Combat Boots and Obstacle Courses: A Day in the Life of a Summer Intern

Emily Gajewski is a senior digital media major. This summer, she is working as a videographer intern for the Leader’s Training Course, an Army ROTC program in Fort Knox, Ky. She will create an end-of-cycle video for a company of cadets with whom she will be embedded when they arrive July 3. Until then, she works on small video projects that highlight various components of the training course by interviewing cadets, drill sergeants, instructors and other officers. Following is a first-person glimpse into Gajewski’s summer internship experience:
My alarm goes off at 7:15 a.m. I turn it off and fall back onto the hotel bed, considering for a brief moment going back to sleep. Finally, I convince myself to roll out of bed into a pair of jeans and my PAO shirt. Pack my lunch, eat my breakfast, lace up my combat boots, and out the door about 8:15 a.m. Five minutes later, I’m showing my I.D. to the gate guards and 10 minutes down the road, I’m pulling into a parking spot.
Working in the Public Affairs Office (PAO) for the Leader’s Training Course (LTC) has been an awesome experience so far and has opened me up to invaluable opportunities. Almost every day, I am picking up my video camera and taping the cadets going through their training; I’ve even had the opportunity to try my hand at some of the obstacles.
Even though I have only been here a short time, this internship is already pushing me both mentally and physically. Every day, I am pushed to step out of my comfort zone and become a better professional. No other internship would have me climbing a rock wall or planning on rappelling 50 feet with the support of drill sergeants and cadets. From interviewing officers and cadets to meeting my weekly deadlines, I am learning how being passionate about your work helps motivate you to the finished product. I am learning to overcome the fears that have been holding me back as a videographer professional.
In a few weeks, I will start my big project of being embedded in a cadet company, following them through all of their ups and downs and growth as leaders. Until then, I am doing small projects that get me out into the field and into the editing room.
Every day, I am excited about going to work, and every night, I go to bed knowing that I am a better person, a more confident person, than I was the day before.