"We're so Pawley's Island" - Khadijah

Rachel, myself and Marina - The Interns

Only less than a week remain for my time here at South Carolina ETV, and I'm reminded more and more everyday that this opportunity is going to do wonders for my career in the near future.

Yesterday, the girls and I had a conversation regarding the question, "What next?" Though they're going on to face the tough decisions of where to take their career after graduation, I still have two years left to figure this all out, and I honestly don't know where this road is going to lead me.

I'm so used to going after opportunities, and completely shocked once they're in my grasp. I've found that during my time here with ETV, I am open to a lot of opportunities for my future, and I'm passionate about a great deal when it comes to media.

Though I know for certain that I would like to go on and serve my time at CNN with my career, I'm aware that a person trying to break out into the media industry doesn't just get lucky all the time.

And I'm okay with that.

I don't want to be that girl that expects a handout down the road, or to rely on references from other people (though that would probably be a great help in this industry!). I'm all about proving why a company needs me, and working on ways to stand out from the crowd with my work ethic and skill.

I think the most important thing to understand through that process however is to never think that you're too good for an opportunity. Yes, expecting more for yourself is something that you always should do, and that's how I was raised, but it can also hinder some great opportunities for you if you're not careful. Though my dream is with CNN, I know that it is not the only platform out there for me to share my knowledge and to educate individuals. I'm open to working with other platforms before or after my time with CNN if it is meant for me to do so.

It's also important to love what you do.

A part of our discussion about life and our future involved discovering the difference between what a job is and what a career is. In my opinion, a career is something that everyone should aim for - it is the very thing that keeps you going. Something that you never grow tired of, no matter how demanding the job may be. It's something that you love to do - you breathe it and you live it to the very best of your ability because it's something that you care about beyond the money. Money is a tangible object that we won't always have forever - it's something that we'll always work for, but many times, we're never motivated to do when we don't love what we have to do to get it.

I can only hope that with whatever I do in life, I'll love it to the very fullest of me. I hope that what I do helps and inspires someone and teaches them that news is more than an outlet of sharing negativity only, but showing the best parts of our world that people should be aware of.

And more importantly, that it'll be more than a job to me.

P.S. Because me trying Nutella for the first time in my life was a big deal.



Last Day - Marina

Today is my last day at ETV and I still can't believe it! I don't even know how to start writing this post... Well... Let's list the top 10 things I learned during these 10 weeks at ETV:

1- Don't drop the camera (rule number 1!!!)
2- Be creative with the videos you produce, with the shots, with the editing. Put a little bit of "yourself" in the videos.
3- Producing videos is like writing. You need to find the connection between the paragraphs and create smooth translations. You have to connect the parts of the interview to create the main storyline, which can be quite challenging, but you have to trust your instincts, sometimes it's like acting on a hunch.
4- Practice, practice, practice. That's the recipe for everything you want to be good at in life.
5- It's o.k. to make mistakes.
6- Always ask people if you don't know something. Internships are meant for students to learn, you don't need and you don't have to know EVERYTHING. Even if you think what you're going to ask is a "stupid" question, just ASK.
7- Sleeping early when you have to work the next day in the morning is always a good idea.
8- Get to know people, ask about their lives, how they got where they are today, or even where they were when they were your age, why did they decide to be in this field. You learn a lot from people's perspectives.
9- Everyone has a story to tell.
10- Stay positive, even if something doesn't come as planned. Deal with it, learn how to improvise, there's a solution for everything. Stay calm.

I can't think about another place that I could have had so much hands-on experience as I had at ETV. I'm very grateful to Don, Tabitha and all ETV staff who received me so well! Here are some pics of today and yesterday.

Rach, Kad, Tab, Don and I at the Brazilian restaurant!

Kad and Rach setting up the tripod.

Brazilian Soda

Jude, Rach, Eva, Kad and I. Great meeting you, ladies!

Nutella time after the shooting yesterday!

Rach and I covering the Tomato Festival.

"I Guess This Means You're Famous Now " - Khadijah

Clip from SCETV  Interns Video

 

     How do you actually know when you've reached the point of success?

It's always been an ongoing question of mine when I made the decision that I wanted to be a broadcast journalist. There are so many avenues that can be taken with this particular decision, and there are so many different ways of achieving a successful career. There are also many definitions of what it means to be successful generally speaking. When we observe the lives of our favorite artists, writers, communicators, etc., we have a preconceived notion of what success is based upon their life and what they display on television/media outlets.

