Coming out of my shell

My second week as an intern for the Hai Media Group has been great. My blog database has turn into a massive list of essential bloggers and their contact details, I went to an exclusive party for audioBoo, I also learn a lot about social networks and many more.

To start with I discovered www.alltop.com. This website helps a lot when you are trying to find the right blogs for your PR 2.0 strategy. Technorati blog directory seemed great at the beginning but the blogs tend to appear more than once, which only mean more work for you.
It would be fantastic if somebody managed to get all those categories, names, and contacts into one online database or programme. I think that people would be willing to pay for it. It would save so much time! I know that FeaturesExec and Media Disc can do a lot but still...the online world is different every day.

Just in the middle of my hunt for bloggers, the hidden reality of living in London came unexpectedly and hit hard. My boss Lisa Devaney had a serious incident with a ruthless biker in the middle of the day! He nearly poked her eye out! When I received the news I was completely horrified. Middle of the day, a busy street and the last thing you expect is this to happen. We all should learn a lesson from this. We don’t know what is going on in other people’s minds. The reaction that we expect may not happen at all or happen but in a completely sick way. And you can end up with a swollen eye or maybe worse.

Thursday was a highlight of my week. I was heading to the exclusive audioBoo party held down at SUN Microsystem. Lisa overcame the shock from the incident, which was very brave of her as her eye wasn’t properly healed yet. My very own beautiful business cards arrived and we were ready to network.

This certainly sounds like fun for most of people but I was tiny bit nervous as I didn’t know anyone there. I am a member of the famous Generation Y, people who understand technology, computers and the online world but when it comes to face to face contact ... Oh dear! I am not good and I know it. Well, need more practice I suppose and lots of courage. I didn’t really feel like coming to the party at all but Lisa made me come, which turned up to be the right decision. The party was fun! You got to talk to really great and well respected people. As a Uni student you only sit and listen to the great people but there you can actually join in a conversation about the future of the newspapers (or something). Isn’t that great? I think that every Uni should think of putting on event for students as well as lecturers.

Internship is considered to be a hands-on experience. Students are supposed to learn and improve all sorts of skills to become more competitive in the current job market. Unfortunately some people end up making teas and coffees and picking up dry cleaning. This certainly doesn’t apply to me and I am thankful for that. I am slowly coming out of my safety shell and getting used the idea that I am a PR consultant (at least for the time of my internship).

The next week will bring even more interesting things but for now, let’s enjoy the rare sunshine that decided to come to London this weekend.