Deez Interviews: Meet a former intern queen who’s now a red carpet pro
Happy Friday, Deezers! Today’s interview is with incredible Caitlyn, a dear friend who I envied the shit out of in j-school because homegirl literally kept snagging the coolest, most glamorous gigs in media. She’s here today to chat about her latest job and reveal share of her intern queen magic — perfect for the youngest Deezers still lookin’ to get a foot in the door & kick that shit down. Enjoy!
//
The interviewee: Caitlyn Gallip (follow on Twitter at @gallipon)
The current job: Social media manager for Broadway.com
The hustle: I manage all of our social accounts, and I help produce all of our live video on FB live.
Your work sounds straight-up fairy tale cool at times. Going to the MTV Music Awards, hanging out at red carpets, mixing with Broadway people...what's it all actually like?
I was asked the other day what drives me and I think I gave the most millennial answer ever "experiences." I've gotten to do some really cool stuff, but most of it is just by asking to go and staying late to be there. Red carpets are the worst. It is always hot or the middle of winter, and you stand for hours with passerbys trying to get their iPhone in front of your camera. The only saving grace are the parties and open bars you sometimes get to sneak into afterward. With things like award shows events, I use a site called 1itoa that fills seats for TV broadcasts.
Tell us a little more about those big red carpet events.
With live event coverage and red carpets, it’s important to know there is no right way. If you're reporting and interviewing people, I would say have your 1-3 questions ready, your tape recorder on and be fast. This will make publicists love you and remember you at the next event. I've learned that if you're snapping or doing videos, you can't be afraid to ask for a quick extra something from talent. Things like Boomerangs or shoutouts take two secs, and you won't get it unless you ask. For many people, red carpets are an annoying thing they have to do, so most talent is prepared to do anything.
I was so nervous at my first red carpet, but then you realize people are people and most likely nice. Especially Broadway people. Just ask the first question. It will get better.
Have to ask: Who is the most famous person you've met through work?
Technically the most famous person I've been around was probably Justin Bieber, Jessica Lange or Bette Midler. But, it was really fascinating watching Hamilton-mania take over the world and interacting with Lin, Daveed, Leslie and the gang.
In college, you interned at some of the biggest titles in media: Esquire, Cosmo, Martha Stewart. HOW THO??
I strongly believe that any industry is based on who you know. You just have to get your foot in the door. I was able to do that through a winter internship at Cosmo. I blindly emailed a contact I saw on Ed 2010 and she shockingly emailed me back 10 minutes later. That was the moment I thought "Oh crap, what have I gotten myself into?"
It turned out to be an amazing experience and showed me how much fashion magazine are and aren't like "Devil Wears Prada." I think the things that were most surprising to my college-age self was that I've realized (in all my internships) that no one actually has their life/work life together and nothing is as glamorous as it is. I've spent hours organizing shoes, carrying 50 pound garment bags in the NYC summer, and detangling tiny jewelry chains. So glam. I also know the only reason I got my other two internships is because of contacts. The woman I worked under at Martha was a Mizzou grad and the guy I worked with at Esquire knew my boss at Cosmo, and she gave me a good recommendation.
Any clues to the dark art of networking/cover letter writing/resume-making secrets you so clearly hold?
I think the true "secret" though is don't complain, and be overly nice. Also, this might sound like a no-brainer, don't be late and don't call in sick unless you're dying. Holding open the door for a mail person, or remembering the name of a person's kid can go a long, long way. Especially when you're trying to overnight something to LA, and you miss a shipping deadline by 5 mins. But, I wouldn't know anything about that....
//
Someone please forward that advice to all the hyperventilating freshmen out there/also myself, because daaaamn, there was some serious job wisdom getting dropped over here. Thanks, Caitlyn! Go forth to the weekend Deezers; you have now officially been blessed by her eternal wisdom.
Like Deez Links? Forward to your fave hyperventilator.