Shoot for the stars

Kaitlin O’Brien, Staff Writer-
Ever since I was a little girl I used to always be told, “Shoot for the stars, Kaitlin.” I used to think that was such a cliché expression until last semester. After having such a successful first internship, it was time to apply for my spring semester internship. I applied to a few local radio stations because I thought it would be easy to stay around New Haven and take classes while doing an internship close to school. Then I decided to apply to what would ideally be the “dream” internship in New York City.
I have listened to Z100 since I started listening to radio back when I was nine-years-old. Not only have I listened to Z100 but I listened to the morning show every morning when I got ready for high school and on my drive there. I always thought the topics were engaging, the people were so funny, and the atmosphere in a place like that must be something unlike any other radio station.

When I went to z100’s website and saw “become an intern” there were a few choices for what part of Z100 you wanted to intern at. I read them over carefully (probably a few more times than I should have) and realized that the morning show itself had a specific application for interns. I sat down at my computer, wrote my cover letter, made sure my resume was error -free and sent the application. Just like that, I had applied to be an intern at the morning show.
Now the waiting started. I thought to myself, between New Jersey, New York and Connecticut there must be so many people that apply. I was happy that I even sent an application, but didn’t really think I would get a call back. It was a Friday and I was driving on the Merritt and saw a weird number and decided to pick up. I pulled over and she said, “Hi, I’m from z100, we were wondering if you would like to come in for an interview next week.” I GOT AN INTERVIEW AT Z100. Just like that, my whole mood changed and suddenly I did realize that dreams can come true, and when you shoot for the stars, good things can happen.
At this point in my life, an interview was more than I ever could have asked for. After a 45- minute interview, I walked out there, looked at my sister and said, “I think I got it.” When I asked in the interview how many people I was up against he said that over 100 applied for this semester, they interview about 40 or so and then they pick four. Only four people, I thought. Wow. At this point getting an interview meant so much to me that I was so grateful for just that.
The waiting process was just over three weeks. I was home the week before finals and logged into my e-mail and saw an e-mail from the address I had sent my application to. I didn’t even read the whole e-mail before I screamed because I saw Kaitlin, “thank you for your patience we would like to offer you an internship here at the morning show if you are still interested.” I screamed, called my mom and just kept smiling.
My dad always used to tell me how I could do anything I could set my mind to and how shooting for the stars was something you had to do. Well he was right. I thank him up in heaven for always believing in me and telling me my dreams would come true no matter how long it took.
I am in my fourth week at the Morning Show and although I have to travel nearly two hours every morning and wake up at 3 a.m. to be there, it is well worth every second and when you shoot for the stars, your dreams will come true.