Category: Boston

Will: Move-in Mayhem

Alright, so you’re about to leave for school. Wow. Wow wow wow. You’re packing up your car, stuffing random socks into any extra pocket you can find, and looking in spots in your home you didn’t know existed for things that probably don’t. But that’s good, you gotta be sure, right?

Well, let me tell you something: as soon as you coast down Comm Ave to the front of Warren Towers or West or wherever, your first experience as an independent adult  is gonna come right at ya. Move-in…

It’s going to be nuts. It’ll probably be hot, it will be overwhelming, but it will be awesome. So I’ve got some tips for you.

1) Keep your cool, people.

Just remember that there is no rush. You’ll have plenty of time to figure everything out and everything will come together just fine because, well… it just does.

2) Tell your parents to keep THEIR cool.

“Mom, just chill out for a sec…” You can say that! It is okay to say that because more than likely your parents will be much more overwhelmed than you will be. Not only do they have to deal with moving you in, but they have to deal with you going off to live your own life and fulfill your dreams and yada yada yada.

3) Say “Hey” and smile!

There’s going to be about a million people there helping you move your things, check you in, and just be friendly so go ahead and be friendly back! If you’re happy and optimistic from Day 1 it’s going to make your whole semester just that much better.

Hopefully this helps and if all else fails, count to ten and go to your happy place.

 

Morgan: Life as an Advertising Intern

So you want to go into advertising? So you want to work at one of those big fancy ad firms like on “Mad Men” and hang out on comfy couches while you create some pretty awesome stuff? Well get out your Mason Jars and sporks then friends - you’re gonna need ‘em!

I was lucky enough to snag an awesome internship at Digitas (now DigitasLBi) this summer - the largest (and best!) advertising firm in the Boston area. I was so excited about everything that I would learn from my summer at Digitas, but what I didn’t expect was to be treated like royalty. Let me explain...

- On day 1, the fed us breakfast AND lunch. And we got lots of Digitas swag.

- Every Friday, we get free bagels.

- On day 4, we got to attend the annual All Staff Meeting - held at the Boston Opera house, followed by food & drinks!

- There is candy. Everywhere. All the time.

- There is also free coffee all day everyday. Keurig cups GALORE.

- On day 10, we got free ice cream sundaes (summer solstice, duh).

- On day 13, we had breakfast with the CEO of the entire North American branch of DigitasLbi - Tony Weisman. Who is awesome, BTW.

- On day 16, we had lunch with former Digitas interns - who told us about their experience here.

- On day 24, all of the interns went to Cradles & Crayons for volunteer day, followed by more free food, of course.

- Next Tuesday we’re having dinner at Barb’s house - the President of Digitas Boston (casual), and on Thursday, we’re going to a Red Sox Game!

Best summer ever, anyone?

But in all honesty, all 25 of the Digitas summer interns are smart, hardworking, and innovative individuals and I have felt so lucky to be a part of this intern class. The interns are placed in a variety of capabilities - from Account Management, to Creative, to Strategy & Analysis, and are placed on client teams. Our days consist of about 75% real client work, and 25% “Digitas University” content - including training sessions and a case study competition. Although Digitas encourages its employees to have fun, we also work really hard, and in the last 8 weeks I’ve learned more about the industry than I ever could have learned in a classroom.

So my advice to you?

INTERN INTERN INTERN. Do it as many times as you can in as many places as you can. Its an awesome experience overall, and you might even get paid 😉

Hope you’re having a great summer and I can’t wait to meet all of you in the fall!

 

 

 

Sara: Surviving Transfer Student Orientation

Hello all! I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer and looking forward to the fall semester ahead in Boston, I know I certainly am. In fact, I’m already dreaming of Red Sox games, cozy scarves and pumpkin flavored everything. I know I shouldn’t be wishing away summer but hey, fall is my favorite.

Shout out to all the new transfer students coming into BU this year! A year ago I was in your exact position and I know I wasn’t exactly looking forward to going through another college orientation. But I will say it was well worth the experience, I met my best friend and now current roommate and it really helped me to get my feet on the ground and get my transfer credits taken care of before school started. I also walked away with a great mantra that Dean Elmore, our Dean of Students, shared with us. He quoted Howard Thurman saying, “Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

This really stuck with me because it made me feel in the right place at the right time. There’s nothing better than feeling like your decision to leave a school was the right one. It is not easy to transfer schools and it takes courage to make the leap of going to a new school. So basically what I’m trying to say is take a deep breath because you’re in great hands.

