Blogging the News

“I saw him sitting all alone in his own cage in the corner, and I knew that I wouldn’t be leaving the place without him,” said Susan Perdoch, a resident of Little Neck, New York.

Perdoch was explaining her experience as she walked through North Shore Animal League for the first time. The dog she was describing is Riley, her black Labrador retriever mix, who is now five years old and an integral member of the family. Hearing her story hit especially close to home, as my first pet was a blonde Labrador retriever from North Shore Animal League.

My first dog, a blonde Labrador retriever mix, and I circa 1996. (Photo by Stacy Lockwood)

“As soon as we brought him home he started running around the house and jumping on everything. We knew he’d be a perfect fit for this crazy family,” added Olivia Perdoch, Susan Perdoch’s daughter.

Riley is now in good health, however when the Perdoch family first encountered him at the shelter, he was undergoing treatment for parvovirus, a disease common among dogs from puppy mills. Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that attacks dividing cells and white blood cells in a dog’s body. If the virus remains untreated, it may result in irreversible damage to the intestinal tract, as well as lifelong cardiac problems.

When Riley was taken to his new home, he had to continue taking antibiotics to combat the disease. Thankfully, North Shore Animal League has on on-site veterinary medical center, fully equipped with a highly trained medical staff, where Riley had been nursed back to health before going to a new home.

Riley at his favorite spot in the house– the couch.

It is not uncommon to find out that someone’s pet was adopted from North Shore Animal League, as the website boasts that since 1944, the organization has saved the lives of over one million dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens to date. It is widely known for its policy against the use of euthanasia, as the volunteers and staff focus their efforts on rehabilitation for animals in all conditions.

North Shore Animal League, located in Port Washington, New York, is the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Today it ranks as one of the most reputable adoption services in the New York area, however this widespread notoriety did not occur overnight.

The organization acts as a pioneer in the field of adoption, as it has implemented several new innovations that have influenced similar and nearby adoption agencies. It rose to prominence, especially within the last 20 years, through the use of advertising, a tactic that was never before used for adoption purposes.

Perhaps the most revolutionary program was the Pet Adoptathon, an event in which the doors of the establishment were kept open for 36 hours on end in an effort to gain attention and promote adoption. After receiving praise from the press, other shelters observed the success of the event and launched their own, turning it into an annual event that generates nationwide participation. According to North Shore Animal League’s website, “Today, over 2,000 shelters in the U.S., and in 26 other countries, join us for Pet Adoptathon with one common goal – to join forces and adopt over 20,000 animals into permanent homes over a single weekend.”

The organization emphasizes its mission to save the lives of innocent animals and reduce animal cruelty, while simultaneously promoting adoption as an accessible, worthwhile choice. If anyone is interested in adopting a dog or cat, a trip to North Shore Animal League almost guarantees that you will come home with one. After all, how could you leave the place empty handed after seeing a face like this…

Contact North Shore Animal League:
25 Davis Avenue
Port Washington, NY 11050
[email protected]
(516) 883-7575

Hours of Operation:
Sunday-Thursday: 10am-9pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am-10pm

Riley posing for the camera in the kitchen of Perdoch home.

Riley posing for the camera in the kitchen of the Perdoch home.

“I saw him sitting all alone in his own cage in the corner, and I knew that I wouldn’t be leaving the place without him,” said Susan Perdoch, a resident of Little Neck, New York.

Perdoch was explaining her experience as she walked through North Shore Animal League for the first time. The dog she was describing is Riley, her black Labrador retriever mix, who is now five years old and an integral member of the family. Hearing her story hit especially close to home, as my first pet was a blonde Labrador retriever from North Shore Animal League.

My first dog, a blond Labrador retriever mix, and I circa 1996.

My first dog, a blonde Labrador retriever mix, and I circa 1996. (Photo by Stacy Lockwood)

“As soon as we brought him home he started running around the house and jumping on everything. We knew he’d be a perfect fit for this crazy family,” added Olivia Perdoch, Susan Perdoch’s daughter.

Riley is now in good health, however when the Perdoch family first encountered him at the shelter, he was undergoing treatment for parvovirus, a disease common among dogs from puppy mills. Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that attacks dividing cells and white blood cells in a dog’s body. If the virus remains untreated, it may result in irreversible damage to the intestinal tract, as well as lifelong cardiac problems.

When Riley was taken to his new home, he had to continue taking antibiotics to combat the disease. Thankfully, North Shore Animal League has on on-site veterinary medical center, fully equipped with a highly trained medical staff, where Riley had been nursed back to health before going to a new home.

Riley at his favorite spot in the house… the couch.

It is not uncommon to find out that someone’s pet was adopted from North Shore Animal League, as the website boasts that since 1944, the organization has saved the lives of over one million dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens to date. It is widely known for its policy against the use of euthanasia, as the volunteers and staff focus their efforts on rehabilitation for animals in all conditions.

North Shore Animal League, located in Port Washington, New York, is the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Today it ranks as one of the most reputable adoption services in the New York area, however this widespread notoriety did not occur overnight.

The organization acts as a pioneer in the field of adoption, as it has implemented several new innovations that have influenced similar and nearby adoption agencies. It rose to prominence, especially within the last 20 years, through the use of advertising, a tactic that was never before used for adoption purposes.

