Is this your first day? No, actually it's my last!

Friday, August 8th

I woke up this morning to catch an early train from University Park to ensure I would get to the office downtown on time. Another day, another day, it's just another day---I tried to tell myself.  I couldn't help but try to ignore all the memories that flooded my mind from "The Best Summer" I ever had . I was somewhat relieved to be done, but saddened at the same time. I had made so many friends, formed great connections by networking, attended a great deal of concerts, and most of all---I gained knowledge, experience and reassurance that this is exactly what I want to do when I graduate.

Sitting on the Metra, I reminisced about my favorite memories of the summer: John Mayer concert, meeting up-and-coming bands, free CD's, meeting the DJ's at XRT, calling win

ners to tell them they won front row seats to their favorite bands, working for Chicago's top rock radio station...the list could go on. The short hour trip quickly came to a halt as I found myself at Millennium Station for the last time. I walked up to the busy streets of Chicago and made my way down Michigan Avenue towards the NBC Tower.

I walked in the door, expecting to see the usual security guard at the desk in the lobby fully equipped with at least nine flat screen television sets with one always tuned to NBC.

 Unfortunately, she wasn't there, but rather another woman who asked me who I was there to see. I responded with, "Well, I'm an XRT Intern." After making a pass for me, she asked, "Is this your first day?" I couldn't help but laugh and replied with, "No, actually this is my last day." I guess she didn't recognize my new driver's license picture (which by the way took almost two hours to get--thank you DMV).

I headed up to the sixth floor and ran into one of the guys from 670THE SCORE who was so kind enough to open the door for me. We talked for a brief moment about what I was hoping to do after graduation and I got to work right away with my daily duties. I started off by entering V.I.P. forms into our system and checking the voicemail, returning phone calls and answering listeners questions. I also arranged a call sheet for the list of winners to be contacted for an upcoming concert and notified that they had won. Another task I was given was to arrange a gift bag of XRT items including tee-shirts, hats, can koozies, key chains, stickers and CD's for one of our clients. I packaged it and mail it off to them.

It may sound like a lot of work, but I don't mind working in the office at all. I understand it may be busy work, but it's "real" work. I've learned that this industry is equally as much fun as it is business. Understanding that having fun at a concert or street event always means that there is a professional side of everything we do. Planning the events and coordinating every little detail with sponsors, the site of the event and your employees needs to happen first before the concert, street festival or XRT event can occur. I've been a constant part of this planning for several events as well as being in attendance of the event.

Before I knew it, my day was half over. The interns and I 

went to Regal Beagle for lunch. In case you didn't know, it's the restaurant featured in Three's Company! This is another thing I have really enjoyed about this internship: having the opportunity to take in the city life. Now, I'm not talking a

bout the sights of the city or the fast-paced lifestyle or even the transportation--because believe me, I have relied on and now swear by public transportation! I'm talking about the culture and the chance to taste Chicago. Going out to lunch once a week has allowed me to experience the different ethnic food and absorb the lifestyle of living in this great city. Sure, Regal Beagle isn't exactly what one thinks of when the Windy City is mentioned, but it sure was fun to walk back into the '70's!

After returning from lunch, the interns and I recalled memories from the summer with the Promotions Staff. I helped update the website and the shows for the following week. I said my goodbye's and headed out the door to work one of my last events for XRT, at the Chicago Theatre.

If you have never been to the Chicago Theatre,

 you wouldn't miss it. The bright red lights of the theatre read "Chicago" in bold vertical letters in front of the building -- a popular landmark that actually appears in some movies! The grand entrance will literally take your breath away with it's elegant and lavish decor. One might feel like royalty when the grandiose staircase is revealed. All of this for a Melissa Etheridge concert! 

For some events, such as this one, the interns are sent on a mission to simply promote the 

station and give people a visual representation of our station. I handed out stickers and sported an XRT t-shirt while Melissa's fans waited for the doors to open. I even had the opportunity to talk to our contest winner who won 

a pair of front row tickets and backstage passes to see Melissa. I really enjoyed being a representative for a major radio station in Chicago and talking to all sorts of fans and listeners.

I made my way back to the Metra to go home.

It's been a fun ride, and I definitely had the ride of my life this summer.

This is Intern Heather signing off...