To Intern or Not to Intern - #1

DEAR CHANEL:

I’m educated, I have an MFA - I had a regular 9-5 job and was even in mid management before enrolling in graduate school.  Now I’m trying to break into this (entertainment) business from the ground up with virtually no help or contacts… can I realistically be a thirty-year-old intern?  

I am Asian and small – so I can pass for mid 20’s… but can my ego and wallet take that sort of abuse?  Could I possibly deal mentally with the fact that a 24 year old can make me get his ‘grande double shot over ice with hazelnut and a splash of soy in a venti cup’ because I’m an intern?

That’s what I’m dealing with right now. There seems to be tons of jobs available that get posted and announced everyday on all the boards and I’ve been applying and nothing comes through… I mean I just got into town 5 days ago and 3 out of the 5 days I was unpacking and gallivanting… so realistically after only 2 days of emailing resumes I’m asking why hasn’t anyone decided to respond back?!  So I know this is totally a ‘me’ issue and I’m just having problems managing my impatience.

I know I’m worth it and I know I’ve got the chops… I think the turn around time here for contact is probably a lot longer than the East Coast.  I remember submitting resumes back East and getting replies sometimes in the same day.  It’s definitely an adjustment to the pace and follow up (or lack there of) in this town.

How do I manage this expectation and what are you doing on your end to deal with this issue?

Your anxious and income worried friend
--Row

________________________________________________________________

DEAR ROW:

The hustle on the East Coast is measured in seconds and the hustle on the West Coast is probably measured in days. That doesn’t make the East Coast any easier to swallow, however, because every SECOND you have to be on your grind. Would you rather practice patience or constantly be stressed out? Stressed out so much you start aging like a twenty-year-old model who diets on Camel cigs and olives. Be glad brown don’t frown. And you’re in the sun everyday. No rain. No big ugly bubble jackets. Sure. There is a trade in with Los Angeles. The driving for one. But for what you want to do. For what you will be, you need to be in Los Angeles.

I know your work ethic—this is not an assumption based on your Asian heritage—you’ve been born and bred an East Coast hustler. So while people are just getting to bed in Los Angeles after long nights of partying, misrepresentin’, and hooking up on the beach, you’re up on your grind.

I couldn’t tell you how to manage this expectation, because I have found no solution myself. In my darkest of days, I would say don’t expect anything, but a person without any hope in life might as well be an effing zombie. I recently watched a Jimmy Kimmel interview of Kanye West. Kanye has a lot of teachable moments. Inadvertently so... Jimmy literally let Kanye rant for about fifteen minutes. And in Kanye’s ranting he once again self-proclaimed to be a creative genius. Jimmy fairly challenged him. Kanye responded, if he doesn’t admit that he’s a creative genius then he would be lying to everyone and most importantly, to himself. Two snaps and around the world for that.

You, Rowena, are a bad ass. Keep believing you are a bad ass, through your internship where the twenty-four year old is ordering you around, while you’re tossing out resumes, and as you wait PATIENTLY for replies. Remembering you’re a bad ass will keep you going and propel you to where you’re meant to be. Self-positivity breeds corniness. I am aware...

The only difference between Kanye and us is that it was his time; that and he made being a college dropout so very enticing. But the man is far from being perfect, or having it all figured out. He is one of the biggest celebrities, but still cannot get a clothing line with a top designer, as he so desperately desires.

Our time is coming. (I’m trying HARD to believe that for myself.)

Write me back,

Chanel

(p.s.: here’s the Kanye interview, if you’re interested:  
http://www.businessinsider.com/kanye-west-on-jimmy-kimmel-after-feud-2013-10)