Intern and The City

After about five months of hard work and hustle, I landed a public relations internship in the City that Never Sleeps! My journey to this place of euphoria was not without disappointments. I applied to an estimated forty companies, including radio stations, advertising agencies, public relations firms and record labels. After I was rejected by this prestigious advertising program, I was depressed and not sure if my dream would be my reality. But I remembered that "when the going gets tough, the tough get going" so to speak. With that in mind I got right back on my hustle and immediately began receiving a series of emails from companies. One agency was Tracy Paul and Company. Tracy Paul and Company is a full service agency specializing in public relations, integrated marketing, product placement and strategic marketing.

Everything happened so fast. Before I knew it I was on another hustle to find money to pay for my plane ticket and hotel stay, because I had an interview. Then things got even better. While planning for this trip, ANOTHER company called me to see if I would be in New York for an interview. Just my luck, I would be. Without my mother's support, I flew out of Midway Airport on a Thursday. Both interviews were Friday, so I had time to walk around and enjoy myself. My hotel was conveniently located in Midtown, so I was five minutes from 5Th Avenue and twelve minutes from Time Square. I grabbed some roasted peanuts, two Magnolia cupcakes and ate dinner at a local cafe, before heading back to my room to prepare for my future.

Friday came quick and although it was raining I could not have been more excited. I took everything with me before heading to 12Th street to impress my future bosses. Both interviews went very well! My public relations portfolio and knowledge of the business impressed both companies. I even had time to grab lunch at Cosi before heading to LaGuardia Airport. I'm sure there is a cliche for the phrase "when stuff is good, bad stuff will come". Because that is exactly what happened. Due to weather, my plane was delayed 3 TIMES. I had no more money for another night in New York, so I would be pretty much sleeping in the scary airport!

While looking devastated and contemplating jumping off the top of the building, I made a friend. The Senior Vice President/A&R of Jive Records. We talked for hours while waiting to hear our fate. When it was all said and done, we were both booked for Saturday flights, I had another possible internship opportunity at the record label, and my parents booked me a room at the Holiday Inn LaGuardia. (Sigh) That was close!;/

By Monday, Tracy Paul and Company had offered me the internship. I would be the intern of the Fashion Director. This was perfect because I want to do fashion and entertainment PR. Only 2 days after my interview and my dream had become my reality. At the end of May I will officially be INTERN AND THE CITY.

-Taleah G.