Hello Everyone!
It's been a while since my last blog and a lot has changed in my life during that time. Here is one experience that I think is worth sharing.
From my last entry, I made it very apparent through my choice of work here at Berry that I am attempting to steer my career path in the direction of broadcast news. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet a man by the name of Rob Harber who is a graduate of Berry and a news writer for CNN in Atlanta. He offered to give me an in depth tour of the CNN newsroom (Nothing at all like the "Inside CNN" tour that everyone does when visiting Atlanta). I quickly took him up on his offer and I was in a state of awe as I got to take a walk through the newsroom where all of the action was being choreographed. Not only did I get a look behind the scenes but I had the chance to enter the studio where the anchors were recording live national news! This is not even the best part. After talking to Rob for a while, he mentions that he writes directly for CNN news anchor Don Lemon, a career icon of mine that I have been watching for years! Rob sent me Don's best-selling book Transparency with a note from Don that said, "Sorry I missed you, hope to see you soon. Don Lemon." Within a few weeks, I was back in Atlanta to spend the entire day shadowing Don and watching him do what he does best. I sat in on the news meeting and actually provided input while Don edited his script. I saw Don go through hair and make-up, and sat on the sidelines with a headset while Don reported LIVE national news!
At the end of the day, Don took my cell phone number and we talked briefly about me interning for him during the summer of 2012. With a firm hand shake and a smile, Don and I parted ways as he got ready to go on the air 
again for the 11pm show. Recently, I applied for 8 different internship positions and Don Lemon is the first name on my reference list. I am still waiting to hear back from CNN, but I have continued reading Don's book and we still keep in touch by phone. This experience fervently enhanced my passion for becoming an on-air personality and Don has proven himself to be a quality role model to look up to. I can't wait to see what comes next, but I will be sure to let you know!
"Stay classy Planet Earth"
Darren