Refusing to Settle Look over your options before picking second-best

As August slowly nears, I decided to e-mail Rebecca (our Managing Editor) to discuss when to finalize the internship. We never actually decided a set date when I would be done, and I wanted to make sure that with my busy schedule coming up (weddings, trips home and moving into a new apartment) she would still need me to work. She mentioned me sticking around for at least another month to do one more byline for the September issue. An opportunity like that is hard to pass up. Not only will it be one more month of experience, but I can add that little extra to my resume.

Looking around at my friends that have recently graduated, I am quite content with the path that I have decided (or ended up with). Whether they are moving back home with the parentals to save money or continuing with their jobs they had through college, no one has really snatched a “real” job they love in a place about which they are excited. Since jobs are scarce all over, I see many students graduating and settling with whatever is thrown their way. I don’t want to just settle. I want to have my options.

I think the internship has helped me expand my experiences but also prolong myself from settling. If I had already graduated in May and done the internship last summer, I would be caught in a situation where I desperately need a job and must make a serious decision.

I have some advice for new graduates: R-e-l-a-x. Students need to relax, find themselves, then do the job search. If you don’t know where you want to live or what you specifically want to do in the future, then maybe an internship or side job is the best idea for a while. Any extra experience is an extra line on a resume. Plus, it helps you narrow down your options.

Since I have been working in the magazine industry, I now know what it would be like to do this for the rest of my life (or at least a glimpse of it). Is there really any rush to randomly pick a job that is willing to hire you and just settle? I know some parents may lean over your shoulders and force you to log on to Monster.com for four hours a day, but why not wait a little bit, figure out the best options and then go forward? Besides, it will be worth the wait if you end up with a great job (or internship) that will help you along your career path.

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by Whitney Riggs

Embracing the Unknown Fluid expectations of internship turn into awesome possibilities The Intern Diaries

Before beginning my internship almost three months ago, I had no idea what to expect. I literally walked into the building my first day and was ready for whatever was thrown my way. Whether it was going to be pouring coffee, scrubbing floors or answering phones calls, I was just excited to get my foot in the door! Little did I know that I would be given a workload of responsibility ahead.

Not only do I take care of the Intern Diaries each week, but I have been responsible for the Main Event and Happenings for the June, July and August issues of both Indianapolis Woman and St. Louis Woman magazines. I have also had my own byline for the months of July, August and soon in September. Can I say exciting?! But whew, what a lot of pressure.

Since I work from home 90 percent of the time, you may wonder how do I take care of all this and not get distracted with the beautiful birds chirping outside, my friends calling me to lie by the pool or my bed screaming my name to return? My answer would be a lot of patience.

On a typical day during the week, I wake up around 8 a.m. I walk from the sheets of my bed in my bedroom to the covers of my couch in my living room. I spread all of my notes, pens and anything I need across the coffee table, set up my laptop and charge my cell phone. As soon as I check my e-mail, my day has begun. From about 8:30 a.m. to about 3 p.m., I am making (or waiting on) phone calls, conducting interviews and finishing up articles. I often take a couple of breaks throughout the day –– a few steps to the kitchen and back –– but usually I work constantly to remain on top of things.

Sometimes I feel like I am living in bubble because the only time I really leave my house during the weekdays is to go to work in the evening. I am afraid if I leave, I will miss a phone call, receive an important e-mail or get caught up in something else and not want to return.

Although it has been frustrating spending my summer days indoors, I know that it will all pay off in the future. And don’t get me wrong: I really enjoy what I do. It’s great to write an article and feel a sense of accomplishment for the day. I also have noticed my writing skills have gotten better (or at least they haven’t worsened).

A few weeks ago, I was in Rebecca’s office, and she handed me the June issue with my first printed articles in it. Holding it in my hand, I think I almost teared up. I couldn’t believe my own name was published next to all my hard work. It is nice to receive some recognition for all the stress, time and effort that I have given.

Thinking back, I would have never thought when I entered the building three months ago that I would not only be coming up with ideas for the magazines, but I would write on them too.

Funny how unexpected situations can turn into unbelievable possibilities.

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by Whitney Riggs

My College Days Have Spoiled Me Intern Diaries

Though it’s a little off topic from my internship, I want to bring up how unprepared college makes you for some situations that typically happen after you graduate.

1) College never informed me I could be left alone by the end of my graduation year. Since I still have a semester to complete, my friends are starting to move on to bigger and (I guess) better things while I’m still stuck in Bloomington, IN, finishing up school (at Indiana University). Some are moving to different areas, some are starting higher education and others are returning home to save money. I realized the other day only a handful of my close friends are still living in Bloomington, IN.

