Fact: Working for free can be fun.

In my entire life, I have had maybe four jobs that I actually got paid for, minus the occasional "freelance" styling job or PA gig. I worked as a gift-wrap girl, a cashier at a chicken finger restaurant, and even sold massive amounts of Pad Thai working at Mama Fu's. Yes, it was as glamorous as it sounds. Every remotely respectable position that I have ever held has been unpaid (a fact that I hope to soon remedy). My newest "volunteer" venture is remarkably wonderful though, and I don't even mind working there for free. Allow me to elaborate:

A month and a half ago, I started working three days a week as an editorial assistant at JEZEBEL Magazine. I graduated from college with degrees in Fashion and Journalism, so working for a fashion magazine is pretty much ideal. There are honestly very few things about this job that I don't like. At the current juncture, I actually can't think of anything at all.

Every day when I walk in there, I experience something new. I get to do actual work, and the work actually means something there (as opposed to making cold calls and feeling completely replaceable). On my very first day, I was actually writing. I called my mom on my way home in complete and utter disbelief. What a great internship! They were actually taking advantage of all of the skills I had instead of dumbing me down and making me feel entirely overqualified. It's a very refreshing feeling, let me tell you. Since I've been there, some really awesome things have happened to me. 

First, my boss is one of my sorority sisters, and although we were never really friends while in college (she is two years older than me), I find myself glad, if nothing else, that I got this internship so that we could rekindle our friendship. She is incredible, and I can't imagine doing this job without all of her amazing support. I often epitomize the saying "there are no stupid questions, only stupid people," and even when I ask something retarded, she still makes me feel valid, and proud that I was smart enough to ask instead of making a dumb mistake. She has challenged me, given me the opportunity to prove myself, and for that, I am truly grateful.

On that same note, the work that I have gotten to do has been pretty exciting. Maybe not for the seasoned magazine veteran, but for someone who continually is trying to break into the field, its a big effing deal. I have done everything from writing to copy-editing, and I've even caught a couple crucial fact-checking errors. I'd like to take a moment to thank my English teacher mother for instilling good grammar in me. I think my bosses would probably thank you too. I have run errands (even smoothie runs, which amazingly, I do not mind in the least), made copies, and sorted and collated. And I've loved every second of it. Most recently, I spent my days helping style the products for the upcoming Spring Fashion issue. My boss was thrilled to have my help (a fact that she made abundantly clear, and I again thank her for letting me know that I was appreciated) and I was thrilled to be there. 

Another perk of working for JEZEBEL is that our office is right next door to the offices for 680 The Fan, an AM sports radio station in Atlanta. Just a week or so into my time at the magazine, one of the producers for Chuck and Chernoff, one of the station's talk shows, came into the office seeking a fashion advisor to go on-air with the guys. My boss was busy, so I was nominated for the task (my fashion degree helped), and they brought me into the studio with Matt and Chuck. Allow me to tell you a little more about these gentlemen... Matt is 31, Chuck is 41, and they are both nice Southern boys. Naturally, they loved me. 

The talk started with my qualifications for doling out advice about clothes, and then Chadd, the wonderful producer that he is, had to point out my age. Chuck asked, and I told them that I was "almost 23." Now, allow me to say that I really was about to be 23. And I truly feel that saying I was 22 really wouldn't have done me any justice. Granted, I made my own bed so I had to sleep in it, but those guys just wouldn't relent. Until my actual 23rd birthday a couple weeks ago, I was known as their "almost 23-year-old friend from JEZEBEL." Since that first little spot on the radio, I have been on with them three other times. Somehow I even divulged that I am single, and they are currently in the process of trying to find me a nice Jewish boy. 

So, basically that's my life right now. I loathe the beginning of the week, pray for Wednesday (when I finally am back at JEZ), and find myself not wanting to leave come Friday afternoon because I know I won't be back until the following Wednesday. For an unpaid position, I sure love doing it. I guess if you have to work for free, you might as well enjoy what you're doing. 

If you'd like to check out my work in the newest issue of the magazine, the January/February issue is currently on newsstands. Check out page 75 for some doggie couture written by yours truly.