So yeah ABC 6 was cool, and I was so honored to have the position, but then NBC 4 (www.nbc4i.com) came along...and offered more. Now neither was paid, but as far as experience goes, NBC had the better package since their interns get to go out with reporters on shoots and help them with stories. While ABC and a lot of stations do not because it's a liability issue, and they don't want to be held responsible if something happens to an intern. I would basically be tending to the phones, typing information and staying in the newsroom all day, which wouldn't be a terrible thing since behind-the-scenes work is so crucial, but nothing beats the opportunity to actually go out and see how a news story is put together.

I knew long before that ABC was like this, but since they were the only people I had heard from...beggars couldn't be choosers. My Sunday School teacher would always tell me about this Ch.4 video guy who attends Church with us, but I never really thought too much about it since everybody knows somebody in the business, but the real question is can they actually help you get in? One day after Sunday School, my teacher said he was going to definitely contact the video guy for me since I never saw in him in Church. He forwarded my resume to him and before I know it, I got an email from Ch. 4 telling me to come in for an interview. All of this actually happened minutes before my Ch. 6 interview! So maybe I should have got the hint, but it is just amazing to see how contacts really play a major role in obtaining jobs.

I always knew of this, but really: No interview until someone on the inside suggests it??
I thought I did everything right, mailed all the application materials in early, fine tuned my cover letter and resume, and even printed them on the good manilla paper. So that just lets me know that even though these stations explicitly say don't call, I would do so anyway, just to get your name out there or know how the intern selection process is going because they will leave you hanging on a string. I emailed and called almost everyone for the Atlanta stations I applied for, and they did respond to that, but just to say that already selected their interns way in advance.

I had my interview for NBC yesterday, and it's right down the street from campus on Olentangy River Road. It was at 1:00pm after I had just taken my Hebrew midterm, and before I needed to start getting the bible study lesson together. Again, this interview wasn't really like an interview either, I just talked with the News assistant for a bit, she introduced me to the Director and gave me a tour and then asked when I could start. It really seemed like a nice place to work at and is Columbus's #2 station, while ABC is #3. So NBC, here I come!

Posted by TV_Hope at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I don't know if this happens to everyone before they approach their Senior year, but it seems like I have been asked to fill in so many leadership positions for next year. Just when I thought I was doing enough, more people come to me about how I should take things to another level next year.
I still want to lead bible study on Mondays, but people want me to be the Secretary for the Gospel Choir (aavgc.org), the Student Government Diversity Commitee director (www.usg.osu.edu/about_usg/usg_structure.aspx), the Arts Editor for The Lantern (www.thelantern.com/about), and still be Executive Producer for Buckeye TV all at the same time!

It's not that I don't want more responsibility, it's just that I don't want more responsibilities! It's already going to be my Senior year, not saying that this sholud be the perfect time to slack off and be infected with Senioritis, but I just didn't want to over over do it. I am an over-achiever, but everybody has their limits. I really have to focus in on the things that are most important for my future.
Just like when I wanted to be an RA (Resident Advisor) and even went through the entire application process my freshman year. But my mom told me not to do it since it is a time commitment, and she said, "Heather you didn't go to college to be somebody else' parent and watch after their kids, you went to be a journalist." So I ended up cutting that dream.

In the same way, yesterday, I thanked the people that nominated me for Choir Secretary, but I had to decline. I truly love the choir, have made the best friends in it, and still will be a part of it, but a Secretary has to take attendance and be present at all meetings and performances, and I know I won't be able to do that.

The current Diversity Director told me I should consider taking the position next year, but I don't know how much time that is going take. At least USG is so big that there would be more people to fill in for me, but I think they want somebody that's going to be USG'ed out, and I like to pick and choose what events I attend whereas they'll need a person with more commitment.

This Lantern Editor position has been a big decision since a lot of people are graduating and leaving, and this would be a great journalistic opportunity for me. But the biggest downside to this is that Editors have to be in The Lantern newsroom from 5:00-10:00pm Sunday-Thursday every single week! That means that all my other commitments would get cut. Now, it is a paid position and just like a real job, but I really don't think I can commit that kind of time during my last year.

I still have to apply to Graduate school, I could be on the Homecoming Court, and not to mention there are still many classes I have to take in order to graduate. So all these new positions are putting me in a tough position!

Posted by TV_Hope at 2:00 PM | Permalink

So I have been applying and sending resumes out to news stations here in Columbus and Atlanta for a while, and last week, I had an interview with ABC 6 News www.wsyx6.com and I got the position!
It's like even though I mailed in my information, I didn't get my breakthrough until I actually called the station and then the intern coordinator, Laura Tucker, said she did receive my cover letter and resume and would like for me to come in to talk to her about what I want to do at ABC for the summer.
This request really didn't sound like it would be an actual interview, she made it seem like it was just a talk so at first so I had no idea what to wear. Should I put on a full suit for this news conversation or wear a middle-ground khaki and button-up shirt type deal? I ended up going with the suit after my family kept telling me that I should show up to the station with my absolute best because after all TV News is all about what you see.

So I show up to the ABC 6 station right at 4:00pm for my interview when I didn't even leave my room until 3:46, and you know that is really pushing it with traffic and since I didn't know exactly where it was at. I brought my 2 sets of Mapquest directions (one with the shortest route and the other with the street way) and thankfully made it there on time. Of course I should have managed my time better, but it was like every Buckeye TV person was calling me for help all throughout the day so I had to help them to a degree and clearly lost track of time.
But it's so nice that The Ohio State campus is kind of in the center of everything and you can basically get anywhere important within 15 minutes on a good day.

