Intern Diaries: Victoria at NYC

For some, summertime doesn’t mean downtime. It’s just another opportunity to travel, get an internship or otherwise move up in the world. But since you can’t do it all, INsite tracked down several students in places from Thailand to Miami, New York to Paris. Every week, we share their experiences with you. Last week, you read about Gayane in Jacksonville. This week, we bring you Victoria in New York City.

New York City really is everything everyone says it is. Nobody sleeps, the skyline is pure magic at night and the city has a pulse all its own. This is my second summer in the Isle of Manhattan, and I wouldn’t trade it in for anything in the world. As a member of the American Society of Magazine Editors internship program, I’m learning new things every day while making friendships that will last a lifetime. There are 24 of us interning at various magazines, from Glamour to Sports Illustrated.

I was chosen to work at More Magazine, a magazine for the sophisticated, stylish older woman. Already, I’m two weeks into my 10-week program. Can’t believe how fast it’s going.

Every morning I’m up at 6:45am and take the bus/ferry/subway commute from Staten Island to the city. I live in a gorgeous three-story historical house with an old family friend and her two kids.

I feel more like a native New Yorker each day that passes. I’m falling into a comfortable routine—the little old man at the corner deli that I go to every morning for egg whites on a roll and coffee knows my order by heart. It’s only $3 and fills me up until lunch. Some mornings, he even sneaks me extra coffee.

Along with my routine, I’ve learned there are a few, must-carry-at-all-times essentials that I can’t go without:

• Change of Shoes: Every morning on my way into the city, I see women dressed to the nine’s in nice business suits or chic dresses with (surprisingly) flip-flops on their feet. Everyone has polished toes (these days, the color of choice is purple or anything florescent), adding a splash of color to their sophisticated outfits. Once they get to the office, though, they swap out their Havaiana’s for stilettos. This week, my toes are a bright red, and I feel a camaraderie with the other immaculately manicured commuting women.
• Umbrella: For the most part, the weather has been absolutely crisp and gorgeous—sunny and breezy with a hint of electricity in the air. The one day it did rain, however, I learned a valuable lesson about carrying an umbrella. I was headed to a networking event at the Boat Basin and emerged from the subway to sheets of cold, relentless rain. Not wanting to show up to the event looking like a drowned rat, I ducked inside a Filene’s Basement and purchased a $15 umbrella. It sounds expensive, but staying dry is totally worth it. Now, I never leave without it.
• iPod: This little thing has become like another appendage. My headphones are never far from my ears, and the Silversun Pickups are always playing at all times. For every woman with painted toes, there are at least four more with telltale ear buds blocking out the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.
• Book: You never know when you’re going to get stuck on a train or find yourself waiting on the ferry. I’m still getting used to some of the transportation schedules, and there have been quite a few times having a book came in handy. Already I’ve finished four books and am working my way through a fifth.

In the coming weeks, I have lots of networking luncheons as a part of the ASME program. Some of the places we’ll be schmoozing and eating are The New Yorker, Real Simple and Parents magazine. Each day at work is a new adventure, more exciting than the last. I’m starting to work on health and book slideshows for More’s website, as well as interviewing women entrepreneurs for an inspiring how-to piece. I could definitely get used to this lifestyle.

—Victoria Phillips

Just in case you’ve missed any, here’s the complete series (as of yet):

• Gayane rediscovers her hometown.
• Gabriela’s experience with The Miami Herald.
• Jillian’s top 10 list of things to do in Washington, DC.
• Meghan’s adventures in Rome.
• Lane’s account of Paris.
• Allison’s excavation adventures.
• Sarah’s intern experience/self-doubts/panic attacks.

Return to the INsite website here.