That being said, I came in as a transfer student last year knowing I wanted a career in the entertainment field and soon after I realized this dream, I read Dany’s blog post- a fellow COM ambassador and transfer student- about her amazing internships in LA for the summer. That really lit a spark in me and I swore to myself that this summer I would be interning in Los Angeles. Being someone who lives and breathes the awards season December-February, I feel so grateful to find myself in my dream internship at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. I have had the best experience and I know this never would have happened if I hadn’t come to BU.

My biggest piece of advice to transfer students coming in is to not be afraid of your dreams. Don’t feel like you’re already behind just because you’re coming to a new school as a sophomore or a junior. You still have time to figure out what makes you come alive and go do it. The best part is, there are so many people here who will go out of their way to help you make your dreams a reality.

So enjoy the rest of your summer, bond with some fellow transfer students at orientation and get ready for a great fall semester!

 

Dany: A Summer in Sydney

G’day from the land down under! I hope everyone has been having a great summer (even though it’s technically winter over here!) I have been having the most incredible year traveling the world through BU’s study abroad programs. Last spring, I spent four months working in London and I am now wrapping up two months living in Sydney. Only a few more weeks before I get back to Boston for my senior year!

That said, I don’t know how I’m going to leave Sydney. Our program ends on Tuesday but I get to stay a few more days because of my internship. I’m working as a publicity intern at eckfactor, a public relations agency focusing on entertainment. It’s a small team (I’m only the 7th person in the office!) but I have learned and done so much in the past two months, it’s going to be really hard to say goodbye.

The reason I’m staying is to work an event called the ASTRA Awards (basically the Australian Emmy’s for subscription television). The event is on Thursday, so since I have been working on it the whole semester, my supervisor and internship advisor worked it out so that I would be able to stay a few days after the program and see it through.

Our office has been working hard, especially this past week, to put it all together. I have met so many great people, both in talent and behind-the-scenes, through photo-shoots and media calls, and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.

Besides work, I have been having the time of my life exploring this city and safe to say, I’ve completely fallen in love. I am seriously considering returning for good after I graduate. I can either hope to get sponsored (maybe through my same internship!) or get a year-long work study visa. Two months just isn’t nearly enough time. I’ve done so much, but I know I’ve just barely scratched the surface.

Either way, there’s plenty to look forward to in the fall! I must say I really can’t wait to be in Boston again. And I’ll also have one month to just relax back home with my family in sunny South Florida before classes start, so no complaints there.

If anyone is thinking about going abroad, I have one thing to say: stop thinking and just do it. I can’t even begin to tell you how much these experiences have done for me. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to shoot me an email (vasquezd@bu.edu) or check out my blog (www.danyvasquez.com). Hope you guys have a great rest of the summer, and can’t wait to see you in Boston!

Until then, cheers mate xx

 

Steph: Freshman Dorm Décor

Hey there future freshman! As the summer starts to wind down, it's time to think about how you're going to make your freshman dorm feel like a home away from home. A lot of it comes down to simple things that will make your smalls space feel your own.

 

1. Photos and Posters

Pictures and posters are an easy way to make those bare white cinderblock walls feel more homey. Whenever you're feeling a bit homesick, its nice to have some family pictures up on the wall. A fun way to display them is to hang a thin rope from the walls and attach photos with clothing pins to the rope!

2. Pillows and Blankets

Trust me, there is nothing like coming back to your room after a long day of classes and just collapsing on your bed amongst comfy pillows and soft blankets. You can also have a lot of fun with them, by having a plain white comforter and accessorizing with pops of patterns and color in your pillows and blankets!

3. Lighting

While every dorm room comes with wall lights, its always nice to add a tall lamp to add some illumination on late night study sessions. Picking a lamp with colored shades will cast warm glows in the room and make it feel a tad less like a prison cell...those florescent bulbs can be pretty harsh sometimes.

 

The most important thing is that you feel at home at BU, and that starts with your dorm room! So don't be afraid to go all out and bring all the comforts of home with you.
See all of you SO SOON! (Counting down the days already!!) 🙂

 

Taylor: COM is Magical

Life is becoming extremely surreal for me at the moment. About two years ago, I shared the same nervousness and enthusiasm as many of you. I can recall drafting lists with ideas on how to decorate my room, bulleting last minute items to purchase, and stalking the information pages of extracurricular clubs I found interesting. Images of friendships to come, future lectures to note, and adventures to embark on would constantly enter my mind. My imagination envisioned BU akin to Hogwarts.

