Office Blunders

1. There's a man in the office next to me - our Facebook, Twitter and media guy.  You know the type, too smart for their own good?  Or I should say, so intelligent that there is little room for common sense and public decency? 

As I'm sitting at my desk, listening to "Hallelujah" by the great Rufus Wainwright I hear a loud thud and "I DIDN'T DO IT!" Our leading man has just thrown a book against his glass door, and is yelling back at his wife, who I can only assume is accusing him of ruining an appliance at home.  With many more things being thrown and many more profanities yelled, this ruckus goes on for a good 10 minutes.

2. There's really nothing to do throughout the day.  The salespeople are hiding away in their offices trying to find a sponsor for the rapidly upcoming NASCAR race.  One would assume that in such instances, Facebook and Twitter are acceptable websites to peruse.  Not so my friends.  What does one do when they cannot do anything?  I have seen every NASCAR Youtube video known to man, every crash, every fight, every interview.  I have scrutinized Jermaine Dupri and his father, Michael Mauldin (a client of ours) to decide if Dupri looks more like his mother.  And of course, my blog inspiration, I have read and re-read Jessica's blogs from 2009 forward.

3. Lastly on the menu for today - I am comparing Steve the salesman to Norm Macdonald, a comedian.  My conclusion? I need a real life.

The Intern

I recieved this amazing internship opportunity with Atlanta Motor Speedway this summer.  Anyone that knows me will understand why this is such a huge milestone in my life.  AMS has been a major step in achieving my dream to work for NASCAR.

My first day, I walk in, high heel shoes, cute "business casual" attire and sit down at my very own desk soon to be adorned with photos of my friends and family. I'm so excited I can't even stand it. I imagine days of dealing with sponsors, having meetings with influential people and maybe even meeting some of my favorite NASCAR drivers.

Now a month into my internship, I wonder - what is the point?  Don't get me wrong, I love the people in this office, and I have had some meetings and met with some sponsors. I've also met some of the NASCAR greats. Most of the time however, I'm sitting at my computer and finding contact information for marketing personnel at various companies across America.

Frustration #1: I feel like these small, busywork-like things can be done by the salesmen, by the marketing department, and it would take less time than it does to walk down the hall to my desk, ask me to do it, and then walk back. 

Frustration #2: Free labor.  I am doing everything I do for free.  I could have a paying job this summer - I could be NOT at home living with my parents again.  Hopefully this internship will fast track, or even slow track me on my way towards achieving my dream - but not if I don't get some true, hands-on, sports marketing experiences.

So I wonder - April the intern...is it really worth it?