Moving Forward

I have one day left at the Apollo, and all I can say is, I don't want my story there to end. I'd like to find some way to continue working there, and hopefully keep up the relationship I've established with my coworkers.

The Apollo has been a source of amazing opportunities for me. It's a great professional atmosphere, full of fun people who work hard, and I've gotten to see how people actually conduct themselves while running a non-profit. Being at staff meetings and writing emails to artists has given me a real sense of the tone one should use while reaching out on behalf of an organization.

It's also given me the opportunity to witness some very cool performances, which has been very fun.

Overall, I'd like to stay here somehow because it's fun, I learn so much, and I feel proud of the work I do there. So stay tuned, and we'll see how everything goes from here!

Pretty Much Done

So I'm nearing the very end of working at the Apollo, and I have to say, I'll really really miss it. I would like to continue working there over the summer, and I'll check with them about that. If not as an intern, then perhaps at the box office!

Overall, I am so incredibly happy that I got the chance to do this. I had a great time and I learned so much throughout the process. More than learning about budgets or travel coordination, I learned how professionals speak to one another and how communication keeps a workplace moving. I also learned that office politics and interacting with the other members of a team can make or break an organization. The Apollo is a great place with a lot of wonderful people, and I'm so glad I got a chance to meet all of them and see how they manage to do their jobs.

I hope to repeat this experience again somehow. Who knows what it will lead to!

Playing the Field

One of the great things about my internship is working in several different departments. Today, I'm working with Ade, who's in charge of community outreach. Not only is he a really fun and great guy to work with, but he definitely knows what he's doing, and when I work with him I see how one can manage a lot of information and responsibility quickly and efficiently.

Today I'm helping him get vouchers for donations to chairty auctions and other events. This means I talk to everyone: the heads of charities, the box office, Ade. I feel very connected and energized, and like I'm being truly helpful. It's a nice feeling, and it's also very cool to see things happening because of me.

Loving It!

Honestly, I could not be happier with my time at the Apollo. I feel very involved and happy working with Charisse and Laura--we've reached a balance of responsibility where I do whatever they need and very often help out other people, and I feel like I'm being trusted with more and more important duties. I'm just an intern, so I can't expect to helm projects; however, that doesn't bother me in the slightest, and I love what I'm doing. I'm really learning and understanding things like budgeting, e-blasts, and interdepartmental work that I've never been very familiar with. I'm more comfortable in the environment and I really like being surrounded by professionals.

I'm also getting along really well with my coworkers--a couple of us hang out during the day, watch Amateur Night together, etc. It's nice to feel connected to my mentors and my younger coworkers at the same time. There's a real community at the Apollo, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it!

Comings and Goings

I feel as though I'm starting to really get into the swing of things. The duties I have are still mostly on the menial side, but I really enjoy them--like printing the Amateur Night certificates and watching videotapes of old events to make sure they're good quality. I'm getting along very well with everyone at the office and so far, I feel like I've done a good job of being available and supportive in every way to my mentors.

My one concern is--should I be taking more initiative? I feel like I come to them for tasks and they give me things to do, which suits me fine. But should I be coming up with my own projects and going to them for input? I don't think I know enough yet to really create something substantial. But I don't want them to feel like I'm expecting them to come up with duties for me. I want to make their jobs easier and add something of my own as well. Hopefully I'll be able to find a balance between being a helpful assistant and actively contributing to the Apollo culture.

Now That I'm Settled...

By this point, I feel established at the Apollo. I have a nice little desk outside my coworkers' offices, with a computer from the medieval times and desk space. To be honest, I wish my computer weren't quite so ancient; everything takes longer and it makes it really hard to view files or run any kind of program. But oh well, there's much worse in this world to be dealt with.

Friday was my first full day (10-6) and it was exhausting but very fun. I did a lot of running papers back and forth, printing and stapling for the Open House that was the next day. But I also got some time to edit and even help write a bit of the hosts' scripts for the Open House, and that was really the best part. It was kind of nerce-wracking, considering the number of people who would be hearing and speaking those lines, but I did my best and actually got a compliment from the head of that project this week, which was REALLY gratifying.

Now we're starting another project, one slated for performance in June, and I can't wait. It has to do with African music and afrobeat musicians. A version of it was performed in Paris last year, and now they're doing it again at the Apollo. I can't wait to be involved, and it seems like I might have more to do, especially since I was asked to research all the people involved.

Well, that's all for now. I'll check in soon!

First Thoughts!

I've had my first day at the Apollo, and it was great! The atmosphere is warm but very professional; I have to remember, as one of my many new pieces of information, to dress the part. Everyone was very friendly and happy to help me out, especially the security folks who took my (terrifying) picture for my ID badge. I must say, I like having a badge on a lanyard and everything.

My two mentors are absolutely all-business. They are very kind and never hesitate to explain things to me, but they obviously have a lot of work to do and need someone who can keep up and learn as they work instead of hanging around on the sidelines. I need to be a player, not a substitute, and I'm prepared to work as hard as I can and show them that I'm active instead of passive. I also want to make sure I take advantage of the experience I'm getting, so my work keeps improving over time.

That's all for now, first day impressions. Check back soon!