Internship Day 1

I'm extremely tired right now, but I promised my Mom that I would post about my first day at tdg The Design Group that day.

The first day wasn't too strenuous for me, but that doesn't mean that I didn't do stuff.  I started the morning by reading a bunch of trade journals; Marketing weekly, Design Weekly, Management Weekly and Grocers.  Marketing weekly was my favorite.  It broke news of new campaigns and conducted interviews with industry leaders.

We had a breakfast meeting with our team at the Clerkenwell Kitchen, which is just across the courtyard of sorts.  If I had known I wouldn't have eaten breakfast before I came so I just ordered hot chocolate and a croissant.  It was more of an introduction of me to the girls.  We talked about a lot of random stuff, like why there is no Turkey in the UK, and if/why Jersey Shore is so popular in the US.  We also talked about the upcoming London Weather.  Apparently we are going to get some snow on Wednesday.  It snowed a bit today, it wasn't cold enough, and didn't snow enough to stick.  One of the girls was already calling it a Blizzard even though they are only expecting a few centimeters.  I had to laugh internally because back in Iowa right now they are getting inches upon inches and I'm not even sure we would consider it at "blizzard" status.

After breakfast, my new boss, Patrick, took me aside to discuss some of the things I might be able to assist with and different projects that I would be a part of.  On Thursday of last week I had asked to be more involved in the account management/client services side of things, so they have placed me in three different upcoming projects.  Along with that I will be writing press releases which I have never done before, so that will be a good learning experience.  I will also be writing "thought" pieces once a month to comment on the industry, trends and where the industry goes if I heard correctly.  If I write them well enough I might be able to get them published in industry presses, and that would be incredible for my portfolio.  I'm really happy with my placement and the opportunities that will come of it.  I can already tell that I will learn more at this internship than most classes I have taken thus far.

My first assignments were to make a short intro of myself to be sent out to the company, and to write my first press release.  I wasn't given much information, and there doesn't seem to be much to work with but I hope I write it alright.

Tomorrow, first thing, we are going to review my press release and after that I get to hang with Sonny, the account manager of sorts.  She said she would show me the town around the office and also brief me on our first project.  Wish me luck!

This weeks updates include our classes on Wednesday and Thursday, and the Valentine's Day premeire after class on Thursday.  Hopefully its not too cold.  Friday we go to Greenwich on a ferry down the Thames river.  I'll wrap up the week on Saturday with hopefully a trip to Stonehenge and BATH, and some markets and a museum on Sunday.  It's a big week ahead.  Can't wait to experience it : )

Pip Pip Cheerio!