Erin Greenlee - The Today Show

It is four o'clock in the morning and I am standing in the heart of Times Square. I am careful not to trip over the many cords and cables that my favorite camera man Craig has put into place. The lights of Times Square flash as they always do, but Broadway at 4 AM is quiet. Besides the few lonely cabs that cruise by, for now it is just me and Craig, sipping on McDonald's coffee, making slight camera adjustments, and waiting. I try to soak this in, knowing that I am probably the only one of my friends who will ever have a chance to see Times Square like this. In a few hours, the area will be bustling with traffic and pedestrians. Producers will arrive and production managers will show up. A helicopter will fly overhead for aerial shots. Then, at exactly 7:56 AM, Katie Couric will be whisked away from Studio 1 A and driven at top speed to Times Square. At exactly 8:03 AM, Katie will smile into Craig's camera and tell America that today is Time Square's 100th birthday.

Near the end of my internship in New York City, one of my friends asked me to describe my favorite New York moment. I had spent the semester working with many great producers and researchers. I had spent an entire day with Katie Couric. I had met a lengthy list of celebrities and had found myself at some of the finest hotels and restaurants in the city. Still, this moment in Times Square allowed me to see something that was truly "New York" in a way that few others will ever have the opportunity to see it. The Today Show was preparing to celebrate a very historical day for the city, and there I was, standing in the middle of it all.

At the Today Show, I often found myself in the middle of it all. When people ask me what I did during my internship, I often find it hard to answer. I did a little bit of everything. Thanks to those who have interned before me, DePauw already has a great reputation at Today. For this reason, I was quickly put with one of the top entertainment producers to begin working on projects. This began my experiences with agents, PR representatives, bookers, hair and make up artists, personal assistants, and celebrities. After awhile, an interview at the Essex Hotel with an actor, actress, or musician was just another day on the job. I found myself on the red carpet during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and in the Trump International Hotel, rounding up the Apprentices on the day of the hit reality show's finale.

When I decided that I would spend sprin semester 2004 at the Today Show, I have to admit I imagined that the bulk of my duties would involve a coffee maker or a copy machine. Though I did make coffee for Katie (once), and though I did run to Starbucks for Craig (once, voluntarily), I must say that my experience at the Today Show far surpassed my expectations. I don't think I ever made copies and, don't worry, I didn't always have to show up at 4 AM. The producers at the Today Show allow interns to have a major role in the production of their segments. I was able to learn about the entire process of production through actual, hands on experience. My internship at the Today Show has taught me much about both news and entertainment media. I have met people and made contacts that will surely prove beneficial after graduation. Most importantly, I have learned that in any field, of the media or otherwise, success comes to those who are willing to work hard and take risks. My internship was successful not because I met Snoop Dogg (which was cool), not because Katie (eventually) called me by name, but because I allowed myself to dive into something I knew little about, and emerged a more confident and educated individual.

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