One opportunity.
One opportunity is all it takes to help you find your path.
What do you want to be? This question has always haunted me. It wasn’t that I didn’t know the answer, rather there were too many options. Park ranger, movie star, deep-sea diver, the possibilities were truly endless. However, it was when I took Professor Doherty’s Hollywood and American Culture course that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in entertainment, particularly film.
So, I was faced with a new challenge. Although settled on a path, I didn’t have a means of travel. I couldn’t begin my journey because nobody would give me the green light. It was frustrating not having a connection that could escort me down a smooth road.
I guess I wouldn’t have appreciated the opportunity as much as I do now if that was the case.
Only after sending around countless cover letters did I decide to cold call my future boss. To my surprise, he picked up on the first ring. After a fast-paced chat, he sent me a sample script. “The job is yours if you impress me with this script coverage.”
I received my first script coverage assignment soon after.
If there is an internship you want or a job that looks fascinating, don’t be afraid to chase it. Sending that email or making that phone call may seem daunting, but that extra step of showing your interest could be all the difference in making you standout as a candidate.
Now in my internship, the best word I could choose to describe my experience is dynamic, never boring. While my primary task is to write script coverages, I also conduct industry-based research and help with the agency’s communications. The virtuality of the role makes it all the more important to connect with my fellow interns and the rest of the team. I am planning a company-wide virtual hang-out. My initiative aims to humanize remote working. When individuals are given the space to learn more about one another, the harsh boundaries of remoteness seem to fade away.
Yet, my initiative wouldn’t come to life if not for my boss. He is a very personable, supportive boss who wants the best for his interns. I have written script coverages for a variety of different literature: movie scripts, self-help books, whimsical fantasy novels, scary sci-fi manuscripts, memoirs, and so many others. No matter the coverage, he is intent on hearing my thoughts on the read and whether he should invest in the author. Perhaps my understanding of summer internships is flawed, but I never thought a mere college intern’s thoughts mattered. I was shocked for my opinion to not only be heard but valued. I feel like I am actively contributing to the company.
However, this contribution goes beyond the company. The pieces I read are from real people who have amazing stories that deserve to be told. This role has allowed me to support creatives who have found their voice. The next manuscript I read could be the movie that changes your life, the book that encourages you to take the next step, or a clip that inspires you to make a change. These works have the power to impact your life and I am humbled to play a small part in making sure they get to you.