I pictured myself becoming the Oprah of our stellar Quidditch team. Unfortunately, the sorting hat thought otherwise. I was heartbroken when Student Services denied my petition for a time turner. Regardless, the magic of collegiate experiences is contagious. There have been moments where I have missed the BU Shuttle platform by just 9 ¾’s of a second (It happens to all!). Here’s a handy life warning: DON’T walk over the university crest, located in Marsh Plaza, before graduating (it’s literally the dark mark!). FYI: Fluffy creatures are often spotted on university lawns during study periods and at random as therapy.

COM is an extraordinary school full of phenomenal beings. Just thinking about all of the legendary footsteps that Terriers follow daily sends chills down my spine. I am convinced that we posse individual Marauder’s Map- which steers us towards our passion and dreams! Get ready for a journey of a lifetime.

 

WelCOMe

-JTaylor

 

Tom: The Best Broadway Summer

Hey all! After spending the past two summers in Boston, I am finally back in my home state (NY) spending the summer interning in the greatest city in the world, New York City! After coming back from London, I transitioned right into my summer internship at AKA NYC, a live-entertainment marketing and advertising agency right near Times Square. I am interning in the Marketing & Promotions department, which basically means all of the promo deals, events, and corporate sponsors you see sprinkled through the Great White Way come from our department.

Meeting Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez at 'Broadway Rocks'

Transitioning from my soon-to-be-completed degree in Advertising to the world of Marketing & Promotions was an interesting jump, but my time at BU has helped me in more ways than one to navigate my first real-time Broadway internship.

BU Lifesaver #1 – The COM Connection

While I am sure you are tired of hearing “network with COM alumni” – this advice could not be truer. While searching for NY internships while I was still out in London, I messaged a past “BU On Broadway” President, Abby Schreer, for any leads for Broadway advertising internships. She sent me the contact information for my now-supervisor at AKA. I sent an email with my resume, had a phone interview two weeks later, and finally got the confirmation email a week after that. Word to the wise – join clubs and meet as many people as you can. Friends can end up being your greatest lifeline.

BU Lifesaver #2 – Presentation 101

For our summer intern project for the company, all of the company interns are collaborating to create a mock advertising pitch for the fake musical adaptation to “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (the 90’s, Julia Roberts and Burt Bacharach, anyone?). While this project would seem daunting, I am helped by class experience (shout-out to Intro to Advertising) in presentations that have made this project a bit more manageable. Powerpoint is every agency’s best friend.

The AKA Marketing Team

BU Lifesaver #3 – Know the Industry

The biggest lifesaver of them all was my knowledge of the industry. Back in Professor Cakebread’s Account Management class, we had to research agencies that interested us, which is how I stumbled upon the Broadway agencies. Having a working knowledge of the theater industry and how it related to advertising have helped me every day. Most importantly – my recent internship in London Theater was even more helpful, especially since I now intern at a global agency (with a base office in London!).

The big take-away is make the most of your time at COM, because you will find little “lifesavers” that will help you throughout your internship and eventual job search. Without these BU connections and experiences, I am not sure I would have been able to make the most of my dream internship.

See you all on campus in the fall!

Hanging Out with Spider-Man at the Brooklyn Cyclones

 

Julianna: Finding a Place in Journalism

Happy summer, everyone! It feels as though the days until the start of the semester are whizzing by. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was writing up features for World Travel Guide in London or spending a weekend in Prague? Now, I'm two months in (and exactly one month to go) at Time Out New York where I'm interning in the travel & guides department. As I prepare for my last year at BU (yikes!), I'm starting to see how past decisions and goals are stringing together into my future. I came to BU knowing that I wanted to pursue print journalism, but was unsure of my direction. Should I write about politics? Music? Or both? And so, along the way I've reported on various topics - fashion, concert reviews, neighborhood hard news from a school board meeting to business stories. In the spring I had my "ah-ha" moment at my London internship when I realized that I want to pursue a career in travel, life&styles  journalism.

