Tuesday, June 24, 2008

it's hard out here for an intern

Gawker has a post up today about starting a career in media in NYC, specifically, how???! It's not easy, anyone without rich, well-connected parents can tell you that. We all can't be Anna Wintour's daughter and be a contributing editor for Teen Vogue without even finishing college. Or Lauren Conrad who gets to be a fashion designer without even having talent (I can freakin cut holes out of pretty jersey fabric and call it a dress forchristsake).

When I decided I wanted to work for a women's magazine, I didn't think I'd get a fabulous job right away. I didn't really know what I'd be getting into. But I also didn't think that after 3 internships at national publications, a geek-worthy GPA, clips and gushing references from top editors, I'd have to bust my butt to get a job. Or bust my butt to be an intern...again.

Don't get me wrong: I love my job. I get to write, the staff is incredibly nice and I'm treated like an actual staff member, not "the intern." I've been lucky in a lot of respects. I've had no "The Devil Wears Prada" type nightmare experiences. But holymoly, when they say it's a competitive industry, they really mean it's a freaking competitive, someone-will-cut-your-throat-for-your-job, industry. I'm lucky that I get paid! And that I don't check out at the end of the day unsure about keeping my job or crying at my desk.

It's just that sometimes, when I look at my friends who are in safer career paths, I wonder where I'm headed. To ward off anxiety attacks I just keep in mind that they are not me. That I'm following my own path and working towards my dream, and to just keep swimming. I may not have a 401k or a benefits package, but I do get free beauty products.

1 comment:

Dean said...

i like that you're counting your blessings because it serves as a refreshing reminder that it's not always about the money.

if it were, we'd all be hot dog vendors or finance majors. all of this hard work just makes it that much sweeter to succeed.