So Nervous/Dream Job
 

I just got asked for an interview for my dream job at my dream company. I am so nervous and so excited! I have so many things to do before Monday! Wish me luck!

BTW, along the same lines, what is your dream job and company? How would (did) you handle it when you finally got asked for an interview? Just curious...and trying to keep the Alpha Phi forum hopping!

Alpha Phi Love,
Jen

Go Jen!
 

Good luck Jen! I am sure you'll do great! :)

AOE,
Angel(a)

Good luck Jen! You are going to be fabulous! My dream is to have my own publishing house for legal and academic publications. Sounds real exciting, huh? When I was in law school I was on the editorial board of my journal and my job was to do the final 5 edits on my journal. I had the hardest time dealing with our publishing house and vowed that some day I will open my own as competition.

Good luck Jen!!!

If We Can Dream it We Can Do it!
 

...I hope.

Jen

BTW Thanks!
 

Thanks for the support ladies! I appreciate it. I interview Monday at 11:00 a.m. I'll let you know how it goes.

I've enjoyed hearing about your dream jobs! :)

Jen

First--Good luck Jen! I can't wait to hear how it goes. BTW, where are you interviewing?

My dream job? Hmm...

Princess (ha ha!), no seriously, I think it would have to be Travel Writer. I would love to be able to travel all over the world, eating exotic food, staying in amazing places, and writing about them for a living.

:)

Hey ladies!

I just got back from the most awesome day spa, where I got my hair cut, brows waxed, nails done...the whole enchilada...in preparation for my interview. :)

For those who asked, my interview is at CNN. I am SO nervous.

Jen

Jen, I am so jealous! I just got my hair cut but I want to go to the spa more than anything. Maybe after I get laundry done, my car washed and my place cleaned I'll call and figure out when I can go visit the spa too.

Good luck on Monday! You are going to be Phinominal! I will be thinking of you -- let us know how it goes!

aoe,
Laura

Me too!!!
 

I would LOVE to go to a spa and get an entire day of beauty done! BTW, where did you go? I live up north in Alpharetta and I'd love to hear of some fabulous new place!

Best of luck on your interview Jen! (crosses fingers)

:)

Update...
 

Hi Ladies,

I had my job interview with CNN this morning at 11 a.m. I went back to my stylist to get my hair done prior to the interview, so I felt really great when I got to CNN Center.

It was a fabulous day here in Atlanta--bright blue sky, crisp autumn air--perfect for walking, eating al fresco, or a job interview!

I was so nervous. I got there an hour ahead of time and took in the sites inside CNN Center. The security there right now is unbelievable--cops everywhere. My briefcase was searched twice.

Anyway, I got the whole behind-the-scenes tour of CNN Interactive. I was so excited that I am afraid I might have come across as a bubble head at first.

I was taken to a board room that overlooks Centennial Olympic Park and the city--what a fantastic view! WOW! My interviewer was nice, but a little reserved. I think I got a bit rattled at the beginning--CNN has always been my dream. I was overwhelmed by it all, but once I settled down, I think I gained my footing.

I am disappointed in myself for getting "spazzy" at the beginning, but I think I recovered well. Metaphorically speaking, I think I made the basket, but it wasn't the slam dunk I had hoped for. I feel good about it, but I really couldn't "read" my interviewer.

Either way, it was an absolutely amazing experience. I had so much fun and feel very positive and confident at just having been asked to interview. :)

I will definitely keep you posted!

AOE,
Jen

Yea Jen!!! I was just about to post asking how it went and will be thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed until you hear. Off to chapter meetings... The life of an advisor. FUN!

aoe,

Laura

Yippe! I got the job!
 

I am thrilled to report that I got the job at CNN. I got the call about an hour ago. I start Monday. Hip, hip hooray! :)

Jen

CONGRATULATIONS!
 

Jen, that is so wonderful and exciting! I am so proud of you and happy for you and you've really made my day eight millions times better!

Have a very fun weekend -- celebrate your socks off!

Laura

What an awesome Alpha Phi!
 