Just as my future career became a clearer vision I was offered my dream internship at Time Out New York. I've been reading and using TONY as a source of NYC recommendations since the beginning of high school. Plus, I read Time Out London religiously in the spring. To have my own desk at my favorite media company feels surreal even if it's just for three months. I work under one editor who has assigned me to several projects such as fact-checking listings for an NYC guide book and writing up pieces that will be published in the coming weeks. This internship has been a change of pace from previous ones where I was doing extensive reporting and writing. At TONY I'm honing my editorial skills, which will prove vital to my dream job in magazine journalism.

The point of my ramblings is make some suggestions to other aspiring journalists. If you're looking to pin-point what drives your desire for journalism then work your way through writing about different topics for on-campus publications and consider an internship at a newspaper so you can experience reporting as a trade. It's okay to be "all over the map" in terms of figuring out your place in journalism because after all this is a vast, ever-changing industry. As the semesters roll on you'll start to see your role as a student journalist take shape into visions of your ideal beat, company or editor position. My path in journalism at BU isn't over just yet, but at this point I could already say that it's been so exciting. So embrace bouts of uncertainty, feel the pressure of deadlines and as always, stay curious.

 

Lauren: Work & Fun, but Mostly Fun!

Hi COM kiddies!  Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer!  To COM2015 & COM2016- I can't wait until I get to see you guys back on campus!  And to COM2017?  Welcome to BU!   Get ready for the time of your life!

While I'm anxious to get back on campus and start my senior year (NOOO I never want to graduate!), I'm having the best time in Boston this summer!  I'm subletting an amazing apartment in Coolidge Corner, and it's been quite different than living on campus!  I'm also cooking for myself for the very first time, which has definitely been a "trial and error" sort of experience, but I love it!

I've actually had my summer planned out for a while.  Since February, I knew that I'd be interning full time and singing a cappella for fun on the side.  It seemed like an ideal situation: mostly work, and a little bit of fun.

But the second I walked into Digitas and started my internship at this amazing advertising agency, I knew that, while it was going to be long hours, late nights and tough work, it was also going to be TONS of fun!  The company has a fantastic internship program!  The interns get to enjoy bonding activities (like Red Sox games), training sessions, community service days & more!  We're also working on an internship project and growing really close as an intern class.  Plus, they have many great past interns who now work at the company (like our very own Tiffany!)

The best part is that no day is exactly the same.  You've got to be on your A-game if you're working at an agency, because it's very fast-paced and exciting.  There's never a dull moment at Digitas, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  And, although I've only been there for three weeks, I've already learned so much.  I know I'm always writing about how important internships are, but I really mean it.  No textbook or lecture can teach you this stuff!  It's an experience like no other.

But I only get to add on to the fun this summer by being in B Line Breakdown, the summer a cappella group at BU!  Comprised of singers from many of BU's a cappella groups, we spend our time together bopping and harmonizing to some really cool jams!  It's a great way to bond with my fellow Terriers over our love of a cappella.  There's nothing quite like being surrounded by people who share the same passion as you!

I feel so lucky that I'm able to do two things that I truly, deeply love.  My challenge for you all this summer is to find your own perfect balance between work and fun.  But maybe, if you're lucky, you'll find that your work, and your fun, are the same thing!

 

Jason: Summer In Production

It's summer! Well at least it almost is for you all right? We're already coming up on a month of our summer vacation and it has been an incredible month for me.

I'm currently working at a company called Spy Pond Productions. Spy Pond is a documentary production company that has produced films for PBS, National Geographic, and the Discovery Channel. The name might not mean much, but let me tell you what I've gotten to do and you might be a little more excited.

The company is making a film about James Baker (wiki him to find out more) and my role as a (paid) production assistant has mostly been to research material for the film and assist with interviews for the film. And now I have to name drop here because there's just no way around it. Three weeks ago I was in NY to help out with our interview with former President Clinton. Last Friday I was in NY again to help out with our interview with Lesley Stahl.

In a few weeks I'll start work at the Academy of Media Production (AMP) as the Co-program coordinator. For those of you who don't know, AMP is a four week long summer program that explores all areas of film and television. I graduated from the program in '09 so I'm really excited to be able to work as one of the camp leaders this summer.

In addition to that I've also been hired by the Skating Club of Boston to produce a few different video projects for them! This has already been an awesome experience, learning how to work with clients and create completely original content based off their needs.

What have you got planned for the summer? Tweet me @jasonkashdan and let me know!