Ojay All
Intern, Business and Legal Affairs

When I was home recently to visit family, I had a chance to meet up with one of my friends for coffee. As I neared the bottom of my second cup, my friend asked, "So, what type of work do lawyers do at National Geographic Channel?" That was an excellent question. While everyone knows that lawyers can defend them in court, prepare a will, or finalize a divorce, fewer (including myself before entering law school) are familiar with their work in obscure areas such as television, media, and entertainment.

This summer, through my internship in the Business and Legal Affairs Department at National Geographic Channel in Washington, D.C., I've had the opportunity to learn first-hand the integral role lawyers play in operating an international cable channel. From negotiating and drafting contractual agreements for new programs, to protecting NatGeo's intellectual property from copyright infringement, the attorneys I work with interact with departments across the channel and are involved in most major business decisions.

By Katie Jewett
Intern, Research, Standards, and Practices

At the juncture of 17th and M, the institution famed for its yellow frame bustles with activity. Throughout my first day (or few weeks for that matter), I couldn't quite grasp that this was the place where it all comes together--the stories, photographs, and footage that have comprised America's lens on the world for over a century. The atmosphere of the place seemed to pulse with a contagious sense of adventure, history, and enthusiasm which has only become more apparent with time.

By Christine Gosney
Intern, NGC Creative

With only one more week left for me at NGC and many interns already gone, here are some things I've been reflecting on about my summer internship at Nat Geo:

-There's something for everyone to watch on our channel and to do at work.
-It's about the stories--the visuals, the sounds, and the visceral feeling of being right there.
-Having a renowned, credible society behind us means the work we all output needs to meet high standards.
-Every day is different.
-Great people make a job great.
-It's not always about getting ahead, but paying attention to what you're doing right now... and contributing your best.

This summer I worked with the Creative team to write and produce promos to air on our channel.  Here are some highlights:
-A promo can be a 30-second powerhouse.  Or even 10 seconds.
-Writing is a muscle and needs exercise.
-We work with all kinds of footage from shows: beautiful, captivating, and stirring.
-Have something for everyone.  Grab people's attention in different ways.  
-Tell what's new about this story.
-When people passionately tell their own story, it packs a punch.  Even if it's only a 3-second sound bite in a promo.
-Simplicity.
-Inform.  Captivate.

It's been a fantastic summer at Nat Geo!  With one week left, I have no doubt that my list of things I've learned will grow.  The most important thing I've learned: NGC is a perfect environment to gain experience and to grow, so apply to intern if you're interested.  You won't regret it.

Rachael Cansler
Intern, Creative and Marketing
National Geographic Domestic Home Entertainment

Young professionals are entering a world market rampant with issues I'm sure our parents never had to deal with fresh out of college. With many of us facing menial, or no, entry level professions often completely sidetracked from what we'd really like to do, the dark shadow of loan repayment and grown-up bills cast over us, it's difficult to feel optimistic about saying "goodbye" to textbooks and "hello" to nine-to-five and pantyhose. Furthermore, given the state of the union, the idea of relocating seems like a geographical game of roulette that could make or break how quickly graduates wean themselves off ramen noodles powder-mix Gatorade. Suddenly growing up appears an insurmountable colossus and I find myself considering graduate school as a means of prolonging my oblivion to such dire considerations--and don't even think about mentioning interest rates to me.

Grace Ross
Intern, Creative and Marketing
International Channel

'Networking' is one of the reoccurring terms that seems to pop up in all of the NGC 101 intern meetings; connections, good attitude, and passion also count among the more frequent. Twice a week all the Channel interns gather to listen to speakers representing every department, effectively following the path of a show, from Acquisitions and Development to Marketing and Legal. These meetings, known as NGC 101, not only provide an opportunity to learn about the departments, but also to meet the people within and engage directly with them, helping to establish the connections we hear so much about. Unlike many of our parents, the young generation of today must rely on connections and networking in order to land a job. The NGC 101 sessions are a wonderful chance to hone these networking skills, helping the interns prepare for the cutthroat nature of the current job market.

Working for the International Channel has also given me an interesting perspective within NGC 101, revealing distinctions and differences between the domestic and international market that I never would have been aware of. A few weeks ago CJ Fahey, from Nat Geo Music, spoke to the International Channel's interns. Before the meeting, for homework, CJ provided a CD that gave us some examples of the kind of music aired on the Channel. I loved the wide variety of music represented, types of music rarely heard within the US from all around the world. The exposure to new forms of music canceled out the fact that I was doing homework over summer break. As singing is one of my passions, to meet someone who was more passionate than I about music was a definite highlight of my time at Nat Geo.

Lilly Lukas
Intern, Digital Media

On Tuesday, the interns were given the opportunity to speak with National Geographic staff photographer Mark Thiessen, who has worked with National Geographic since 1990. Almost everyone recognizes National Geographic for its stunning, world-renown images, so needless to say, a lot of interns showed up. Probably about half of the group wished they were Thiessen. Amateur photographers would kill seriously injure for his "dream job." Photographing a forest fire beats a desk job any day.

"But how do we get to where you are?" asked one eager intern. We were all secretly wondering the same. Thiessen's answer was disheartening, but honest. Back in the good old days, you could work your way to the top. Start as a mail boy or copy girl (a.k.a. The Intern), and in a few years, you're driving a Bentley with "IMACEO" on the license plate. If only you work hard enough. These days, disappointingly, this American dream seems to be just that. Are we the generation who must make a name for itself elsewhere before we find our desired path? According to Thiessen, to work as a photographer at National Geographic: yes.