Congratulations Jen!!!! From one Red Raider to another. You represent Texas Tech well!!!! Good Luck on monday!


-Ryan:D :D :D :D

Applause 4 U!
 

Congrats Jen! Way to go. I am proud of you. :)

Congrats, I am very happy for you!!!! :) :D :cool: :) :D :cool:

So what will you being doing at CNN??

Congrats!!!

Here's the Scoop/Thanks!
 

First I want to thank all the people who have wished me well. It sounds kind of dumb, but it really means a lot. Thanks so much!

Secondly, Silver&Bordeaux: I never answered your question about which spa I went to--It was Jolie Day Spa (in Buckhead).

Finally, here's the latest. I go in tomorrow to get my badge, fill out paperwork, etc. All this week I will be learning the CNN system and style of programming. I will be working at CNN Interactive. I am really nervous, but excited beyond belief. I will get to work in the newsroom and help deliver news and information to CNN's worldwide audience. :) It is really the realization of a dream--to get to work for CNN. I was a journalism/english major and I always saw CNN as the pinnacle--I never imagined it would all come so soon in my career.

Anyway, I will keep you all up to date. Again, thanks for the positive wishes and supportive thoughts. I appreciate you all so much!

Jen

Jen. we can't wait to hear about the first day (even if it is just getting your badge, etc).

I am so excited for you!!!!

aoe,

Laura

First Day...
 

I got back about an hour ago from my first day at CNN. I didn't get my badge or do my paperwork today as I had been told I would. The HR office was closed for some reason, so I spent most of the day sitting in the newsroom, watching the interaction between the editorial and web staff. I learned a lot today!

I actually got to see Dr. David Satcher, the US Surgeon General. He was at CNN Center for "Talk Back Live" (a daily interactive townhall meeting hosted by Bobbie Batista). He came back into the newsroom after the taping for a one-on-one interview. It was neat to get to watch it all take place.

I can't describe how cool it is to work in the newsroom. It is a beehive of activity. On each desk there is a computer and a 13" television (usually turned to CNN--natch!). There is an awesome breakroom (that sounds silly, I know), but it looks like a set for a television series. It has this nifty little bar, where people sit and eat. There is a fridge, tons of vending machines, full kitchen, espresso maker (!). It seriously looks like the set of "Friends" or something.

The people I met today were nice. Many of them are little on the intense side, but with everything going on (and news breaking all the time), I understand.

Tomorrow, I will get my badge, fill out paperwork, and get the whole Turner System HR lecture. I can get a free commuter rail (MARTA) pass, so I am looking forward to that (parking at CNN Center is heck!).

That's about it. I was very nervous when I got there today. I had a lot of the typical self doubt--can I do this? am I really qualified? But talking to one of my co-workers assuaged these fears. I feel much better now. :)

Again, thanks for caring. I will continue to report on my experiences at CNN. If you have any questions just post 'em here! "Talk" to you all soon!

Jen

Still loving it!
 

Jen

Yeah Jen! Let us know about all the exciting things going on there at CNN Center! I am the biggest CNN fan. Headline News is the only reason I have cable and cnn.com is my homepage. Yes, I know I am a geek, but does that really surprise anyone? LOL.

aoe,

Laura

First Week Wrap Up...
 

Laura: I know what you mean! I was such a CNN freak--that I really thought I bombed out on the interview by being so enthusiastic and excited just to be there!

Everyday I walk by the "Talk Back Live" set, sometimes during taping. It is SO cool.

BTW, who is your favorite CNN personality? I really love Christiane Amanpour (the Chief International News Correspondent)--she is so amazing and brave. I also really like Bill Hemmer and Joie Chen ("Newsite")

Anyway, I just finished my first week. It was a good one. I got my badge (!!!) :) and filled out all the paperwork, etc. After the second day I was basically on my own. Wow! It is so much fun. I watch CNN all day long, which I absolutely love and have met some of the most amazing people.

It's fantastic. :)

Jen

Bravo!!!
 

