Final Posting

Here goes my final post...

Today is my last day at the Kennedy Center. In a way, it feels like it came at a perfect time, and that I should be looking towards my future career options. It's scary to hear myself talk that way...

We had an intern farewell breakfast this morning, and received a gift from the Institute as a thank you for all our work. It was a very thoughtful gift, and the graduation certificate was cute. I personalized thank you cards for everyone that has been very welcoming to me here, including the MG office. Everyone was so nice to me, and I couldn't have asked for a more hard working group of individuals to work closely with.

Just wanted to close up this chapter...I suppose.

In the news :-) Millie got a pretty bad review in the Washington Post... :-(

Advice to myself

Advice to Myself About My Internship at the Kennedy Center


Walking away from my Kennedy Center experience may be one of the most difficult things I have done in a long time. Through dedicated hard work, I have come to find that level of maturity and accountability required by this organization. Although it was difficult at first, I was able to juggle schoolwork and this internship, and manage to learn a whole lot from the experience. Here are some pieces of advice I would have liked to give myself from the start.
You are not going to learn what you think you will. There are many unexpected lessons that will be gained just from being around the office, and soaking in how a functional arts organization runs. Expect to get out of your personal comfort zone, and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to meet as many people as possible, and be outgoing.
Understand that your supervisor has so many other things on their plate, and cannot be bothered by trivial questions. Be independent, and find answers to your questions from others, such as the assistant manager. Don’t be afraid to initiate new projects for yourself. Be willing to help out as much as possible in all the different DEVO departments, even if it is a mundane task such as tying hundreds of ribbons around boxes. Be willing to accept days that are not as busy as others. Be willing to accept days that are absolutely nuts.
Don’t be afraid to contact your supervisor if there is an insane amount of traffic, and it just so happens that there was a bomb scare at the Watergate. Go to lunch with some of the other interns sometimes. You will get lost in the beginning, but by the end, you’ll know where you are going! Be on time for seminars, even from the first week. Write thank you notes for everything. Make professional contacts with staff members. There will be events going on at the Millennium Stage that sound…interesting. Go to see events, and take advantage of the free tickets. Enjoy the programming, and remind yourself every once in a while why you decided to be an intern with this wonderful organization. Soak in as much as possible, and write things down. Always be willing to do any project, and follow through with the work. Ask questions at the seminars, and participate.
Understand that the organization is huge, and you will never really get a clear picture of how each department truly functions. The seminars help, but until you actually work in a department, you won’t know the ins and outs. Try really hard to learn everyone’s name and title. Just take each day as it comes and make the most out of your time. Most importantly…try to have some fun!

Almost rounding home plate!

As the semester is drawing to a close, so is my internship at the Kennedy Center. While I have enjoyed my time here, I have also learned much about myself as a working professional, which is much different than my work as a student. It has been an interesting experience, and one that I am certainly glad I was given the opportunity to have.

It's also been an extremely interesting week! The highlight of my week, by far, happened on Wednesday. I was out with Holly, going to different FedEx stores all over the city to pick up packaging to send CD's out to donors. When we got back, I had an assignment from Jean Campos in Special Events. I was charged with calling a subsect of the list of attendees for the Chairman's Honorees Luncheon, which is taking place on Saturday. My section of the list was from P to S. Needless to say, Izchack Pearlman and Alma Powell were on my list. The Pearlman's didn't pick up their phone (but they got a message from me!)...however, Alma picked up her phone...and I got to talk on the phone with her. It was pretty exciting. Most of these important people have assistants to take care of things like RSVP's , but Alma went right ahead and took care of it. She is a big time supporter of the Kennedy Center, but I was impressed that I could hold it together while I was on the phone with her. I lost it as soon as we hung up, but it was great!

Anyway, so how is that for a critical incident?!? I love it...

I got my final evaluation in from my supervisor, and its a little different than I expected. I still dont know if I "made progress," but all of a sudden new issues have come up...which is fine, because I like criticism...but I didnt know that certain points were weaker than others. However, it was progress from the last one. My phone demeanor has gotten a lot better, and I have been representing the Kennedy Center well on the phone. Good to know.

I will be able to report on Monday what happened over the weekend with Honors. I will be working at the Chairman's Honorees Luncheon on Saturday, not at the actual event. I'm so excited, though, to be around with all of the people whose names I now recognize from filing and doing paperwork on them. Plus, the honorees. What a great time to be at the Kennedy Center.

In the news...The Washington Post (11/30) reviewed the production of "Willa Wonka" at the Kennedy Center...mostly good critique, citing it is good for young audiences. The Post (12/1) also reported on the sad state of the NEA funding that President Bush promised in January. Now only $2 million remains for the agency to appropriate out.

There was also a great article in the New York Times (12/2) about the King Tut exhibit, and how much the Egyptian government is making off of it. Museums are having a more difficult time choosing what exhibits they want to have, since all the touring exhibitions are peddling themselves around. Also, the exhorbatant prices! $30 to see King Tut!!