NYC Trip 1

09 January 2008
This is my second night in NYC. Too bad I am under the weather for this networking trip. Last night was the pits! We met at Gallagher's Steakhouse, and the room was full of many breathing people emanating lots of heat... Enough to make the first guest at our table keep wiping the perspiration from his face. He is a FOX News correspondent. It was kind of awkward sitting in front of him, having no questions. My classmate and I were early so we decided to choose the seat right smack dab in front of the alum. It could be I had no questions because I am not as interested in television reporting as I am interested in radio, or it could be this dumb cold! Television is interesting to me, so I think it was this wretched cold.

The next alum who rotated to our table was from Coach... And had little if any relation to a career path anyone at our table wanted to take. What made it more awkward was when the representative had to stay at our table for extra time... With a bunch of students who weren't studying public relations. It was interesting (for me anyway) learning about what she does for a living. Sounds like the hours are loooonnng, the work fun, and the travel opportunities great.

After awhile, I had to potty, so I excused myself from the table and went downstairs, spotted the lobster tank, and made my way to the WC.

In the restroom I had an inter-stall conversation with another SOC student. She complained about the food, and we shared a few laughs about the sliced meat on bread and pasta alternative.

Wednesday night was a networking reception with a lot more AU alumni. I had some interesting conversations with people.

Another conversation I had with an ABC producer and someone from New York Bank was fun and informative. I learned that long hours are the norm, and passion is key. L., the producer, says we should go for the positions we want. For example, if we want to work on-air, it is better to get an on-air gig in a nowheresville city than to get an assistant producer's job in a big city thinking to "work my way up to an on-air gig.". Just go for what you want, she says.

I found the conversation with the gentleman at Sirius radio helpful. He wasn't a plethora of words, but those are the personalities I really find intriguing. He did give me a couple of leads for areas that found me interesting, and I learned one of the things he's looking for in the talent he hires... and it's more than a great voice. I found out that I need to have a healthy Rolodex also.