2 Years ago for my work study, I applied to a program called Public Corp. Through this program, I was hired to do my first internship at NYC Housing Preservation and & Development. It was only a few day after applying to Public Corp, that someone in the administration division named Lloyd Nakao called me to see if I was available to do an interview. I was in shocked and excited.

The night before the interview, I made sure that I had my clothes prepare and my mini portfolio set-up. At the time I really did not have a portfolio ready to show Lloyd. So I put together my best pieces so far in a black binder and pray that it will work. Don’t do this, it a bad idea to go to an interview without a well organize portfolio. Even thought I got the internship; you should always be prepared. Go to an art store, get yourself a portfolio folder and start putting together your best work. Put your newest work first and then your oldest work last.

Here is my desk where I do all my work. It on the first floor of the building. This office with most of the first floor is called General Services where we take care the employees that work for HPD.

At that time, I was new to the whole intern/workplace environment. Everyone was acting different and talking differently. I was on a floor where the money and budget codes were being handed and managed. The administration was on the same floor as well.  Thankfully I have co-workers and a Superior that was willing to help me understand this weird environment. There was a time that I would come too late to work because I had school late at night the day before. But my boss would sit me down and explain to me that in the workplace; we have to organize and plan ahead. He is someone who lives in New Jersey but always comes to work on time. He also explains that yes there will be days that you will try but you have to push yourself and keep on going. And believe me, his words help a lot.

These photos are the overview of the whole office. Well, most of it honestly. In the last photo, the room on the right with the wood door is where my superior’s room is and where we meet to talk about upcoming Projects.

So on day one as an intern, the first thing I did was the basic. For example, updating some files that were outdated for years and creating flyers that were modern and simple for the employee’s website. I even learn how to make a physical poster where you print out the poster in the printshop which is downstair on the Lower Level. Cut the white border around the poster, place it on a big white foam board with a thin sheet of clear paper which is between the poster and the board and place a special paper over the poster and the board and instert it in a heating element where is clear sheet glued the poster to the board.

From then on, my superior would ask me to create icons and small website banner for the website as well as  different flyers for events that employees was having in their offices or divisions.

So there you have it….that how I got my internship.