But again, I ask, how do you KNOW when it is that YOU'VE reached the point of being successful in your field of work?



Palmetto Scene episode clip (last Thursday)






 

Last Thursday, I saw my work being broadcasted on television for the very first time. Now, I've done a lot of work for the broadcast station at my school that is broadcasted through the University of South Carolina campus network, but I've never done anything of this magnitude. To have my work shown to more than the usual campus demographic that I'm used to is an extremely amazing experience. The feeling I got when seeing my work was literally that of a speechless excitement.

I got a call from my younger brother that night, and the first words he said to me were: "I guess this means you're famous now."

I didn't necessarily know how to react to that.

I knew that this was a great point in my career, especially at such an early stage in my academic career at the University of South Carolina, but did this really mean that I've reached the pivotal moment of "fame" or success?

One thing that I've always told myself is that I never want to let the defining moments of being successful overtake my mind to the point where I forget where I started. I see that happen often, and I don't want something like this opportunity to do the same.

So with that being said, I personally believe that I still have a long way to go, but to have a moment like this means a lot. It means that I am on the right track, and that should be recognized, if not by anyone else, than to myself.

With my internship ending in a little less than 2 weeks, I have a really big decision to make as far as where do I go from here?

Do I want to continue pursuing a career in journalism?
Will I come back to ETV next summer, or will I explore other opportunities?
Where do I want to be years from now upon graduating college?

I think that the most defining moments of success isn't with how much money you make, or how may followers you have on Twitter (though you're in a pretty good spot when hitting more than a few thousand!), but I think that the most important aspect of being successful is always being on your toes. Never ceasing to think about what it is that you want to do with your life, and never ceasing to work towards those goals and dreams.

This is the first step in my career, but it most certainly isn't the last.

P.S. : Apart of being an intern at South Carolina ETV is getting to share your experiences with others! Check out the internship video below that my fellow internship friend, Marina edited and put together here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MQZpetM8-U

 

 

And don't forget to check out the new episode of Palmetto Scene, featuring my work from the Barnwell School District Summer Reading Program!

http://video.scetv.org/video/2365290537/



Life Changing - Khadijah

Morgan, Myself, Rachel and Marina - The Interns


 

 

Over the course of almost two months here at South Carolina ETV, I feel that it's suitable to quote my experience as one that's been the most life changing and the most inspiring experience to date. There's nothing like being able to gain experience with this specific field of work at such a young age.

 

Last week, I got the incredible chance to step outside of the office again and to accompany Marina, Rachel, and Marina's director, Tabitha, to the Sumter showing of "Making It Grow" at Columbia's sister ETV station. The experience was more than just watching the show being filmed - we actually had an opportunity to use the production cameras (which were HUGE) to help film the live show.

 

LIVE = no big deal....right?

 

Me on operation camera duty.

 

At the same time the event was being filmed, I also had to emotionally prepare myself for my biggest project to date which is my own story on the Barnwell Summer Reading Camp Program currently taking place in Lancaster, SC.  

 

With Aimee as my director for Palmetto Scene this summer, she came to me with the task of taking over her weekly duties as Palmetto Scene Producer, and insisted that it be for the story that I arranged and set up for the program. Taking on the challenge, I spent a lot of last week going over notes and brainstorming over the many possibilities of how this story would look and turn out. I would be responsible for not only conducting the interviews, but also the editing process for broadcast.

 

This would be my first broadcasted piece, ever.

 

 

To my surprise, I was much more excited than nervous. This was an opportunity to finally put all of my skills to work on a larger platform. Getting to interview the program coordinator and Superintendent were all fun and enlightening because of how passionate they were about the program.

 

When talking with the kids of the program, and experiencing what they did firsthand, it really makes me proud that I have this opportunity to work with such a platform that pushes more of the positive things about South Carolina to the forefront, sharing a lot of useful information about the small Palmetto State.

 

 

 

Currently, the piece for Thursday's show has been edited and finalized for broadcast, and I cannot explain how excited I am that I was able to live up to my expectations, as well as Aimee's. There wasn't a day that she wasn't there for me to help me with whatever I needed, and she offered up the best advice for handling affairs like this. At the same time, she gave me the creative liberty and freedom to do this all my way, and with all of that, I believe that a great piece has emerged from it, and I cannot wait for you guys to see it.

