Co-Op Confessions: Conquering the First Week
By Sabrina Safran
This past week, I couldn’t help feeling nostalgic as I prepared for an internship orientation at Viacom yet again. I also couldn’t help but stress about making sure that all was in order with my never-ending mountain of employment paperwork as well as what to expect from my new position. But more importantly, what was a girl to wear on such a big day? Flats, boots…maybe sandals? Regardless of a constant train of obsessive thoughts, I managed to pull myself together, take a deep breath, and climb into bed for a good night’s rest.
Since being offered a position at Logo TV this past August, I’ve eagerly waited for my start day to come. However, I’ve also experienced a level of excitement (and almost a level of newfound confidence) that I never have before, considering that this was not the first semester I’ve had to roll out of bed at the crack of dawn and truly live the life of a professional. In the past, I’ve had the privilege of being a Series Development Intern at MTV Networks. Because of that internship I was able to use my connections and was fortunate enough to land another job at Viacom in the Programming and Platform Strategies department of Logo TV.
The night before my Logo orientation, I anxiously tossed and turned, anticipating a wonderful first day in New York and guess what? It ended up being better than I ever could have imagined. I ran into friends at orientation that I had either previously interned with or that currently go to Rider. I was extremely happy to run into familiar faces because it made sitting through the orientation even more enjoyable and it reinforced the fact that it’s not completely what you know, but who you know that could potentially make or break your chances of having a full-time job in the future. If you think about it, our friends today could be our employers tomorrow. That’s why I’m so thankful to have the chance to go to one of the most fast-paced cities three days a week to take on one of the most competitive markets to network and gain experience in my field. They say to make the most of your college experience, and I feel like there is no other way than to swallow your fears, put on a pair of “big girl shoes” and walk amongst experienced employees in your preferred field. You have nothing to lose and experience, as well as a potential job, to gain.
Aside from my orientation this week, my boss and the rest of my department welcomed me to their team with open arms, which made me truly feel as though I was a full-time employee and as if I already belonged. The first week at any job can be overwhelming, especially when you can’t find a bathroom and almost end up walking into the men’s room…twice (which totally didn’t end up happening to me or anything…). Regardless, the relaxed environment is making my transformation into this new job very enjoyable. In this department, I essentially assist my boss is sorting through the network’s show line-up and screening potential content that could be aired. Though I’ve only worked two full days at Logo thus far, the fact that I feel as though my voice can be heard makes me look forward to the weeks ahead.
