NTM intern Brandon's tips for a successful first day

Today's blog entry is by the "News To Me" winter intern Brandon. He's been with us for a few weeks but he hasn't had much time to introduce himself because Mike has been keeping him VERY busy transcribing interviews. In fact did you see Eric's interview with Debbie Fletcher about her long lost childhood playground which is now under 300 feet of water? Brandon was on the front lines of that one, writing down every word of that conversation so Will (the writer/editor) could turn it into TV. Since then he's done the same for three MORE interviews you'll see on upcoming shows!

So without further ado... please say hi to Brandon!

My First Day…

Brandon takes a break from logging interviews long enough to pose for a quick pic.

Do you remember the first day of your internship? How did it go? Was it what you expected? Were you impressed? Were you nervous? Were you disappointed? These are just a few questions that come to mind when people ask others about their first day experiences. While some might feel unaffected by the “first day jitters,” others like me need some reassuring and self-coaching before the first day of a new internship.

Dressed in khaki pants, a white button down shirt, and a blue blazer, I thought that my first day was a great one. What a privilege and a blessing it was to be accepted for an internship at HLN. I would be interning for "News To Me," and I was utterly excited. After going through CNN Center’s elaborate security checkpoint, Mike Kane, my new supervisor and Coordinating Producer of the show, came down to greet me. Before taking me to the place I would be working, located on the upper level of the HLN Loft, and telling me my responsibilities, Mike decided to take me on what I had been dying to see all along, a tour of the HLN/CNN headquarters. It was all happening so fast, and it was truly a dream come true. Walking through the hustle and bustle of the newsroom, seeing Tony Harris talk about the impact of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life at the news desk, admiring the director’s immediate action and responsiveness to new stories in the control room, were all wishes I had seen fulfilled. This was some place I knew I wanted to work at someday. By the time we got back to "the loft," it was well over time for me to go, but I could hardly wait to return for work again the next day. Not only was I thrilled to be working at CNN Center, but I had met some of nicest people, including my new supervisor, Mike Kane, and Associate Producers Aaron Rustom and Grayson Thagard. This was truly a first day I’ll never forget.

While there might be many different tips that people have for making a first day experience a great one, here is my recipe to a successful first day:

ADD A BOOST OF CONFIDENCE:
It is definitely ok to be a little nervous, but confidence is everything. It sets the first impression. Remember that you already have the job, so there was obviously something special about you.

DON’T FORGET TO SMILE:
First day’s can be a little overwhelming, but a smile can set a great tone. It helps to show your excitement for the new job.

REMEMBER EYE CONTACT:
This not only shows that you have great self-confidence, but also lets others know that you are interested in what they are saying.

MAKE THE HAND SHAKES FIRM.

PUT THE IMPRESS IN YOUR DRESS:
Make sure you find out from your new supervisor the suitable attire required for the job. It is important to come appropriately dressed for the new job, because this can create a negative or positive first impression.

A LITTLE PREPARATION IS KEY:
Before you start your first day, make sure you find out what will be needed for you to bring on the job. Come ready to work, and always have some kind of note pad and pen, so that you can write down any notes that will be helpful in the future.

*MIKE'S NOTE:
Great advice for future NTM interns! Thanks Brandon... and let's hope you still have that smile when you leave here.