Life after School

It's been one of those nights where I have so much on my mind that I can't sleep. Even though school is over for the semester, I still have a lot of work and things that are going to affect my near future.

For example, tomorrow I'll be working in the Saginaw Spirit office all day. It'll be a taste of a true 8 hour day in the office. I'll be working on my game, which is themed "Bad Gift Exchange." I'll have to work hard finding a solution for the actual gift exchange, I'll have to make some flyers and promo pieces, I'll have to think of actual things that will go on during the game, I'll get my budget and so on and so forth. After all that, I get to write the news release for the Spirit's away game tomorrow night. (I'll make sure to post it later.)

Another example, I have an interview this Thursday for a public relations internship at Habitat for Humanity of Michigan in Lansing. I'm excited and nervous, as expected. The only real interview experience I've had is for Sam's Club. It's experience I suppose and it's not so bad talking about myself. Once I get going I get more comfortable. It seems like a good fit for me and I hope I make a good first impression. I know it'll be great experience for me if I can get it.

But all of this, in some way, when it's lumped together, will affect my future. My experience will affect what kind of job I get after graduation, which by the way is only a year and a half away. Most likely I will have to get a paid internship before I get an actual job. That seems to be the trend. That is, IF I find someone to hire me with the economy.

It'll affect where I live and what kind of apartment/house/whatever I can afford. And of course, we all like to keep this tucked away and not talk about it sometimes, but there are relationship committments. I have a suspicion that it won't be easy to move somewhere totally new without my best friends and boyfriend. I'll have to though. I will be a peice of fluff, floating wherever the wind blows me.

Then I realized that my time will not be restricted by semesters or sports. I will still have a strict schedule, but my time will be more free. It's not a bad thing and I'm not complaining. I just know there are about to be some major changes in my life. I'm not scared, but it's a lot to think about and I just had to write it down somewhere.

SONG OF THE DAY: Britney Spears - Circus
Today's Scripture: ”And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26)

*imastar*

Isn't Life Grand?

Have you ever been really interested in something or been really excited, but thought twice about it because there were a few things that could hold you back? Well I do all the time.

For example, I just got an e-mail about a public relations internship opportunity for Michigan's Adventure. The person they're looking for fits me almost to a "T" and I feel like I could complete the tasks they need the inten to do.

However, Muskegon is about three hours away from my hometown. I lived away from home last summer and was miserable. I don't know if I could do it again.

Another thing that is holding me back is the internship goes until September. Our soccer season starts at the beginning of August. I don't know if I would be able to do both.

So as I was thinking of all these negatives, I got an e-mail from Joel Osteen, who is a preacher, and his daily newsletter always gives a passage from the Bible. Well the passage today was absolutely perfect and told me exactly what I should do. (Read "Today's Scripture" below to find out what I'm going to do!)

SONG OF THE DAY: Rascal Flatts - The Day Before You
Today's Scripture: “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close” (Revelation 3:8)

*imastar*

New School Year

Today is the first official day of classes. I am not as excited as I have been in the past and it's just because I know how much work I have ahead of me. I will be VERY busy this semester. For one, soccer takes up a lot of my time. We have practices every morning until about 10:30a.m. and we travel for half of our games, meaning we leave Thursday afternoons and don't get back until Sunday night. It's a lot of doing homework on the bus and in the hotel while trying to rest after just playing a grueling 90 minute game. But hey, I love the life of a student-athlete. I wouldn't want it any other way.

But on top of all that this semester, not only am I taking two 400 level classes, but I am also a student-athlete on-call tutor and I recently got an internship with the Saginaw Spirit! I cannot begin to describe how excited I am for that. Their internship program is well-known as one of the best around and has been for the past seven years. It hasn't started yet, but it will soon. Orientation is Aug. 29th, which I unfortunately cannot make (we will be in Oklahoma playing the Sooners!!), but the "make-up" orientation should be soon after that. Hockey games start in September. My position is game day operations, but I will also be working a little in other types of positions as well.

So keep reading for updates on my internship and what I'm doing with that and how it's going. It will be awesome and hopefully I will have more information on that soon! I'll also be talking about my classes and what types of projects and assignments we have. That should be interesting as well. I have State and Local Government (I had to take it as a general education class...yuck!), Intro to Multimedia Design, Public Relations Writing, and Recreation Programming. As I've said before, I'm majoring in public relations and minoring in public affairs and events management. But I'll keep you posted on everything!

Song of the Day: Jack Johnson - Upside Down
Today's Scripture: “I will give you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you among a mighty throng” (Psalm 35:18)

*imastar*

More PR in NC

Like I said, I would do some more research on internships available in the great state of North Carolina. I came across a few that sound pretty interesting. They are smaller internships that would be great building blocks to a successful start in PR. Like I said, everyone has to start somewhere and I will take whatever I can get my hands on. It makes me excited, but at the same time so frusterated because I still have school left to finish in Michigan. Blah! But I can't just drop what I'm doing and frolic off to NC. Here's what I found....

1. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: "Public Relations/Communications Interns may gain experience in writing, media relations, marketing and publication design. Interns may participate in grant-writing projects; Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program and have completed four semesters of coursework. Graduate students may also apply. Experience and/or knowledge of field of internship. Grade point average of at least B. Enthusiasm/strong interest in learning about science education, environmental science, museum studies, research, etc."

2. North Carolina Special Olympics: "As a communications intern, you will gain experience in the following: Building relationships with the media, Writing, editing, proofing, Reporting/interviewing, Desktop publishing, Analytical thinking, Working with various computer software packages (Microsoft Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Access), Operating in a business environment,
Nonprofit management Duties/Responsibilities: Keep current and accurate media database, Maintain photo files, Maintain statewide news clippings, Write press releases as assigned, Assemble press kits, Attend state-level events and interact with the media as assigned, Write articles for monthly and quarterly newsletters as assigned, Write athlete and volunteer profiles/ Web spotlights, Assist in implementation of national public education campaign as assigned,
Other duties as assigned by the vice president of communications
Qualifications: Good oral and written communication skills, Good organizational and analytical skills; attention to detail, Strong interpersonal skills, Good editing skills and knowledge of language, grammar, punctuation and style

3. North Carolina Aquariums: "Special Events, Public Relations and Visitor Services provide opportunities for qualified interns to gain valuable experience in the unique aquarium setting. Supervisors with extensive experience in their respective fields oversee each of these departments. Interns in these areas are expected to be meticulous and professional. Creativity is a must. A four-month commitment is required, Qualified individuals are assigned to specific projects working along side experienced aquarium staff"

4. North Carolina MADD: "General Office Intern: General Description: This position will assist the State Office with various programming and fundraising efforts, as well as special event planning. Duties may include contacting volunteers and sponsors, as well as dissemination of program materials.
Marketing/Public Relations Intern: General Description : This position will assist the state offfice in coordinating our marketing and public relations programs. It will assist us in implementing our PR efforts through working with local and statewide media, schools, law enforcement and community partners. This position will also assist us in marketing our programs, core events, assisting with newsletter writing and production."

I really think the Special Olympics one sounds the most interesting and I would love to do something like that. I should really look into my school's Special Olympics program and see if I can land myself an internship there before heading out to my dream state.

SONG OF THE DAY: Relient K-Gibberish
Today's Scripture: "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land" (Isaiah 1:19).
*imastar*

PR in NC

It's ALWAYS been my dream to live in NORTH CAROLINA some day. I've been to Caro, NC before and I went in December and it was beautiful there. It was still in the 50s and 60s and there was blue sky and sun! I'm sick of the long winters and unpredictable, crappy weather in Michigan. I also heard that NC was the top state to find jobs in. That was a few years ago so I don't know if that's still true, but I don't really care. The economy there has to be better than Michigan's anyway. Michigan is going down the tubes.

Anyway, I started doing some research on some firms in North Carolina and I came across many!

• carolinapr - "one of the oldest, most established public relations and marketing communications firms operating in the Carolinas; a mid-sized agency; employees contribute their time and energy to further the success of more than 50 local, regional and national civic, and professional organizations"
• fama pr - "only PR firm named to the Boston Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" in 2007 and 2008; partners with technology companies to provide excellence in corporate communications and public relations; Our client base is broad, from stealth startups to publicly-traded companies"
• HiTechPR - "extensive expertise in business to business marketing communications for the electronics, telecommunications and computer industries has set us apart from other companies; multidimensional approach to marketing communications; wins five international public relations awards for the successful launch of Herzlia-Based Genoa Color"
• Hill & Knowlton Inc. - "leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients; part of WPP, one of the world's largest communications services groups
• Weber Shandwick Worldwide - "PRSA awarded Weber Shandwick three Silver Anvil Awards, two Silver Anvil Awards of Excellence, three Bronze Anvil Awards and six Bronze Anvil Awards of Commendation at the recent North American awards ceremony; a global public relations and communications leader; a unit of The Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), which is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies"

These are just some of the big time firms and agencies. These are the serious ones that you need lots of experience in PR to get a job there. However, everyone has to start somewhere and I believe I will make it there some day! I will move to North Carolina and happily work and live there. I don't know if it will be at one of those places, but I am going to do some more research and see if I can find internships there. I will keep updating on what I find.

In the mean time, if anyone has any suggestions or input or has anything to say about North Carolina in general, please do so! I appreciate any and all comments! I'm sure anything will help me out right now. :) Thanks!

SONG OF THE DAY: Britney Spears-Toxic

Today's Scripture: "Great peace have those who love Your law and nothing shall make them stumble" (Psalm 119:65).

*imastar*