 

I can't believe that this journey is almost coming to an end.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such amazing individuals, and to learn from the best.

 

You haven't seen anything yet.

 

 

 

 

 



 



Time is Flying! - Marina

I few like I haven't been writing for the blog for so long, but things have been very busy here at ETV! During the last few weeks, I've shot and edited two videos, written 3 articles for the web, assisted in the production of Making It Grow, and now I am working on the interns video and planning some other stories.

I had my first video aired on Palmetto Scene program (the one about Meals on Wheels) and then posted on the web! This was fantastic, because I've never thought I'd have a video that I did myself broadcasted, but it actually happened!

This past Tuesday we went on a road trip to assist in the production of Making It Grow! It was very neat to watch the producers, hosts, and videographers doing their job! And Rachel, Khadijah, and I had the opportunity of running some cameras for the show.

And then we saw our names on the credits when the work was done... Fantastic!

Now, I'm working on a video about the ETV summer internship and it has been very fun to interview the other interns about their experience here at ETV. They did such a great job telling me about their experience that I can't wait to edit this video! Tabitha was the one who did my interview and it's such a weird feeling to be in front of the camera because all my work here has been done behind the scenes. Anyway, I think everything went well!!!

Khadijah on the spotlight.

I can't believe I only have 2 weeks left here at ETV. Time is flying!!!

The Importance of Progressing - Khadijah

Sometimes, it can be extremely surreal to remind myself of the fact that I'm an intern at South Carolina ETV!

 

I remember being a huge fan of the broadcast station when I was younger, more so with the PBS Kids affiliation. Now, years later, I'm working behind the scenes and observing the behind the scenes work involved of putting every show together and creating a platform that continues to be useful to those who watch locally and regionally.

 

With every blog, I continue to talk about how much I've learned, and how much I continue to grow here at South Carolina ETV. Now, I feel that it's important to keep that growth in mind, and to continuously find more and more ways to keep growing and striving for continued improvement on and off the field.

 

Many ways that I try to do that is through the observation of my peers. Individuals that work in my field of Content are extremely helpful with giving me tips on how to better my craft, and I'm extremely appreciative of that. Things like editing and writing will always grow and be more and more innovative as the year's go on, so getting tips on that, and being a good listener/observer will take you extremely far in the field of communications.

 

 

 

The ability to work beyond the 9-5 work hour also helps. There are days where I come home after my day at ETV and I continue brainstorming on projects that Palmetto Scene is working with, and I also try to work on outside projects that I can one day show to others based on what I've learned in my field of work, and just by putting what I've learned into action.

 

It's also really relaxing and enlightening to remind yourself of how far you've come, and to remind yourself that you have such a long way to go. It is possible. You've moved mountains before.

 

So, I say this to make a promise to myself that even beyond this internship, I will continue to grow. I will continue to progress, and I will continue to learn.

 

-K

 

 

There Are No Such Things As Slow Days - Khadijah

 

Here at ETV, there are no such things as slow days.

When the world is chanting for their country's win over a game of soccer in a native land, there's nothing more you'd rather do than sit back and enjoy a good game of soccer, even if you don't necessarily know what the correct soccer terms are.

When you hardly know which room is which in a grand palace of editing rooms and studios, it's time to stretch those limbs and put your roaming cap on. Come on, there's no such things as slow days remember?

Then, you realize that there is beauty with which you stand. That there is more to your daily job than just clocking in and editing a video, but that there is a life you can live with people that matter.

With my very last few weeks of being an intern at my fingertips, I realize that there will be a lot that I will miss upon leaving.

Like these "no such thing as" slow days.

I've gotten to get to know and love so many people here, including my fellow intern friends. There is no doubt in my mind that I would lose touch with individuals who always seem to have my back.

 

The opportunities around me are endless.

 

Each project that I take on here gives me more room to explore different points of interests that only allow me to get better and better, and I love that.

 

Personally, I learned a lot here that being at home or sitting in a classroom could never teach me, but it's only because I've applied myself and dedicated myself to the prospect of learning something new that I never had before.

 

So the next time that you find yourself scrolling endlessly through your facebook feed to pass the time,

 

STOP

 

Look around you,

 

and figure out what new things you can learn, or rather, new relationships that you can build upon.

 

Blessings,

K.