FIRST INTERNSHIP -- ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012
As some of you know, this summer I completed my first internship. I had an absolutely wonderful time, don't get me wrong it was difficult at times but I enjoyed every minute. Everything in this internship was pretty much left us to you. Decisions were supposed to be made two weeks prior to the event, we were not notified until one week before. This was an easy task for me since I live very close to New Orleans but some were coming all the way from New York and had to come up with last minute housing arrangements and traveling methods. During our time we were expected to make it back and forth from teh Convention Center to the Superdome and parking passes were only given on a first come first serve basis. Many of us didn't have transportation or were not able to get a parking pass to both places. Some jobs were available to those who happened to be at the right place at the right time.
Through this experience I have learned a lot about the different aspects of how this industry will work, especially for those wanting to work in the entertainment industry. I attend the University of South Alabama a Predominately White Institute (PWI). Of course I believe in equality and equal opportunity but it is common knowledge that minorities must often work harder than our counter parts to get equal praise. Many of us are programed to work harder than "Jane" and "Bill". But what this internship also taught me not only do we have to work two times as hard as "Jane" and "Bill" but we must not forget working three times as hard as "Latonya" and "Dewayne". I was able to work some of the prestigious students of Howard University, a Historical Black College and/or University (HBCU). And let me tell you these guys are cut throat, its truly every man for himself in the work world and that is completely understood.
If you want something bad enough, you have to put yourself out there. In the case of a job, everyone is not going to look out for your best interest. Make good connections and hold on to them, keep in contact. Contact sheets were not handed out, we did not get a guide on "How to Be a Good Intern" you had to go out and grab this information for yourself!
On day three is when the real work started for us. From then on I worked mainly with the Special Events Planning team (Jovanca Maitland-Shelton and Alyssa Manning) and Public Relations team (Chloe Williams). I thank these women tremendously for really taking me under there wings for these fews days. I kept in contact with Jovanca and Chloe throughout my time at EMF 2012.
Jovanca picked me to assist in events throughout my time. I was only scheduled one day with her and from this day she granted me many other opportunities. My first job with the special event planning team was to stuff bags for all the VIP guest and sponsors that would be attending EMF 2012. Knowing people such as Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige and Trey Songz would be receiving these bags was a privilege in its own. On day two of working with this team, I was contacted earlier in the morning to report to a hotel to assist in completing these bags. We then were driven over to another venue to begin setting up for the sponsorship party. I was then also asked to assist in hosting this high class event. All the sponsors that assisted in making EMF 2012 the large event that it was came, also all the VIPs were invited also. The last job I had with this department was to assist in hosting the Gospel Brunch, this year Majorie Harvey was awarded with a Humanitarian Award for her work with her organization "Girls Who Run the World". It was great to be a part of such a memorable experience.
My job with Chloe Williams stretched far beyond my first task with this department. I was only scheduled a short 10a-4pm shift with the Public Relations department where I assisted at the Press Check-In at the convention center. Chloe stated her concerns that she didn't feel as if I was getting the entire experience from only that one shift so she invited me to come to the Superdome any and every night if I chose to in order to also assist there and see how a press room really works.
I wanted to give insight to my EMF 2012 internship and share some of the background of the things I was able to learn.
