First Day at GH

Today is my first day at GolinHarris as a public relations intern. I am mostly just learning peoples' names and getting to know the office. In a bit I have some meetings to teach me more about our clients! I am so excited about this oppurtunity. The office and everyone I have met so far are WAY COOL! I love it already! I never thought I would end up at a place like GolinHarris but I am so thankful. Sometimes I guess I don't give myself enough credit. I hope to create a sort of "chronicles of internship" over the next 8 weeks :) So, see you again soon, Blog!

Creepin' on Golin Harris!

Hello again Blog,

We haven't talked in some time.

Today, I had a phone interview at Golin Harris in Dallas and naturally, my blog was mentioned. Realizing I had not blogged for some time, I thought I would make a shout-out to all of the engaging and exciting people I "met" today.

This is sort of like a thank-you letter.

I figured, I had a phone interview, why not a Blog thank-you?

Jenise and Melissa (Mel is what it seems most people call you), you both seem so fun and outgoing; a pair I could really see myself becoming friends with! Thank you for letting me know about the culture and internship program at Golin Harris (hope I didn't talk your ears off). Jenise (hope I'm spelling your name right), how cool that we're both from Ohio!?!? Not to mention you were a part of Alpha Xi for awhile? Wow, small world for sure! Too cool, though. (Sorry ladies, if I offended the "techie" in you) Though, I was once a techie too... Just a different techie. I did behind-the-scenes work for our theatre at ONU.

Tana, Kylie and Glenn (again, hope I'm spelling everyone's name right), you were all also very helpful in telling me about the culture and daily life at Golin Harris. Glenn, your advice and pointers really helped me to examine further why I am interested in Golin Harris. You gave a fresh point-of-view that others hadn't offered yet. Tana, I love that you creeped on my Blog! Moreover, I love that you used the word creeped! Haha! I had a great time talking to you and learning about the technology vs. consumer sides. I kept thinking the "light or dark" sides, but I won't attest to which is which! (Honestly, I think both seem pretty cool!) Kylie, thank you for your perspective on consumer and technology as well. I'm glad you gave me your story to think about over the next few days.

Finally, Becca. Oh, Becca how wonderful to finally talk to you! You have been so very hospitable and helpful throughout this entire process. Golin picked a great person to work with potential interns! Thanks again for all of your help and information and for the chance to interview with Golin Harris. I will be in touch.

Thanks again, everyone!

To blog or not to blog?

So I really do want to keep up on my Blog, but sometimes I see Blogging as taking away from my other duties. Since no one is pressuring me to blog, grading my Blog or scrutinizing my Blog for an interview, I equate blogging with procrastination. (Gasp!) Really though, I just stink at it. I don't think, "Wow I just had a good thought, I should Blog about that!" I just think hmm the world should think about this... then I move on. I am not fulfilling my duties as a millennial (aren't we going to change the world or something? Talk about pressure!) I will be back soon though, I have a cool topic to bring up. Just not enough time to write about it at this very moment. Excuses, excuses... But really, I'll be back ASAP.

What have I learned?

I need to share my brilliancy with the world. (too much?)

Slacking again!

Uh-oh! I've been slacking on writing every week again... Darn. Well I can't think of much, but here's a little something:

Have you ever just needed to cry so badly but just couldn't? Happens to me a lot. I don't like to cry. Last night though, my sisters of Alpha Xi Delta and I went around a circle and remembered why we are still members and what the sisterhood means to us. I explained that Alpha Xi is my safe zone, my foundation and my rock at Ohio Northern University. Honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of this school. If it weren't for the amazing public relations program and AXiD, I'd be long gone and without regrets. AXiD to me, is where I go to school, not ONU. I have to tell myself this because sadly I just don't agree with most of the administration or the way students are overly-parented here. My Alpha Xi's are my type of people. Without them I would not be anything close to the person I am today. Aww, warm fuzzy feelings :)

Bob Peterson-ONU Alum, Pixar Genius, Fellow Greek

This evening as required by two of my classes this quarter, I attended a speaker. I went into the lecture thinking I would likely be bored. I mean come on, this guy graduated from ONU as an engineering major! How entertaining could he be? No offense, engineering majors. Anyway, Bob Peterson was actually a very funny and engaging speaker, doing voices of some characters he has played for Pixar and showing a few clips. Peterson was actually the voice of "Dug" the talking dog in Pixar's latest success, Up.

I found the entire lecture to be in the very least, entertaining. I learned that Peterson was a Phi Kappa Theta here at ONU, a fraternity that unfortunately no longer exists here and more unfortunately, neither does their house. From what I have heard from some older Alpha Xi Delta (my sorority) Alumae, our girls were pretty good friends with the Phi Kaps.

