I have had a few experiences that really stick out in my mind. First, I went with a photographer and reporter to shoot an interview with Governor Branstad. Setting up the shot was not the easiest thing because of the awkward shaped room. We finally got it figured out and had a quality shot of the interview. It was a real learning experience when watching a great reporter conduct a high profile interview. 

A few days ago, Barack Obama was in Cedar Rapids to speak at the Conveyor company. When I was told about this, I jumped at the chance to go. POA: Even if you don't want to wake up early or if something doesn't interest you, if it is going to be a learning experience go! And act excited about it haha your employer will notice if your really not that excited to go and that doesn't look good. 

I was up at 2 and at the station by 3. I was again joining a reporter and photog. The three of us were in Cedar Rapids by 4:30 just in time to get set up for our first Live hit at 5 o'clock for the morning show. Between 5 and 7:30 we did about 5 Live hits from the airport. By the 4th and 5th, I was setting up the shots on my own! 

We had to be away from our equipment from 8 to 10 for security sweeps so we went and grabbed some much needed food and coffee. When we got back, I snuck in a 15 minute nap and then we were off to be checked by security. Once we got on the media lift, Airforce 1 landed soon after which was good because the wind chill was unbearable! It was the coolest thing though. Everyone knows how many security personnel travel with the President, but seeing it is surreal! 

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In this photo, there are only three of the twenty vehicles pictured haha. After Barack Obama left for Conveyer, we were done shooting. My hands were so cold that there was pain going up and down my arms but it was so worth it! It has been the best experience I have had thus far. I learned so much by being there and hearing the reporter report on what was happening and setting the scene. I also got a quick intro as to how to set up ENG shots from the satellite truck. Not that I remember everything haha but it was a great intro. 

Before we left, we watched the President speak from the satellite truck. After he finished we headed back to the station. What a great day! 

"Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." Demosthenes

 
So far, I have been doing so many different things during my internship. A few of those things include helping the 5 o'clock producer, Janelle Haible, write and edit stories for the 5 o'clock show and writing stories for web. The first few stories I wrote got completely torn apart by Janelle haha I think I was trying too hard! POA: When writing stories for broadcast, make them conversational, they are understood by all audiences and are much more fun to listen to. I wasn't making them conversational enough but I have gotten much better :). The corrections now are very minor and subject to personal preference. 

I was trained on the news room's camera and audio equipment and the following week was asked to go out on my own for the first time to Vinton, IA to get footage for a VO SOT on their new mammography unit. This was going to be a lot of firsts and I will admit I was a little overwhelmed. My initial reaction was "uhhh I have no idea how to get there" haha I am directionally challenged at times and am very bad with highway names. Eric, the News Director, was very helpful with helping me with directions and I made it there just fine. Driving one of the company's Ford Escapes was fun too! I have to drive really well though because it is basically a KWWL billboard. 
 

 
Many exciting things have happened so far so I am going to catch everyone up! First, I was emailed one day by my boss giving me the heads up that I needed to dress very nice the next day like in a suit or skirt etc. Well I didn't exactly have anything that nice and professional soo in my typical style I went to the mall to look around. I found a really cute/professional outfit at Express...which wasn't cheap haha but I figured I would be wearing it quite a bit. It was so worth it! I had no idea that I would be featured on their corporate website. http://www.careersatquincy.com/. 
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Here is the photo with my spunky yet professional outfit :) 
Piece of Advice: When purchasing clothes for the job, especially if you are a college student, buy pieces that you can wear when you go out as well. I know more people are wearing blazers now when they are out and I love how they look so I wasn't afraid to spend the money. 


 
Welcome everyone to my new and first ever blog! 
I guess I'll start by sharing a little bit about myself. I am a small town girl from Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Currently, I live in Cedar Falls where I am a junior at the University of Northern Iowa. My major is Electronic Media with a minor in Journalism. I began my college career with an Education major then moved to Nursing for it's practicality but that did not last long haha. It was then I found UNI's electronic media program and have never looked back! My dream is to be a TV News Anchor one day but know I will have to work hard to get there. 

Last summer I scored an internship with the local TV station, KWWL. I was so excited to have this opportunity and counting down the days until it started, but one day I received a call from their news director saying that it wasn't going to work out because of insurance purposes. I was really let down but I couldn't really do much about it. During the following Fall semester I received an email saying that Quincy (KWWL's Corporate Company) is going to start offering paid internships. Needless to say I jumped at this opportunity and applied the same day to work in the KWWL news station. Being that I received the internship already and it didn't work out I had a really good feeling about it this time. Months passed and I was beginning to lose hope and thinking that they already found someone else.

I am a very persistent person, so I emailed the news director. When I didn't get a reply after a few weeks I called and they said they still have not chosen. A few weeks later I received the call saying I was going to be the first Quintern (Intern) for the Quincy company in the KWWL newsroom!!! And here I am. I am a few weeks into the internship and loving every minute of it. 

With being the first Quintern, it has been a whirlwind of excitement. I have already had many opportunities and shining moments that I want to share and do not want to forget. This is what has sparked my blog. I want to record all of the experiences that I encounter on my way to the top and give advice along the way for those who are also chasing after a career in the media industry. Much of the advice and inspirational pieces I will share will be applicable to any career path! I hope many of you will join me on this journey because it is going to be one with many ups and downs but it is going to be one hell of a ride!