Caribbean American Weekly
Internship Journal Entry #1
For this semester, I am currently interning at Caribbean American Weekly (The New American Chambers of Commerce) . The company is located at 26 court street, which is not far from the school. Because its so close to the school, i am able to work hours before heading to class. Working for a company that helps small local businesses and entrepreneurs , as well as report news for Caribbean american immigrants is beneficial, yet stressful. Its required that i bring my own laptop to use the Adobe software to create flyers and banners, which is convenient but not so for my back.
There is a large table that i work at that has only one internet cord, but has multiple outlets for chargers. From what i have learned, while most of the employees are of Caribbean decent, the company has many branches; from law firms to newspaper print. Outside clients seek the New American Chambers of Commerce for local business support and promotions, while their newspaper is used to provide international news, sports, useful information to immigrants from all countries of origin throughout New York.
Internship Journal Entry #2-The interview
So far, I have been tasked to redesigning previous flyers for Caribbean American Weekly. Using Indesign, i had to change layouts and type faces, but I took my time on this project because I did not Want any typo’s. It has only been a couple of days since I had my first interview. I met with my now supervisor Ms. Pearl Philip on a friday before class. Just the day before, i called CAW in hopes for an internship position. Immediately, a woman answered, and scheduled me for an interview at 12pm friday. I was nervous because this was the only internship that I received an interview call from.
The next day, interview was held in her secluded office. Impressed with my resume, she immediately asked when would i be available to work. To me, that was a huge relief because I was so nervous. I proudly took all the compliments i was given and left her office with excitement.
Internship Journal Entry #3-The Atmosphere
Another day at the workplace. I noticed that i’m not the only intern that has been recruited. I noticed that some of them come in casually dressed. One guy even showed up with a hoodie. Even though I was never told the dress code, (and where the coffee make is,) i had a sense that this was the place to dress professionally. Its a Business located in a nice building. So much paperwork around, why would i show up like i’m here to hang out?
The employees all work at their own desks/offices where they are invested in their paperworks and the service of clients who have came all their way. Even though everyone is nice, they are so busy, its to the point that when we are tasked with a project, sometimes they don’t give that much direction on what specifically they want me to do. In the end of the day, i have to rely on my own Knowledge.
When it comes to lunch time, I can eat whenever I’m hungry. Sometimes i choose to eat while i work, and sometimes i don’t. They never told me how long my lunch break is, so i just assumed its thirty minutes. It would just feel wrong to eat for an hour (even if i could).
Internship Journal Entry #4-Working at CAW
By now, i am still designing logos, and flyers for the Business. All of my years in designing classes have caught up to me. The only difference is that this time, i had to work at a different pace than usual. I would have to work on a project, then put it on hold to work on another project that would suddenly come up. What makes it even more hectic is that there’s not really much direction on what I’m supposed to do these projects. I would just do my best, and they would either like it, complain about typos, or would ask me to add/subtract from it.
As soon as i complete a project, i would be tasked with another one a breath later. Its a job, so i cant complain. Its also flattering that they ask me to do so much, but it feels like sometimes they themselves are unsure of what they want me to do. Again, i just always do my best.
Internship Journal Entry #5-More Working at CAW
If i didn’t mention before, my twin sister Suzan is also working as an intern along with me. Going back to the day of the interview, it was actually her resume I accidentally slip into Ms. Pearl hands before mine. Fast forward to today, Since were both (and the only) Graphic design artists working at the firm, we were assigned to come up with a logo and a banner for a Writers cafe radio show, for writers, readers, and authors.
As usual, there was a lack of direction. Because of this, we were given the opportunity to create something fresh and new for them, but the problem with this was that they would like it, but they would change their mind about a small detail, and would later tell us to change it or ending up liking how it looked before. Its frustrating at times, but even when I’m close to finishing it, they would come to us and ask us to put that aside to work on something else.
Internship Journal Entry #6-Work Ethic
know i am talented, but the lack of direction and time i have to work on projects makes me feel overwhelmed, and like I’m not working hard enough. I would spend a whole day working on one assignment because i would want it to be perfect. I don’t want the work to have typo’s or errors because i have a perfectionist mindset at work. I want to do my best , and be my best. I’m not aiming to be the best because this is a team effort. I am an intern who’s there to comply with their rules, and not make the rules.
So far, I am proud of my progress.
Internship Journal Entry #7-New Oppertinity
So Far i have managed to have conversations with the other interns. But recently, i was tasked with an assignment that had nothing to do with Graphic designing. I was asked to call people from other organizations to invite them to their Business real estate & wealth building expo that was coming up. I was invited to attend, but i couldn’t make it because it was so sudden.
However, i never expected to be the one, or have the opportunity to operate phone calls for them, but it was a bigger priority since the event was coming up. that was my first time being a receptionist. I was given an invitation script to recite to the clients over the phone. Some accepted the invitation, while others couldn’t make it (since it was so sudden). Most of them didn’t even answer, so i had to leave voice messages.
Its a good thing that i wasn’t alone at this. Suzan and another intern were also assigned with the same task, but we split the contact list by last names.
Internship Journal Entry #8-A new Project.
So the event has been a success, as i heard (since i wasn’t able to attend). But as soon as it was tuesday, it was back to designing for me. The new project was very interesting to me. It was a job and a competition at the same time. The goal was to re-design four different boarders, but to make the job easier, we split the job into four.
Unfortunately, i wasn’t there when they were deciding on who does what. later on, Suzan informed me on which part of the project i tackle. At first, I wasn’t happy with the one that was left for me. But when it was time to develop the project, I slowly grew an appreciation for it. I began to realize that maybe there was a reason why i was assigned to this project. It felt like it was for me.
The deadline for the project was friday, but i managed to complete the project before hand.
Internship Journal Entry #9-The Last Project.
As usual, as soon as one project is complete, a new one is waiting. This time, i had to re-edit the Banner for ms. Marilyn’s radio show that i have teamed up with suzan to create. Suzan designed the logo, while i designed the banner for it. Just when i thought i was done with the project, i had to revisit it weeks later to make changes to it. I had no problem retouching the Banner, but it was the kind of changes i had to make.
I urged them that the logo is the first one that had to be completed , so that the banner can relate to the logo in a way. At first, Ms. Marilyn would agree with the logo design, but every time i would re-show her, she would constantly make new recommendations to the logo, causing confusion, and uncertainty on what i was doing. i would honestly get annoyed at the constant demands, but its a banner for her radio show, which makes her a client. And the client has to be satisfied with it. But as a client, the job would be much easier for the designer if you had an idea of how you wanted it to look.
The same process was repeated while designing the banner. One minute, happy with the look, next minute, theres more changes to it.
Internship Journal Entry #10-Farewell
Working at CAW was stressful, but its a little bittersweet leaving the internship. I really enjoyed working for Ms.Pearl. She is My new definition of what a Woman Boss is. She knows what she wants, and when she wants it. I was able to do the work confidently due to her directions. Her instructions were easy to follow, but it was the work speed that i had to convert to, and grow from. She was nice enough to throw us all a farewell party, but due to traffic, me and suzan were too late.
Ms pearl was even more nice enough to throw us another private party. She bought us sandwiches from Panera Bread and gave us soda to go with the delicious meal. Its very hard to leave that place. There was so much that i have relearned and new skills that were obtained. Its a good thing that the place is near the school, so that i can drop in at any time.
Internship Presentation.
As a final summary of my experience at CAW, here is the presentation of the overall experience.
