I am quickly learning that being in New York is improving my skills as a journalist more than I could have imagined, and I'm not just talking about while I am interning at The Today Show. New York is full of different types of people from all over the world, which has made my transition from Europe to the city unbelievably smooth. When I miss that delicious homemade pasta I enjoyed for five months in Italy, I just hop on the subway to Little Italy ... vuala! I'm back. Sometimes while riding the subway I forget where I am. Standing in the dimly lit trains, surrounded by strangers bopping their heads to their personal beats, gripping the same cold, dirty metal pole that I am, swaying uncomfortably to the strong forces of the screeching subway remind me of the power of humanity, the undeniably similar problems faced by all people, no matter if they're from Harlem or the Upper East Side. Though I have a love-hate relationships with getting onto the subways in the morning, I instantly switch from hate to love when I stride through the smelly underground pathways right past a talented musician who probably belongs more in a concert hall than a filthy tiled subway floor. The music is real in New York and even when I can't hear it, I try and remember the guy in the 14th Street-Union Square station who plays his guitar and sings because he has nothing to lose.
I try and think of all the people on the subway, making the same movements I do as the train comes to a harsh halt, when I am working at The Today Show. Part of the reason I am so drawn to journalism is because it reaches people everywhere and allows everyone with an opinion to respond, something I learned Friday after The Today Show invited Sarah Palin for an interview (see below) with Matt Lauer to discuss her recent feud with David Letterman concerning "inappropriate" comments he made regarding her family. Some of my fellow interns were working the desk and received a number of phone calls where people expressed their anger, happiness, frustration or concern for the story. It is a wonderful learning experience for us to be able to be the ones to handle our viewers' opinions because it teaches us about who the viewer audience is, and what is important to them.
I try and think of all the people on the subway, making the same movements I do as the train comes to a harsh halt, when I am working at The Today Show. Part of the reason I am so drawn to journalism is because it reaches people everywhere and allows everyone with an opinion to respond, something I learned Friday after The Today Show invited Sarah Palin for an interview (see below) with Matt Lauer to discuss her recent feud with David Letterman concerning "inappropriate" comments he made regarding her family. Some of my fellow interns were working the desk and received a number of phone calls where people expressed their anger, happiness, frustration or concern for the story. It is a wonderful learning experience for us to be able to be the ones to handle our viewers' opinions because it teaches us about who the viewer audience is, and what is important to them.
During the 10 o'clock hour on Thursday, the story I helped with, which was filmed at Kathie Lee Gifford's home in Connecticut, aired. Check it out here:
On Friday I arrived at The Today Show at 4:45AM, but I had no complaints because I got to help out with the Black Eyed Peas concert. My main role was to help escort guests to the right standing area, but I did get the chance to watch part of the concert and meet some of the band. They were incredibly nice and I loved listening to their music. If you haven't checked out the Peas' new album, be sure and download my favorite song, called, "I Gotta Feeling."
I still cannot get over all the amazing opportunities I've had in my first two weeks at Today. I can only dream about what the rest of the summer will bring!
XOXO,
P