A marvelous start to a potentially amazing career....
i keep cnn on in my classroom without sound 24/7...it is that good.
cheers
mmcat
:D :p

Jen,

Wow. Congratulations on reaching your dream. I wish you the best of luck at CNN :) I love watching that channel. I'd say that Natalie Allen is my fav.

Kevin

bravo....
 

a perfect time, a perfect place, and a perfect girl.
we are all proud of you.
cnn is not just playing the palace...
it is, for some, the palace.
congrats
mmcat
:p :D ;) :) :cool:

I want to say "thanks" again to those who have kindly expessed their support. It means a lot. :)

Jen

It's not just support, it's jealousy! You are my idol!

Hope you're loving every moment of it!

aoe,

Laura

Here's a pic I took the day of my interview. When things slow down, I'll take some pix of the newsroom and the "Jetsons"-style breakroom. :)

Pic Taken Outside CNN

I spent last night doing interactives for the Emmys for CNN.com . It was FUN! More later.

AOE,
Jen

Yeah Jen! Keep on posting. I love to hear about your job!

Laura

I saw Joie Chen...
 

Hi again,

A few tid-bits of my work week so far...

First, I saw Joie Chen both yesterday and today. She's so adorable!

Second, the television program "Access Hollywood" was in our newsroom Monday to film a segment they are doing about CNN. I got to watch them setting up the shots, doing the interviews, etc. They said we should watch 'cause we might be in the background shots. Word is that one of our writer/reporters is interviewing for a job with "Access Hollywood."

Third, I worked on the Emmy special section for CNN.com on Sunday. I created the photo gallery of celeb fashions. It was so hectic. We also had to post the winners as they were announced--craziness! Anyway, I will post a link to the photo gallery in case anyone wants to check it out. :)

That's about it for now. Still having fun.

AOE,
Jen

Emmys Links...
 

Here's the link to the Emmys page I worked on. Click here!

When you get to the page, look to the right-hand side of the screen for "Fashions 2001 Gallery." (Look for the picture of Edie Falco.) Click the image of Edie (above Calista Flockhart's picture) to see the gallery I put together. :)

I also put together the complete list of winners, also available on the page above.

AOE,
Jen

Awesome job Jen! It sounds like your job is a blast. Thanks for posting the links. I love hearing about CNN behind the scenes! ;)

"Jetsons-style" breakroom
 

Here's a link to a picture of the outside of that hip little breakroom I am always talking about.

Click here to see the picture...

I took some pix of the newsroom, but they didn't come out too well. I'll try again tomorrow.

AOE,
Jen

Hey Jen :)

Glad to hear your having fun with your job. Thanks for posting the picture and links :) I love reading about your experiences.

Kevin
Beta Theta Pi

congrats jen
 

it sounds like you are having a ball and doing a great job.
congrats on a solid home run.
mmcat
:D :) :p :cool:

Crazy Busy...
 

After a very quiet weekend, today news was breaking like pinatas at a birthday party.

I spent nine hours working on the American Airlines Flight 587 crash story, the General War on Terror story (while I was at work we confirmed and reported that the Taliban was retreating from Kabul), and the story of the USAirways plane that was diverted to Washington's Dulles Airport at the behest of a sky marshall (turned out to be a drunk guy causing a commotion).

It was so crazy--but very exciting and fun. Well, I have to go to sleep now so I can get up and do it all again tomorrow. :)

AOE,
Jen

Something kind of cool...
 

Our newsroom was recently moved to its current location. Anyway, they have been doing work on it ever since I got there. Over the past few days, they have been setting up a set from which reporters will do their news reports.

Today was the first day the set was "live." It was really cool because the reporters sat with their backs to us (like you see on TV). There are monitors facing the reporters so they can see themselves (we can all see the monitors from our vantage point). The teleprompters are also facing them (so they are, likewise, facing us). It was really neat to watch them filming. I really enjoyed it. One of these days you might just turn on CNN and see me in the background. ;)

That's my update for now. If you're still interested, I'll keep 'em coming.

Jen

Hey Jen. Keep it rolling :)

Kevin

Awesome info Jen! I've enjoyed hearing all about what you're doing. :)