Intern in a NPACE World!

This semester I got too finish my junior internship (did previous hours this summer) with the NPACE center here on campus. Let me say this: When I first changed my major to Communication I was thrilled. I was at the official opening of the NPACE center and I could not wait to work here!

When I first started to work here, I was intimidated. Everyone was already in their zone. They had a flow of things and here I was the newcomer. Those insecurities quickly left once I was introduced to Hayley Henderson. She welcomed me to the center and I never felt so much at home. My first task is to learn the ins and outs of the NPACE center.

I am actually thinking about pitching a radio show. That would be awesome and the NPACE center has an amazing radio station!

This semester is going to be wonderful!

Franchesca Renfroe – Reflection

When I first began this internship, I didn’t know what to expect. In hindsight this was an amazing opportunity. I’ve learned a better work ethic as well as perfected my AP Style of writing. I’ve learned how to search for the big story and get that story out in record timing.

One of the biggest things this internship has taught me is how to be an efficient leader. Having a team of journalist can get pretty hectic. Every interview, assignment, email-sent is important. Patience is a must. As well as finding the common ground between being a peer and being a leader. I have worked with a group of amazing people who all are aiming for the same goals in life as me. That is definitely the push I need to make it forwards.

Another late night going through articles and posting. 

Some days were tough, the workload seemed to drown me a some point and, I question myself plenty of times whether or not I was cut out for this business. Every time I asked that questioned, I knew the answer is yes! This internship has solidified my decision to become an Entertainment Journalist. I love the work, the exclusive interviews, writing. I love it!

When I was offered the official Editorial Assistant position for the fall, I knew I was on the right path towards my dreams. This summer was definitely a successful one. Big things are coming in the future and I am excited about them!

I am happy that you all were with me during my journey this summer. Blogging about the great things I’ve gotten to do this summer definitely amplified everything. Now I continue on my journey as an Editorial Assistant! AWESOME!

Franchesca Renfroe – Offered a Job In the Fall

I have been offered an invitation to officially become a part of #TeamVain in the fall. I would be an Editorial Assistant with a team of five or six interns. We would be working on the Erica Vain Magazine, now that it is officially on stands. I would be attending meeting once a week, coming up with content for a section of the monthly magazine (and assigning that content), I am also the link between my bosses and young adults (I keep things hip and fresh while keeping them in-the-know about what is happening in the world), and I would be building my own brand.

My own brand?

Do you guys know what this means?!

I will be making my name known in the entertainment industry, writing and interviewing. Basically building and giving my name credit in the Entertainment Journalism world. It’s not a tricky answer whether or not I accepted the job.

OF COURSE I DID!

It’s going to be an extremely busy fall, but we have the ball rolling. Good things are going to come and I am so happy that I found this internship. The summer has flown by quickly, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Franchesca Renfroe -Going To My First Awards Show!

It’s official, I will be covering the BET Hip-Hop Awards first hand! This is going to be my first major event coverage. I will be traveling up to Atlanta and conducting interviews for the website throughout the day. I’m so excited! Since this will be my first big event I will be working along side my boss. I know the day is going to be long and hot, but it will definitely be worth it!

I have also gotten exclusive Information about a movie that will be premiering on Hallmark Channel in September. The name of the movie is, “The Watson’s go To Birmingham.” I had to draft up the article to put on the site. One thing I have learned is that in the world of entertainment writing you have to be prepared to receive information to write about. New stories can come in at any point. No matter what time, you have to be ready to put the news out. Time is always of the essence.

Franchesca Renfroe – Scheduling Interviews… Sounds So Easy.

Well, that was definitely an understatement. I thought the scheduling process of the interviews would be a piece of cake. Boy, was I wrong. Now I understand what my boss goes through when she is trying to get things done. I had to schedule and interview with an up and coming artist, for the magazine. It felt as if no one wanted to take on the interview. It was like pulling teeth. I couldn’t believe it! After checking schedules and persuasive conversation, I finally had a journalist who wanted to tackle the interview. This interview comes with pressure because it would not only be in Erica Vain Magazine but another magazine as well. This week I have learned about the down sides of being a boss. When your team doesn’t want to move forward with you it can be quite aggravating. I’ve learned how to keep pushing positivity  even if everyone isn’t on the same page.

Franchesca Renfroe – Well Hello There…. Magazine Angle.

Well, I’m going to be pitching my very first magazine angle. My pitch centers around VH1 Single Ladies star, Denise Vasi. I’m trying to come up with all these clever ideas. Hopefully, my boss will like one of them! I’m slightly nervous because I’ve never pitched an idea for an entire magazine. Articles, yes. Magazines, no! I’ve decided to sit down with a cup of Green tea and not get up again until I have a least five angles ready to pitch. After that is done, I get to think of an angle for Kat Graham better known as Bonnie Bennett in The Vampire Diaries. It’s going to be a super fantastic week!

Denise Vasi from Single Ladies

Kat Graham from TVD

Franchesca Renfroe – You Lead With Your Own Titles!

This week has been crazy! My boss is on her way to NYC for some important meetings. This leaves me completely in charge of the newsrooms. Being in charge of the newsrooms has taught me a lot about leadership, patience, and how to have fun at work. With the summer winding down I have to give that extra push to my fellow interns. This is the last leg of the race, no need to drop the baton now!

This basically describes the the way I feel perfectly – Mood swings and all

I find myself doing leadership tasks more naturally now. For example, we have always had a problem with the titles that are put on articles. For a couple of days I decided to just do the titles over. Then today, I let the journalism people pitch me their ideas. I wrote their ideas down and as an extra assignment I told them that they have to come up with their own titles. I made sure that they knew the titles had to be unique and nothing regurgitated from other media sites. Later on today I will see if this tactic worked! Wish me luck guys!

Franchesca Renfroe – Moving on up to a four week training!

If you have ever seen the move When in Rome, then you know the dad’s advice to the main character was always : “If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.”

Why did I start off with this quote? Well, My boss, Erica, discussed with me my plans post internship. This year, I have a lot of things going on. But I definitely want to stay with ericavain.com. I love what I do! So, because of my passion and hard work Erica let me know that she will start the official Editorial Training process with me and three other interns. The training will be four weeks long, but it will go alongside my school schedule – this way I won’t have to worry about missing anything. Since the official internship will be ending soon, I am glad that I can continue on with an amazing company! 

This is my “I’m happy that hard work really does pay off” face. I was tired and wired on coffee but that didn’t stop me from getting excited about the news! 

Franchesca Renfroe – Early Mornings-Late Evenings… Don’t Forget the Coffee!

Being an Editorial assistant is like being a miniature Editor-and-Chief. In other words, it’s a lot of work. This morning my boss wanted us to use a new way of drafting stories for the newsroom. The first day doing this took a lot longer than the normal newsroom. I will say that the content that was being developed was a lot better than other days. We have continued this method, and the stories everyone is coming up with is amazing!

This is the newsroom we meet in every morning and evening. We sit there and hash out ideas until we get the perfect stories. If anything, this internship has taught me discipline when it comes to my work.

Franchesca Renfroe – Break within the Internship

From my trip down in Columbus with Rachel Green and Shaquille Wilson

This week is pretty mellow since the awards show is over. We are preparing for interviews and the shift to make the weekly magazine a monthly magazine. We are also preparing for the transition to change the magazine from web-based to print. This week I am actually in Columbus doing RHA training, so I am away from the newsrooms in the morning. The Journalism people are running the newsroom while I’m away. I still have to check my email frequently to make sure I’m not missing anything. It’s pretty weird being away from the Newsroom, life is not as hectic… I miss it.