Sometimes you have to bet on yourself to get what you want in journalism.
My entire summer at Sporting News in Charlotte, N.C. was a wonderful experience and I’m very grateful it happened. Applying for internships is a stressful period for college students, especially ones in their final few months. After what I accomplished leading up to fall 2014, I felt very confident as a prospect. So when I sent out 32 applications to newspapers and television stations for their programs, you couldn’t tell me nothing. Well, virtually all of them actually didn’t tell me nothing. Sporting News was the only entity to respond to my application. They gave me a chance when others didn’t. I was determined to get out of Milwaukee after completing all three of my previous internships in the city. Of those 32 applications I sent out, none of them were in Wisconsin. I wanted to go somewhere, so I bet on myself by not having a backup plan at home, and I’m happy it worked out. I don't have any regrets. I think everybody in journalism should have the confidence to take a risk like I did. Charlotte is seriously the best city for anybody in their 20s and 30s (sorry 40-year-olds). The food, downtown atmosphere and job market is great for young people on the rise. That's what really helped me adjust to everything so quickly. Charlotte wasn't really a culture shock, I felt at ease. I would definitely move back (with an actual bed this time) in a heartbeat because I loved my time there that much. I can't thank them enough for the opportunity. Five thoughts on food in Charlotte (yes I am doing this): 1. Hot take: Bojangles' is trash. I'm saying this because it tastes just like chicken I've already had. A lot of people hype up the food they serve as being something award-winning and delicious that you can’t get anywhere else. Child please. Give me my Popeyes. I’ll just go ahead and turn off my Twitter notifications for the rest of the week. 2. I can mess with Cook-Out. I dig the huge list of milkshakes and the tray combo is overall pretty nice. Tip: Don't EVER go in the second line at the drive-thru. 3. Midwood Smokehouse is the best spot to grab barbecue in the city. The pulled pork is good, but the ribs (dry rubbed or sauced) are the dagger. They were amazing both times I had them. Perfectly coated, flavorful and tender. Oh, and don’t forget a side of mac & cheese. 4. It’s a travesty that more people don't know that Culvers is located 15-20 minutes from downtown Charlotte. The Wisconsin bias is showing obviously, but everybody loves butter burgers and custard. C'mon, step your advertising game up, Queen City. 5. Publix subs go hard in the paint. I could care less about the crab legs (sorry, Jameis). Whenever I didn't have time to prepare a dinner, Publix subs were there for me. Shoutout to Denzel for always having my chicken wraps on point. Other Charlotte thoughts: — I still don’t know why I thought it was a decent idea to wear sweatpants and a hoodie my first day in the city. If I didn’t have good air conditioning, I wouldn’t have survived the heat all summer. — TOO MANY ONE-WAY STREETS. — I really appreciate the fact that none of the Walmart's I went to were ratchet. — Maybe it’s just the people in general, but whenever I told somebody in Charlotte I was from Wisconsin, they didn’t freak out or say anything ridiculous (OK, one woman didn’t know where Milwaukee was, but still). Glad I didn’t have to explain where I’m from to people as if I drove 14 hours from another planet.
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Behind the BroadcasterThis blog displays topics that interest me -- including culture, entertainment, music, and life experiences.
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