Interep, Inc. works with Brauner Foundation to provide fall internships

As part of the Brauner Foundation's mission of providing internship opportunities for minority students, Interep, Inc., the nation's largest independent national sales and marketing organization for national radio advertising, agreed to provide internships to three students this past autumn.

According to Betty Elam, president for the Brauner Foundation, "Interep is a very well organized company; they do everything on computers and state-of-the-art equipment. It is a terrific place for interns to be, especially within an industry that they otherwise would probably not know was available to them in a business setting. That's one reason why we were delighted they accepted our interns."

This program has several goals for the interns: to help instill in them a sense of professionalism; to teach them they are expected to report to work on a regular basis and to be on time; and to help them to develop their ability to actually work in the department of a company.

"Interep has wonderful departments because they conduct so much research on radio outlets. It is a firm with a pioneering approach to advertising and communications in the new age of the Internet world. And to be an intern at Interep means one is on the cutting edge of an industry that is constantly changing. A student working as an intern just could not ask for a greater opportunity," she explains.

"The recruitment and selection process began last spring when the Foundation sent letters to guidance counselors at high schools throughout the New York tri-state area, so they in turn could inform graduating students who might be interested in being interns."

"Students responding about the program were then invited to the midtown Manhattan offices of Interep for an interview in late August. The day's program included an explanation of what would be expected of the interviewees as interns in a business setting, and they were told what the role of their mentor would be and how they as interns would benefit from the experience."

"The day's program was arranged by Diane Feyer, Interep vice president for their New York executive region, who also presented an overview on the company and its unique services . Interep also was kind enough to host a luncheon for the applicants, some of whom were accompanied by a family member."

Interviews were conducted by Dr. Margaret Donnelly, professor of psychology at PACE University; Ruth Perelson, a member of Brauner Foundation's board of directors; and Betty Elam, Foundation president.

"Interns,' Ms. Elam said, 'were fortunate enough to receive a stipend of $7.00 an hour from Interep to help defray the costs of commuting to their assignments and other related expenses."

" Mark Guild, president of Interep's Marketing Division, expressed equal pleasure. "The interns are doing very well. Although I do not see them on a regular basis, I know everyone is delighted they are with us."

"Interep firmly believes in getting young, energetic blood into our organization. We always are striving to have diversification in our staff so we have an internal culture that reflects the diversification of the clients we serve. Interns definitely play a significant part in achieving that goal.

"Interns bring an unquestionable benefit. At a time like this, when the economy is slowing and our client base reflects the impact of that, it is very helpful to have the extra help of interns to maintain the quality of our work. It's equally important for us to have the young minds these interns represent: they bring fresh ideas by virtue of their being new to the field. Most people, who have been on a job for a while, unknowingly develop a 'day-in, day-out' work pattern that can be numbing. Having interns around helps us to step outside of that cycle and gain a new perspective on things."

Okhela Bazile, an 18 year old freshman at Pace University in Manhattan, learned of the Brauner Foundation/Interep Internship program from her mother who had heard Ms. Elam speaking at a meeting. Ms. Bazile then contacted the Foundation and expressed her interest in becoming an intern.

As a student with a major in business administration and a minor in communications, Ms. Bazile was an excellent candidate and was accepted .

In early November, she began with Interep working in the Concert Music Department and in the Allied Radio Partners Department .

"In the Concert Music Department, I organize the client invoices and bring them up to date as to how many advertising spots are included and the charges for the spots. With the Allied Radio Partners, I usually phone the radio companies to confirm they received their invoices.

"I am really enjoying the experience. I feel as though I am gaining confidence as to my ability to work with a variety of people in an office setting.

"When I first learned that I had been accepted , I was skeptical because I had worked as an intern in office environments before and I had found them boring, so I was concerned that Interep might be the same. But it isn't. Everyone is very friendly, the people that I work with are young and they make the work interesting."

Although she still has several years ahead of her before she graduates, Okhela already has her sights set on owning a sound production company some day!