Ms. Tucker was cool and inviting, and it basically wasn't an interview at all. She asked me some general questions about where I go to school and what year I was, and then I filled out a form, and she asked me what time I wanted to start this Summer. She took me on a tour of the station, gave me her card, and that was it.
Conveniently, one of my best friends is currently the ABC 6 intern so I got to talk to her for a bit while I was there.
Now, I've got my big chance, my foot in the door, and have my 1st internship ever!!!

Posted by TV_Hope at 1:44 AM | Permalink

I got to host "Acts Cafe" (an inspirational open mic night filled with poets, singers, instrumentalists, and spoken-word artists) this Friday in the Hale Center. I know the people who put the event on, and my friend just asked me to host one night. It was a fun yet frightening experience since a host has to keep the program moving right along and has to fill in sometimes and stall when things go wrong and ultimately try to make the crowd laugh and stay interested in the show.
I co-hosted "Acts Cafe" with my friend Terry who sat down in the end because he said I was talking too much. So basically I was a solo act since I tried to give good transitions from one act to another and give the audience a little information on who was coming up next. I didn't just want to read the next name off a paper and then sit down, I had to try and make conversation and keep people's attention.

It's neat to hear people say, "Heather, you'll have no problem hosting the show, you're a News anchor!" So that basically means I can never be scared when in actuality, I'm nervous everytime I've been in front of people. I just pray that I will be able to keep my composure and not start shaking. I've always been a quiet person and only come out of my shell when I'm comforatble around certain people or feel it's necessary to be more vocal.

So what's a shy person doing in Broadcast Journalism?
I think I'm representing all the quiet and reserved people all over and serving as an example that you can overcome your fear and stage fright and be fine in front of people. Of course it takes a lot of time and practice to build up confidence, but that's the joy of it. Sometimes you'll be great and comforatble and other times you'll flop and studder and you're face will turn red and you'll want to run in a closet and hide!
I'll have a great testimony to give one day to people who are just like me. It's not always as easy as it looks when you worry about how people will look at you and think about how fantastic and natural others are. I like to surprise myself and just go ahead and do it even if it's totally opposite of my personality! I can't turn down opportunities and shy away from the front because of fear, or I can just kiss news reporting good-bye and go work in someone's mail room.

So when people say, "Heather, you'll have no problem hosting the show, you're a News anchor!"
I just say, "You're right, I will have no problem." And even though I'm marching off with a false confidence, it's at least a step in the right direction.

Posted by TV_Hope at 11:08 PM | Permalink

Wow you can really tell when it is officially Spring on campus. OSU doesn't go by what the Calendar says since the 1st Day of Spring was definitely not March 20. Students flood the Oval with beach towels and lay out to tan, play frisbee and catch as well as just reading a book or socializing. It really looks like a beach out here with everyone in their swimsuits and shorts.

A lot of people say it is sooooo hard to focus when it is sooooo nice outside. That's why many schedule easier classes and take a lighter load in the Spring Quarter. I just take whatever class I think should be next for me, but it would seem wiser to take a tougher course in the Winter where you can devote more time to it since clearly there is no one laying out on the Oval lawn with a snowy 15 degrees!
With the nice weather, there of course are so many activities going on this quarter. You'll find yourself roaming the campus and going to Coldstone for ice cream or IntaJuice for a stellar smoothie when you should be headed to the library.

I just try to keep it moving, I'll stop real quick and chat with people on the Oval on my way to class, but I'm not one to lay out and bask in thr sun when there's work to be done. Maybe on a Saturday, I'll chill, but you've got to stay focused and on track in class because your Professors won't be swayed with the warm weather excuses!

Posted by TV_Hope at 1:42 PM | Permalink

It's my Birthday, and what a beautiful, sunny day it is! The only day it hasn't rained this week even though its 50 degrees. I had to take another Hebrew quiz this morning, but at least my Professor gives us the all the possible questions and verses to know beforehand. So even though I did not feel like rising at 8:00am to study, when I got out at 11:18, I had the rest of the day to myself!
Birthdays are so great, but all the calls, texts, and emails can get a little overwhelming! My mom and sister came up from Atlanta and took me and about 11 of my friends out to the Cheesecake Factory last night. I was so glad that many people could actually come celebrate with me when I just told them day before. Tonight, the family, some more friends and I went out to the Kobe Steakhouse (it's new right across from Easton Mall). It's like a Japanese Steakhouse or Benihana so they cooked the food right in front of us and did a great show.
Earlier today, a cook in the cafeteria, Buckeye Express, had baked me a big birthday cake with my name on it. So I definitely felt the love and happiness on my 21st.

Everyone always asks, "Oh it's your 21st birthday so you're gonna get drunk right?"
So wrong. Not only is that not my style, I can't take nice pictures plastered all over the floor! But really, I know I'm in College and that's the norm, but hanging with family and friends is enough for me.
Then they say, "But what's a 21st birthday without a drink!?"
It's just a birthday and another milestone in life. Now, I can get into about any establishment and am considered a real adult.
So that was my Big 2-1, having two days of fun!

My lovely Birthday cake with the monumental numbers

Here's all of us at our table at The Cheesecake Factory

Me and my Giver of Life

My sisters and I

My friends Sie'ara and Dakota and I

Also on my Birthday, my I wrote my first column for the paper about my "Color Weeks!" Here's the Lantern link: http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2008/04/02/Arts/Springtime.Calls.For.color.Week.Fashion-3297861.shtml

Posted by TV_Hope at 6:09 PM | Permalink