A Sweet Ending to my Productive Summer

The end is approaching ...my summer months in Miami will be a past memory in exactly three days.

Every summer ends with a sad face and a great tan.
It's always the same. My way back up to Gainesville gives me time to reflect on how fruitful my summer was. I consider traveling plans, outings in the city, relationships, beach days and career-oriented accomplishments before deciding if my summer counted.

This year, summer was exceptionally magnificent. It probably has to do with the series of unexpected events that i came across. I had this whole summer planned, as i do with most things. Yet, everything worked out discordantly.
On a professional level, it worked out perfectly. Let's be honest here, being able to answer questions when asked about what you're are doing is the best part about having a job. The conversation usually goes:

Friend/Relative/Stranger: So what have you been up to this summer?

Me: Well, you know... internship at a P.R. Firm...

F/R/S: oh wow, that's great... lucky you have a job, economy is so bad right now. Still at UF right? When do you go back up? what do you study again?

Me: Yea... that's true. Well i study Public Relations, you know like what i do at the P.R. Firm. and i go back up at the end of summer.

F/R/S: OH RIGHT, yea yea... that's great... Um yea, what is Public Relations again? like Marketing right?

Me: no. it's not actually. *HAVE TO CUT OFF THE CONVERSATION HERE BECAUSE IF NOT, I MIGHT JUST END UP GOING OFF ON A TANGENT.*

The point i was trying to get across is that i can say i did something productive for my future this summer. Isn't that what college students hope to impress others with any way? This summer although very productive, has also been a bit enlightning, a tad spontaneous, a pinch emotional, a wee bit serene and a smidge zestful. It all combined to make my summer savvy and memorable.

I should cherish the memories i made in Colombia in May because i don't plan on going this December. As for family, i don't know how often i will be coming down to Miami. Hopefully Fall semester will allow me to come down more. I don't want to use the gas excuse, but it still remains as one of my main reasons why i rarely come down south.
Summer, this isn't good bye. This is see you later.

A toast.... to what the future may bring.

Cheers.

South Florida Print Media Outlets

I dial, it rings and then an automated voice gives me my options... i always skip the intro and dial zero.

Yes operator, i need you. I ask for an editor or i ask the operator (normally a her) to direct me in the right direction.
The editor answers with a talk-quick-i'm-busy tone and i try to squeeze my two-minute explanation into a two-sentence question.

Today, like every day, the receptionist answers with a greeting so cranky that it almost makes me want to go over there and give her a coconut popsicle(at least that's what always cheers me up). After she transfers me, unless she puts you on hold for a minute and then picks up where she left off by asking you once again what you needed, you get an editor,and if not you get what i kept getting today. I kept getting transferred to a voicemail box so encouraging that not even the editor's mother would have left a message. So no, if that wasn't clear enough, i didn't leave any voicemails. If i ever did get answers back from them, i would always gladly leave my voice on a recorder.

They all talk to me the same: Miami Herald, el Nuevo Herald, South Florida Business Journal, Daily Business Review, Sun Sentinel, Hispanic Market Weekly, Diario Las Americas.... i can go on but i'm sure you got the idea.
They don't want to talk to see who they are dealing with, instead they want an email. Why exactly? to be more efficient? to not have to confront directly? to leave it for later? I believe there are a number of reasons. Not all reasons have to apply. I do know one thing, the email follow up can take an eternity. I wish calling was just as important. To hear the tone and sound of the person's voice is so much more personal, so clicheeee! but no, the phone is not preferable to them.

By the way, if you're wondering if the Spanish publications are nicer? more accommodating?
Easy answer: No.

Editors... must you make it sound, feel and look as if you have better things to do. If your deadlines can't wait, get an assistant. After all, without our press releases what work would you have to edit or run.

Good day.

My internship at Axis Agency

This is my second internship and i have to say that it is quite different from my last one at a boutique P.R. firm. This global P.R. Firm (where i intern now) has made me realize the differences in tactics and strategies compared to the inner workings of a boutique firm. I noticed that titles and positions mean much more than higher salary, it also means input power. At my last internship i was able to sit in a meeting and put forth my ideas, whether they were good or not. At this internship all the pitching ideas and strategy plans are already decided and all that is left, is to follow the plan, the blueprint, the process. It's already done and all i have to do is carry it out. The chance to be witty with work is done before i even began. Therefore, my creative ideas are not needed. My brain is not asked to find a more economical way of getting the media to cover our clients. My brain simply is supposed to figure out how to ask a receptionist for a much needed email address. I drive 35 minutes without traffic to get on the phone and ask editors, assistants and receptionists questions. Then i drive 50 minutes in bumper-to-bumper traffic, which gives me plenty of time to reflect on my job. Hmm, not quite what i was expecting.

So what am i complaining about exactly? The drive to and from work or my job? It's hard to say... Actually, i'm making this sound worse than it is. I'm an intern. What can i expect?

But the reality of it is that i can be replaced by anyone. My position and tasks do not require any cleverness nor impressive efficiency. I am reconsidering the idea of working in a global firm where only the top of the top decide how the client's money will be put to use. This can make it more challanging to be satisfied with ones job position. However, i suppose it can also make it more motivating to know there is a higher title with a nicer office, more power, and a newer desk awaiting for you. It might even have a plant by the window.

This experience will end in 4 days.
The co-workers are young, ambitious, well-mannered, professional and energetic. Very nice atmosphere, not stuffy. That will be missed.