I've got an awesome opportunity to intern at the Comic Art Gallery in Liberty. I'm excited to be surrounded by artwork that I personally enjoy, COMIC BOOKS!!! This isn't a comic book store, it's a gallery. This place contains facts of the amazing history of comics. I'll be participation in any events this exhibition holds, along with setting things up, or doing my own research on any up coming installments to this gallery. I'm nervous to be in this new environment. There isn't too many people that work here so most of my days will be by myself and I won't have any personal company besides my mentor. Lorelei Bunjes, my adviser, is super cool and seems chill. She has many projects for me to do during my time there. I'm reminded to relax and not stress too much. She offers a lot of help and seems like a go with the flow kinda gal. I feel more comfortable knowing that we can count on each other.
WEEK ONE
Wednesday/May 16th, 2018: First Week
Starting off in a new place is always a bit scary. Something that I worry the most is the quality of my work. Will it be good enough? What if it doesn't meet expectation? My mentor's office is in another building, so I am hesitant to go to her and ask questions. She gave me a office for myself... well, I'm not completely alone because Jayden is also in my internship- but I fear that the partnership may have miscommunications or have a one sided work load. I've never worked with him before so I don't know what to expect. Besides form that there is nothing else I could be nervous about.
The great thing about working in a gallery is the fact that you are surrounded by tons of neat facts and history!! (This is where I can take advantage of this amazing opportunity). Since we work in a comic gallery, this is not the average art that you learn about. The whole building is connected to IDW publishing! I had know idea, I just thought that it was only a gallery. Looks may be deceiving but there is a lot of people that work here (they all just live upstairs).
I got a tour of it on my first day, but on my third day we worked with a huge 4th grade class and gave them a in depth tour of what all the staff do. I know this visit was for the kids, yet I gained a lot about the members of this community.
Friday/ May 18th, 2018: Interview
My mentor is awesome and she let us interview her! I got too know a lot of neat stuff about her and she gave us really good advice about working.
Lorelei gave a lot of good advice! even after the interview. She really puts her best foot forward when it comes to this job. This is everything that she wished for! People always say "Follow your dreams and they'll come true" but its easier said than done. Lorelei is proof of that saying!!! She told us that she has always loved comics and look at her now, working for a comic company. I learned that there are a lot of trials or obstacles you have to face in order to get to your destination. Not to sound cliche or anything, however these words are something we take for granted and I gained a better appreciation for the hard working people out there!
WEEK TWO
Wednesday/ May 23rd, 2018:
In all honesty, I haven't came across any challenges (besides from working with Jayden). I've mainly obtained more skills or grew stronger in certain areas. My mentors and peers are very supportive. I always come into work with a "You can do anything" attitude because they really helped me believe that. I can admit, there are times that a task is too hard or that I need help but like any other problem you should try to do your best and ask for help if its really needed.
I've made a lot of posters since I started working. A lot of those got critique and it made me gain a better sense of small details. Something as simple as a poster can go through many drafts.
Friday/ May May 25th, 2018: Contribution
(I didn't get to document certain events because it got too busy or I felt like it would be weird to whip out my camera)
Week 1: Make ads/posters for the Crossover Event, Set up exhibition space for meeting, Host/Give tour to school, clean up.
Week 2: More posters!, Prep for upcoming event; Change light bulbs, print flyers, stamp bags, create VIP pass, make goodie bags, organize hand outs, set up space, make a food stand, set chairs, decorations, pass out flyers, manage check in, clean up!
WEEK THREE
Wednesday/ May 30th, 2018: School VS Externship
In school skills like poster/flyer making, exhibition (before and after presenting), and presentation skills have really helped me during this internship. Since day one I've been pumping out posters for any upcoming events they have. I have a better idea of what should be on flyers and what should stand out. It seems like an easy task but it takes a good hour or so to make a nice poster. In my last internship I was doing the same thing and I'd have to say I have really grown since then. My posters look more professional and not over complicated. Exhibition over all has helped in many ways! Preparing a spotlight moment for a project is such a challenge. With the experience I have from exhibition I know how to work with a team and prep a nice scene for the exhibition. Practicing what you're about to do for a presentation is also key! Presentation weather its overall look or speaking is a skill important at school and here.
Events that we've hosted are just like exhibition but bigger named people, atmosphere, and certain procedures are different from school. At school it's all student led, which is cool, so are main focus is on us and our projects as for this internship- The guest speakers are the center of attention and our job is to make them look pretty. We make the event special towards them and its not really about us. Most of the people that go to our school exhibitions are our parents however, at these events we are normally hosting for strangers! It makes me more nervous to know that but it really showed me how real these events are. Overall everything at work has it's own way of going about things.
Friday/June 1st, 2018: A Challenge?
At work I feel like I don't really have the power to change ***MAJOR*** things around. NOT saying that I don't make a difference at my work place BUT that there is a set way of doing things here. I can't change projects that are set in motion or handle the big jobs done here. I do what I'm told and at my best quality. I don't want this job to sound like a slice of cake but for all the "refine" or "small" things I do they are just as important as anyone else job in the building.
I DO* run into challenges when working however, I don't find them as an amazing story to tell or they were outstanding. Example(s):
We had an event where people would take their seats and fill out the paper surveys that we left on their chairs. The issue we ran into was that we didn't have enough pens and pencils. My best idea was to spread out the writing tools to every other person so that almost everyone would get a pen and at least had someone next to them that had one so they could share.
At the gallery we hosted an event that included a lot of electrical devices. We only had two outlets and we needed to figure a way where we can plug everything in but also have wires be out of the way when people were at the site. In my office space I found extension chords that could be helpful during this show. I found out a way to strategically plug in everything and I taped the wires to be against the wall side so its out of the way.
(I have many stories like these and I'm more than glad to talk about them. They aren't too exciting and I didn't find them frustrating, more like they were moments when I was a secret hero for a small time issue.)
I'm kind of quiet in this video because the office is supper quiet and there are a lot of visitors the stop by while I work and they can hear me from the outside when I speak.
WEEK FOUR
Wednesday/ June 6th, 2018: Mind Map
I have a lot of good things to say about work and its environment! I respect the company and all the amazing recurrence that comes fro it. This isn't a job to judge! The staff/employees are hard working individuals who are fun to be around. There is always something to do while you are here and it is fun to set up events because you get to be a part of something really interesting. I love working at the comic art gallery.
BUT
Not to complain (even though its very small stuff) there are a few cons to working here: I do wish the trash and bathroom were a bit closer lol. My work load isn't easy but it's not hard either... It makes sense since its just "inter" tasks- but I would say my workload is uneven, I feel like I do most of the work vs Jayden (this isn't something to blame the company on but this is a con I had while working here) but maybe that's something we personally need to work on.
In all honesty this so far has been a great experience and I'm glad to have this job.