Yes, that’s what the email from Yolanda, the college recruiter at AOL, said sometime this past week. The smattering of interns working with AOL this summer are all halfway through their jobs and thus, their summers – myself included.
I’ve neglected to keep my own website up-to-date this summer. Work really plays a part – when I get home, I don’t want to sit down in front of my computer after spending eight hours at a computer. Either way, I have a free weekend, so I’m posting this and doing some work tomorrow, too.
I want to upgrade to WordPress 3.0, and change up my layout/theme. The current theme was custom-designed by yours truly. It was a massive undertaking and great learning experience. I don’t have the time to re-code a new theme, so I may let some other people take over. I found a great design from WooThemes, and with some tweaks, it may be what I am looking for.
Some updates on my life since beginning the internship with AOL:
New iToys
I purchased the new iPhone 4 on launch day – went to Fair Oaks and hung out with some other “defruited” friends in line. Had a great time and it’s been entertaining following the hoopla surrounding the antenna and things. Supposedly I’ll get a free Bumper case from Apple now, though whether or not I use it is yet to be seen.
I also acquired an iPad. No, I didn’t buy it. Rather, I won it on Twitter. I entered a Twitter contest to show someone on my team at work how they operated. The next Monday, I had a call from the nice people at Speck Products telling me that I had won their “iPad for Dad” giveaway! How cool is that… I never win anything, so it was pretty awesome. Thanks again, Speck, for the 16 GB iPad, two cases, $50 to iTunes, and free swanky T-shirt! So far, I haven’t devoted much time to finding cool, outside-the-box apps for it. My goal is to have it prepped for the fall semester at JMU, hopefully to use as a note-taking device in class.
Car Parts
With a “big boy job” such as my AOL internship comes a “big boy paycheck” every two weeks. It’s been a huge help/relief to have steady money coming in – and that is definitely a plus for graduating and getting a good job. I like expensive things, and I like paying for them myself.
So, with these paychecks, I’ve put a little bit of money into the Miata to keep everything up to spec. I had been making a list of the small things I wanted, that were not critical, to replace in due time. I finally ordered and installed a majority of the parts. New shift boots, dipstick, washer fluid system and PCV system, to name a few.
Next up is a set of V-Maxx coilovers from Flyin’ Miata. I need to call and clarify a few things on Monday before I order them. It should be a great replacement and upgrade from the tired stock suspension pieces.
This AOL Internship
Okay, okay, enough about cars and iPads, what about the sweetest part of my summer, my internship? Well, it’s been a blast so far. I’ve met some really great people and my team is small but focused. AOL as a whole is focusing all of their efforts this summer into completely turning the company around. They helped bring the Internet to the masses back in the day, sort of lost their focus with Time Warner in the early 2000’s, and now they’re focusing on content.
This is a monumental time to be interning with the AOL team. I feel very fortunate to have earned the internship, and am trying hard to meet people through those I already know while I am with AOL. The interns had a video conference with Tim Armstrong, the CEO, and he encouraged us to email him with suggestions for the Mobile team. I emailed him at 4:00 that afternoon (for the record, it was a Friday) and he replied back within the hour. What a guy. He also forwarded my suggestions on to two other executives, Brad Garlinghouse (director of mobile) and David Eun (director of media). They both thanked me directly as well. David Eun happened to be in the Dulles office this past Thursday, and I got to meet him in person – again, a great opportunity.
I’m not sure what will happen after I head back to JMU on August 20, but I’ve really had a great time so far.
Other Happenings
I’m trying to get in touch with David Harris at Mazda, and Scott Monty at Ford. They are the two heads of social media management for their respective companies. I admire what both companies have done in the social realm as of late, and it’d be so great to be able to get a phone call or email with either (or both) of them and find out how to join their team after I graduate. We’ll see what happens regarding getting in contact. Hmm.
OK, this is long enough… hopefully a new design will happen in the next few days!