Business cards really do come in handy.

On Monday this week, I went to visit the lady I will be interning for Sherill Gall. Waking up more than 2 hours early, making sure I had the best possible outfit (probably the most professional dress I have ever worn) I was more excited and nervous then I possibly have ever been. Lucky, it was only about a 10 minute drive, with barley any traffic at all. I drove up to the building, in big letters it said " Channel 9 ABC" I snapped a picture of it, uploaded it to my Facebook/twitter excited that I was finally there!

I took a deep breath and got out of my car, went inside to the front desk to check in. It took about 10 minutes for the secretary to even get me checked in and finally call Sherill down to come and get me. She took my picture and my license, and I got a visitor badge ID (cant wait for the real one). Waiting impatiently in the lobby, Sherill finally came down to get me! I gave her a firm handshake and introduced myself, she was very kind and seemed very excited that I would be interning for her. We went up to her office and pulled up my internship papers that the school sent her for me, then asked me to tell her a little about me. I normally really hate this question, I mean how do I sum up my life and show how enthusiastic and passionate I am about this career path in about a paragraph? I took a deep breath and just let my personality shine through. I feel as though I nailed it, I was very likable, and made sure to mention all my past accomplishments and why I wanted to intern there. (It helped that I did research on the company before hand)

She started, to explain to me all what the job would entail. She let me know that this is my internship and I will get what I put into it. I will mostly be working with the sales/marketing department, attending meetings with clients, selling media to different outlets, doing marketing plans and other certain events. Sherill does want me to explore all areas though, making sure I intern with account executives and the production crew, she let me know that she does this because she wants her interns to get the most out of the internship as we can also, she has actually hired her last 4 interns to work for her. Talk about awesome. Seeing the studio and everything that I would be doing made me wish that it was January 10th already! I am really excited and need to go out and buy some more professional clothing! I will be attending real business meetings, I need to also look the part!

Needless to say, it was an awesome experience for my first day there. I am really excited to work with Sherill and learn about working for a company like abc.

On to some more good news......Last night, I went to a local show at the plaza in downtown Orlando. My good friends that I have been friends with since I moved here, had their first shows last night. I was stoked enough that I would be seeing my extremely good friends play, I had no clue what would be coming next. I was waiting in line for a drink, and started talking to a guy about the show, then we got on to the topic of what I do and go to school for. To my surprise he ended up being the V.P. and A&R representative of Atlantic Records. He was really awesome and I enjoyed our conversation, thankfully I had my newly made business cards on hand. I will continue from now on to NEVER leave the house with out them. I mean hey! You never know who your going to meet. Good first impressions with everyone is a must, these people could just be the tool you need to truly live out your passion.

I am happy things are falling into place, I am excited to see where the next couple months take me.

Until then...

Sarah McNeal

A little good karma!

A bit stoked on life at the moment, this has officially been one of the best weeks of my life. I went for a job interview yesterday, I need a little extra cash to start saving up for when after I graduate. I killed the interview, and stayed after talking to the owner of the store (Beard Papas/Haggen Dazs), she hired me on the spot! We talked about the actual position that I would be doing, and also if I could help her with her social media marketing, which I get payed additional for.

She wants me to basically plan the entire grand opening of the store. I get a budget, have to contact multiple media outlets, set up a foursquare and twitter, and get to find the entertainment and come up with certain deals/promotional campaigns that they can start marketing! Really excited to work for a boss that is open to new ideals, and where I can add my creative ideas to her restaurant. Yesterday was awesome to say the least.

Today, almost even better. I got an email back about the internship I applied for at Channel 9 ABC. Accepted! I get to meet with her Monday to talk about all the details of what the internship will entail. She also seems very laid back and relaxed, she was open about the hours I would work and how long I wanted to stay at the position. Its a position for sales & marketing and online social media. I can't WAIT to learn about what I truly want to. Plus, its at a television station, I get to explore my newly found intrest. (she did mention a lot about nelson ratings) I so excited, so sorry if I seem overwhelmingly happy. I just really like when things go how I want them to, and especially if they involve my passion. More info on the internship after Mondays meeting.

Until then....I'm high on life=)

Sarah Mcneal

The Walking Dead, should we be worried?

Okay. First off, I would like to welcome you to my crazy never ending journey on my road to success. I have been involved in the music industry since I was 15 years old, managing, booking, being a house mom, anything I could possibly do to be apart of the industry I love so much. I finally took the leap and enrolled in a school that finally offered a degree that would not bore me to death.

Two years have passed and I have learned an incredible amount of stuff that I originally didn't know about the Entertainment industry....like my love for television, the production behind it, and my obsessive compulsion to constantly check nelson ratings. I even recently subscribed to Entertainment Weekly newsletter (and bythenumbers.com is number 2 on most viewed) I really never thought that I would find a love for something this much in a industry that I once knew absolutely nothing about. Don't get me wrong, I still have a great passion for working in music. There is nothing like seeing your favorite live band, the feeling you get (well at least the feeling I get) cannot be replaced by anything in the world, but can you live out two passions that are pretty different from each other? I'm a bit torn on that.

Besides my crisis, I recently have found a new favorite show on television "The Walking Dead". It's brillant, the cinematography is insanely beautiful, the acting is on spot, the writing is creative and surprisingly orignal and not to mention the nelson ratings for AMC are at the highest they have ever been for an original television show. Why! On earth would you want to change anything?!?

Well, today I read a very displeasing article about the creator, Frank Darabont, firing his entire writing staff! Um, hello! You have 13 new episodes that you need to start writing, plus if it's gold don't change it! Ever since I have got into television, I have been disappointed with more than half of the shows that the networks have been throwing our way, finally something amazing, coming from an amazing comic book. Is it really smart for Darabont to fire his entire writing staff, after a super successful first season? Obviously, NO! But apparently he is known for being hard to work with, and from now on wants to only hire 'freelance' writers for the show. I see some angry people in the writers guild, dont you!? I'm not exactly sure where this will all end up. Hopefully the show will not just be another disappointment next season. I know I'll be watching for more news on what happens with the show.

Hopefully I'll also be able to make up my mind on what I love more. Any advice? Can you have two passions and pursue them both?

Until next time, watch "The Walking Dead" if you haven't, you won't be disappointed. Especially if you love Syfy geeky stuff as much as I do.

Sarah Elizabeth McNeal