2) College never taught me that the dream of moving to a big city and living a life like Lauren on The Hills is probably not going to happen. When I was younger, I saw myself graduating college, moving to Chicago or New York City and working my dream job. With a snap of a finger - it would just happen. But that fantasy is not real. Plus, moving to a big city right after college would be lonely and scary. Not to mention expensive! My dream was immediately smashed awhile back when I realized that a studio apartment in New York City can easily run over $1,000 a month. I don’t think my bank account would enjoy that much.

3) College never educated me on how boring life becomes when you start to “grow up.” After four years of college, my partying days and staying out late are over. With a job, an internship and bills, my social life has become quite dull. I used to look forward to Saturday nights hanging out with friends, and now I look forward to Sundays when I get to sit on the couch and have nothing to do. I remember making fun of how early my parents went to bed, but now I laugh at myself.

Although college educates and prepares you for future jobs, you’re rarely told that the life you have become so comfortable with over the past four years will drastically change when you graduate. Yes, I knew that there would be some differences, but I never knew how deep. Your surroundings change along with the people in it, and it’s quite overwhelming. I know I’m still young and have so much ahead of me, but I’m already starting to miss the way things used to be. I guess my college days have spoiled me.

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by Whitney Riggs

Intern Diaries

As much as I have complained about sources not calling me back or having to rely on them to complete my work, I have to admit their stories are so interesting. Sometimes I catch myself asking questions that I didn’t write down before I started the interview. I get lost in what she is talking about and want to know more.

Just the other day, I spoke to a woman who helps run a business for students on the cusp of entering college. Being the college student that I am, I was very intrigued. She helps them know more about scholarships and filing their FAFSAs. Basically her overall goal is to get them through college without debt! Sitting here with thousands of dollars of tuition debt, I suddenly wished I had met her years ago.

Then there were all the amazing doctors I interviewed when I wrote the children’s health section. They are so incredibly intelligent and specific in their fields. I was blown away. I’m sure the years of medical school have helped them, but it’s reassuring to know doctors have their stuff figured out. Plus, they were so kind to take time out of their busy schedules to speak with me.

Oh and there are the people I’ve talked to who are so unbelievably passionate about their causes it gives me chills. Since I have been writing the main event for the happenings calendar the past couple issues, I have talked to a lot of sources who run benefits and events that sponsor charities. These people are more than willing to share their stories because they know an article in IW can increase the chances of getting others involved.

And then, of course, there are the sources that I have spoken to throughout my internship that might have ruined my day. But to be nice, I won’t mention those people.

I think this is one of the greatest attributes I enjoy about being a journalist— talking to people and finding out their stories. Learning how different people live, finding out what’s new and just having a conversation with someone I don’t even know makes the job interesting. As soon as they answer my phone call, a story begins to combine in my head. It’s just an awesome feeling to hear about someone’s life and then put it into your own words for others to read.



by Whitney Riggs

What will the next chapter in my life hold? Intern Diaries

by Whitney Riggs

So I’ve completed my summer Italian class, and I’m starting to see a crack of light at the end of the tunnel for my internship. With two more classes to complete in the fall until I graduate, one thought continues to blur my mind: What will the next chapter in my life hold?

I’m not like one of those people who says, “I have no idea” but really have my entire future planned out. Kind of like those people in school who say they didn’t study for a test, but in reality they stayed up all night cramming and are probably going to get an A. And I’m definitely not one of those people who say they have no idea because I have not put any thought or effort into it (I’ve researched, and I think about it AT LEAST once a day)! I just have no idea because there are so many choices I like.

Maybe I will work for a newspaper writing day-to-day stories working odd hours. Having the same set schedule every day scares me, so I like the idea of having variety. Or maybe I will move out of Indiana and continue with the magazine industry. I really enjoy my internship, and having this experience could help me receive future employment. Or possibly I will serve tables at Texas Roadhouse awhile longer, pay off some of my school loans then move home to Evansville, IN and find a job there? Nah, I don’t really want to go back home. But wait… will I even be able to find a job right away? See, this is my problem! I have too many directions I can go! How do I narrow it down to just one?

Hmmm… well, I don’t think I can see myself getting a serious 9-to-5 job immediately. I think I want to continue with my education (Yay! More loans!) because believe it or not, I actually enjoy school. As of now, the most accurate plan I have is to attend graduate school in the fall semester of 2010 and receive my master’s in creative writing. I have always wanted to write a book, and grad school will only increase my luck of getting a job in the future. Plus, I would love to at some point return to a university and teach journalism. Most journalists have odd hours anyway, so it would be nice to one day have a family and have a decently set schedule as a professor.

These are sporadic ideas, but who knows? I still have some time (kind of). But whatever I decide, I just want to be happy, successful and financially stable. I guess I should be a little proud of myself for having a few ideas in mind.