The First Real One

Fair readers it has finally happened. I will finally have a job title that does not include the word 'intern'. I know - I never thought it would happen either!

Being offered this position as a graphic designer (and writer/photographer), above hundreds of other applicants with much more graphic design experience, has made me reflect on how strange my working career has been thus far and how it really is about who you know.

When I was in undergrad I was sure that I would go into the medical field. When I couldn't find a job that maintained my attention for more than a day, I changed the communication arts major. The beauty of being a writer, particularly a feature writer, is that I never quit learning. It's like combining fifty jobs into one, because you know a little bit about everything around you.

Then on a whim, one of my favorite professors recommended me for a position as a communications intern. It was supposed to just be for a semester. I stayed two years. That experience solidified my passion for communications and for working with rich, old people.

But if I've accepted one thing about myself it is that I can be a bit flighty, even if only in my mind. So for some reason I got too comfortable with my writing and had to shake things up. Upon graduation, I decided that going to graduate school for photography sounded fun, so I did.

Two days after that experience began, I realized my mistake. 10 weeks later I jumped ship (thank God) and transferred to the graduate writing program, which was the obvious place for me to be.

I hadn't been in the program but maybe three weeks when an internship with a local magazine came available. Apparently first year students aren't supposed to do internships. Well, rules are made for breaking. I applied and got the internship.

Simultaneously I found an internship on Craiglist.com that I also applied for and got. What's a girl to do? Accept both of course. A little hard work never hurt anyone. As it turns out, the magazine internship was a disaster, but the Craigslist internship led me to this present celebration of my first real job, benefits and all.

It's a good day friends, just ask my brother-in-law. He is ecstatic that I won't be mooching off him anymore. You're welcome, Michael.