Awesome Past Week

Halfway already? Yep! This will be my 5^th week at CMT/MTV out of my 10 required weeks. I can already tell leaving will be bittersweet. Crazy. I’m even attached to the office building itself.

A good amount has happened since we last spoke. This past Wednesday was the CMT Music Awards show which the office has been working months and months to prepare for. It was really cool. I was able to attend the rehearsals for the show which meant I was up close and personal (well not technically – I didn’t “meet” celebrities) but was able to photograph many of the artists and meet the people that make the show happen (such as the producer who has worked on the MTV Awards).

Most interns were able to attend the awards show as normal guests or were able to be talent escorts! Because I'm in the website department, we were in the office putting stuff up as fast as possible.

Let me tell you. There is nothing more exciting than seeing your name in a by line. Whether it’s art, photography, editorial, etc. seeing your name is unbeatable and gives you the feeling of accomplishment. My photos have been published in two CMT photo galleries thus far (here and here). I was also privileged enough to work with artist’s publicists and other videographers and learn the process of getting photos and videos approved then published.

I learned I personally LOVE being backstage. Just wearing credentials was a great feeling. One woman (who was yes, quite intoxicated but nonetheless) asked me if I was a professional when she saw my camera. And my response was yes, I am (and as an intern, you really are). The jobs and opportunities internships provide are 100% legit, and that is why the experience is so important and why it’s imperative to act properly at all times in every way. Many employees here were previously interns.

This past weekend (Thurs-Sun) was also the CMA Music Festival, a huge deal in Nashville (200,000+ fans). A great thing about CMT (and I’m sure other companies) are there are many volunteer opportunities. Most of the interns were able to be talent escorts at the CMT Music Awards or work the CMT booth at Exhibit Hall (where artists sign autographs for fans). I recently volunteered to work at one of the big night concerts. It was great. We threw out about 600 shirts then watched the rest of the show.

Advice:

1. Take every volunteer opportunity you can (you never know who you can meet/work with that may not be in your department – always network).
2. If you ever find you don’t have much work to do, always ask if there is something you are able to do – whether you must reach out to other people, maybe even to other departments.
3. It's always nice to be in an office where someone enjoys to cook.
4. Make friends with ALL other interns. You never know where they may end up working!