Currently my chapter of Alpha Xi Delta has been struggling in more ways than one to remain competitive on campus. I'm not afraid to say so because many people already know this about the chapter. However, what I'm saying is that I can relate with what may have happened to Phi Kappa Theta at the beginning of the end, so I was feeling a little sensitive. Also, today was the day that Alpha Xi handed out invitations to membership and seeing my chapter move forward, even just a little bit, I am so thankful.

As soon as Peterson received his brick (that was created into a plaque of sorts) I could see the mixed emotions on his face. Even from 20 plus rows back, I could see the flood of happy memories, the pride behind his letters and the regret that his beloved chapter could no longer carry on. Through a weakened tone, much less sure of himself than before, he explained his feelings of regret, but that if Phi Kappa Theta comes back, he will be there to place that brick back in the wall of a new house.

At first, I thought to myself, "I hope that never happens to me and my Alpha Xi Delta." While I still sincerely hope that my sorority is never put through such a hardship, I realized something. I realized that as bad as I may think things are going, I still have my sisters, and for now, I still have the ability to share my chapter with new bright young women. If someday Gamma Tau chapter of Alpha Xi Delta ceases to exist, I hope to be strong enough to still have hope that Alpha Xi can return, and I will do whatever I can to be sure that it happens.

Spring Quarter has Sprung!

It's a new quarter at ONU and I am taking an interesting menagerie of classes.

First I have "Personal Health Problems" a health class taught by a very entertaining Kate Witty. Her name, Witty, fits her. I literally took this class because I heard the professor is a trip. This is true. Professor Witty slides in her dry humor and sarcasm so quickly that some students miss the joke. I almost wish I had taken the class at a later time so that my classmates were more awake to laugh with me. I laugh pretty obnoxiously, and it can be embarrassing to laugh alone!

My next class is "Campaigns" taught by the lovely, recently titled Doctor, Dr. Alisa Agozzino, or more lovingly known as "Aggie" by many of her favorite students. This class will likely be the toughest simply because it's labor-intensive. I am excited though, because the first day I won a giant lollipop for most creative "neighbor introduction." My partner, Callie Crum, also did a fantastic job of introducing me. (high-five, Callie)

I am also taking "Principles of Marketing" my first official business in the upscale Dicke College of Business. (I say upscale because this building has gorgeous architecture and about 10 times as many classrooms as my quaint communications section of the Performing Arts Center) My professor is... interesting. She lives an intriguing life and I know this because our first lecture was pretty much about well, her. She is however, energetic and knows a lot about her field so I am sure I will gain something useful from the class.

I am taking PR practicum, which is a standard that I've been taking 1 credit in since Spring of last year. Basically I just do work outside of class that is considered "PR experience" and log the hours to gain credit. That class is with Dr. Stephen Iseman APR, PRSA Fellow, the head of our department. He's awesome. Easy as that. Oh and PRSA's Educator of the year 2009. Get it Dr. I.

Finally I am taking "Digital Photography" with Professor Tim Carrig. So far all we have done is listen to his love of photography, look at photos and talk about old photographers. The history lesson and viewing photos was cool but his story about his love for photography took almost 1.5 hours to explain... A little much. Should be a fun class and a good way to learn Photoshop, though.

Spring quarter has sprung, and already I have a full plate. Normally my plate is full by the middle of a quarter so it seems I will really being piling it on! Hopefully I survive and have a fantastic internship this summer. In Texas. So I can be with some of the most amazing people in my life ever. My "in-laws." Haha.

Crunch Time... times 1000

I hate the feeling of having so much to do that there is no end in sight. Internship searches have been forced to take a back seat because they are the least pressing. How sad. The Bateman competition has literally taken over my life this quarter. I have dreams about it, people. Normally finals are easy for me because I have a few projects and a few finals but this winter I have three MAJOR projects and one chemistry final. I absolutely despise chemistry. My projects are fun but time-consuming. Time is something I just don't have right now.

The best part of all of this is that I haven't even been procrastinating. I've actually been putting in long hours since I got each one of my assignments.

What have I learned?

-Sometimes, life is tough and there is nothing you can do about but buck up and move on.

I think this "what have I learned" might be a theme for my Blog... yay!

Bad Blogger, Bad!

Hello Again, Blog

I am so sorry to have neglected you for so long. I still recall from social media class that the most difficult part of blogging is... well actually blogging. I am making it my personal goal to write at least once a week, building up to more, if I stick to the routine.

I hereby promise to find something profound in my life every week. Perhaps something I have learned or observed. Perhaps my experiences will help others, perhaps they will only help me. All I know is that I. Want. To. Blog.

So, here I go. Back on the horse!

Talk to you soon,

Alli