!

Tomorrow morning I’m going to run in a 5k to benefit human trafficking victims and I’m excited. I’m going to loose sleep, but it’s for a good cause! 

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