#irts2017

Samantha Mayhew, GroupM

Surprises, huge media conglomerates, avid startups, multi-million dollar budgets, unprecedented access, 33 fellows, 40 interns and New York City – sound like the description of a packed (albeit plotless) blockbuster movie? Add in a storyline and that was my summer. Over the past two months, through the IRTS (International Radio and Television) Fellowship Program, I was given a thorough introduction to the whirlwind that is the media industry today.

There were 33 fellows selected from a national pool of 1,300 aspiring media professionals. Ranging from rising seniors to graduate level professionals- we were brought into NYC to live together, intern at different giants within the media industry, and soak up as much information as possible.

Media Boot Camp

We started off our time in NYC with possibly the busiest week of my life. We visited 10 companies, spoke with hundreds of people, and received an influx of information that I’m still processing. Highlights included running into Macklemore at Spotify, taking in the amazing views of the Hudson River from Google’s conference room and introducing ourselves in front of 400 execs for the IRTS Newsmaker Breakfast at The Pierre. We even had the opportunity to sit in the live audience at Good Morning America and then speak with the anchors after the show. (Yes, I did get a selfie with Michael Strahan.) From Nielsen and Facebook to JPMorgan Chase- we checked it out. The last day we participated in a speed dating style, mock interview session at HBO, which while nerve wracking, after ten interviews, my ‘elevator pitch’ had never been better.

GroupM

With our first week over, it was time to start our full-time internships. The 33 fellows split ways and headed off to different companies. I interned in the Broadcast Media Department of GroupM. Through GroupM, I learned more about the behind the scenes processes for media and advertising than I was even aware existed. I started off going through ‘Broadcast Media School’ and from there assisted Media Buyers and Client Service Directors in my department. Each day was packed, but two major highlights were attending the Mets game while sitting in the NBC suite and visiting Bloomberg. Overall, my summer was spent dashing between the different GroupM offices for weekly “Intern Lunch and Learns,” shadowing my supervisors at meetings with representatives from Fox, NBC, etc., and competing in the “Battle of the Interns.”

Battle of the Interns

GroupM’s 40 interns were split into 8 teams and given the task of creating a $40 million yearlong media plan for a real client. My team worked closely with an advisor from the Metavision division of GroupM and spent hours poring over new research, old slide decks, budget sheets and more. The project culminated in a presentation to the client representative and several executives from within GroupM.

The Indescribable IRTS Community

Through all of this, the IRTS program continued to be a defining aspect of my summer. ‘Media boot camp’ week may have been over but the events continued. Each week we visited a new company, heard a new speaker, or partook in a different networking event- sometimes we would do all three. Once we even went lawn bowling. Another time an IRTS board member invited all 33 fellows for a barbecue at his house overlooking the Hudson River.

We were also tasked with the goal of setting up at least six informational interviews with past fellows or members of the IRTS Board of Directors. I was constantly surprised by how willing everyone was to make time for an intern and the level of insight to their career advice. However, most important was the class of 2017 IRTS Summer Fellows. From helping edit my job applications to getting dinners after a grueling day- these were the people by my side during this incredible summer.

Lanier Gray, Disney ABC - Freeform

Time is not your friend. Always allot extra time to get anywhere in this city because there are constant subway delays or construction detours. Being late is the best way to make a bad first impression, so setting that alarm 20 minutes earlier than you would like will help you in the end.

New York is VERY expensive, so create a budget for yourself. When you get to this exciting city, you will want to buy everything, eat everything and go everywhere! In order to do as much as possible, save where you can. For example, I tried to make my lunch and dinner during the week and only eat out on the weekends. Budgeting is hard, but it will save you some financial stress. Don’t forget to treat yourself every once in awhile!

Go on informationals with people who have jobs in fields you think you aren’t interested in or know little about. Some of the most engaging informationals from the summer have been with people who work at companies I thought I would not like with jobs I believed I would not enjoy. When these professionals start to open up about their positions, you learn more and in turn you become more open minded about different jobs in the media industry. In addition, these individuals have an enormous amount of connections and would be happy to put you in contact with someone who does have a job that interests you.

Never let your informationals distract you from the work at your current internship. Going on informationals and meeting new people at companies other than the one you intern at is very important. However, so is doing a great job at your current internship. Your supervisor(s) will start to take note if you are always dipping in and out. Try your hardest to schedule those meet ups before work, after work or during your lunch break.

Get to know the people at your internship, especially some of the entry level employees. Many of the entry level employees will be new to the company just like you, so they can teach you the ropes and discuss office norms. In addition, they have a number on internships under their belt themselves. They can offer great advice and even put you in contact with a company where they previously interned.

People you least expect could be the connection to your first job, so always be on point! During orientation week, each fellow went through a series of mock interviews and we handed over our resumes for evaluation. Seven weeks after these mock interviews someone I’d never met before contacted me because I made a lasting impression that led to my resume being passed along. You never know what a interaction will lead to, so always put your best foot forward.

Your fellow fellows will play a significant role in your summer and perhaps your career so get to know them! Of course the professional development aspect of the fellowship is very significant, but perhaps nothing is more important than the bonds you will create with your fellows. I developed genuine friendships with many people this summer and to me that is worth much more. And who knows, one of your fellow fellows might be hiring you for a job one day!

Pay It Forward. This summer you will see just how much everyone in the IRTS Foundation is willing to help you along your journey. Thank all the people you connect with along the way and remember you now have a duty to help others. Encourage your friends to apply for this program, advocate for it back at your schools and make sure you are there for those in the future who will need your guidance.