Perhaps the most revolutionary program was the Pet Adoptathon, an event in which the doors of the establishment were kept open for 36 hours on end in an effort to gain attention and promote adoption. After receiving praise from the press, other shelters observed the success of the event and launched their own, turning it into an annual event that generates nationwide participation. According to North Shore Animal League’s website, “Today, over 2,000 shelters in the U.S., and in 26 other countries, join us for Pet Adoptathon with one common goal – to join forces and adopt over 20,000 animals into permanent homes over a single weekend.”

The organization emphasizes its mission to save the lives of innocent animals and reduce animal cruelty, while simultaneously promoting adoption as an accessible, worthwhile choice. If anyone is interested in adopting a dog or cat, a trip to North Shore Animal League almost guarantees that you will come home with one. After all, how could you leave the place empty handed after seeing a face like this…

Every bed in the house belongs to Riley.

Contact North Shore Animal League:
25 Davis Avenue
Port Washington, NY 11050
[email protected]
(516) 883-7575

Hours of Operation:
Sunday-Thursday: 10am-9pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am-10pm

Resume

Before you start your internship search, make sure your resume is pristine. The smallest of spelling or grammar errors will immediately get your resume tossed. Spell check it, search for errors and then have ten other people do the same. Ask your professors, family members and friends to read it. The career services center at most universities is terrific for this. Now, as far as content goes, include anything at all relevant to public relations. If you do not have any internship experience whatsoever this your time to get creative (but never embellish!) Before I had any experience working in public relations I worked at a doctor’s office. Occasionally the staff members would have me write blog posts, social media posts, or create flyers. That little bit of experience gave me something to add to my resume as well as something to talk about in interviews. Also, remember that public relations requires writing skills! Join the school newspaper, or start a blog. These are both terrific things to have on a PR resume.

Cover Letter

The same rules apply. Check your spelling, and check it again. Aside from that, the best tip I have for cover letters is to make sure they are personalized. DO NOT send the same cover letter for every job you apply for. It is okay to create one basic cover letter and adjust it, but make sure you include something that is specific to the job. Tell them why you want to work for their company. Also, do not forget to address the letter to a specific person. Do your research. LinkedIn is your best friend.

The Search

My favorite Internship search tools are Internships.com and LinkedIn. Both of these websites post internships regularly. With Internships.com, you can upload your resume once and apply to internships in minutes. Simply search for an internship, click on the post, add an introduction/short cover letter and click send. This is great when searching for your first internship during a time where you likely want to apply to a large amount of companies and do not have very many options. I would not recommend this approach after your second or third Internship. Once you have interned a time or two, you earn the right to be a little bit selective. Make a list of the top 10 agencies for the specific niche you want to work in (Beauty, Fashion, Tech etc.) and search for internships at those agencies. LinkedIn is probably the most amazing career tool that is available to us, twenty-something’s. It has never been easier to network with firms, the people who work at those firms and people that have previously worked at those firms. I have found that recruiters and HR people are very open to chatting with students about potential opportunities. You can begin by searching for the company you want to work for, follow them and send a message to someone that works there.

The Interview

Once you have lined up a few interviews, it is time to do your homework. Never, ever go to an internship interview without researching the company. If it is a PR agency, research their clients, research the person that is interviewing you, and research company reviews. Many times previous employees will post reviews about what it was like to work for the company on Glassdoor.com. Another important thing to research is the company dress code. This will make a big difference in the way you dress for the interview. PR agencies typically have a casual dress code, but that does not mean you should wear sneakers and jeans to your interview. Business casual is typically the way to go for a PR internship interview. Also, remember to practice. Practice reciting your personal story, know your resume very well and have answers ready for some of the most common interview questions. Also, your work does not end after you leave the interview. The next step is to follow up with a thank you note or a thank you email. This should be sent within 24 hours of interviewing.

If you would like me to go into detail about anything mentioned above, please leave a comment and let me know!

2014-09-10-devilwaerprada Resume

Before you start your internship search, make sure your resume is pristine. The smallest of spelling or grammar errors will immediately get your resume tossed. Spell check it, search for errors and then have ten other people do the same. Ask your professors, family members and friends to read it. The career services center at most universities is terrific for this. Now, as far as content goes, include anything at all relevant to public relations. If you do not have any internship experience whatsoever this your time to get creative (but never embellish!) Before I had any experience working in public relations I worked at a doctor’s office. Occasionally the staff members would have me write blog posts, social media posts, or create flyers. That little bit of experience gave me something to add to my resume as well as something to talk about in interviews. Also, remember that public relations requires writing skills! Join the school newspaper, or start a blog. These are both terrific things to have on a PR resume.

Cover Letter

The same rules apply. Check your spelling, and check it again. Aside from that, the best tip I have for cover letters is to make sure they are personalized. DO NOT send the same cover letter for every job you apply for. It is okay to create one basic cover letter and adjust it, but make sure you include something that is specific to the job. Tell them why you want to work for their company. Also, do not forget to address the letter to a specific person. Do your research. LinkedIn is your best friend.

The Search

My favorite Internship search tools are Internships.com and LinkedIn. Both of these websites post internships regularly. With Internships.com, you can upload your resume once and apply to internships in minutes. Simply search for an internship, click on the post, add an introduction/short cover letter and click send. This is great when searching for your first internship during a time where you likely want to apply to a large amount of companies and do not have very many options. I would not recommend this approach after your second or third Internship. Once you have interned a time or two, you earn the right to be a little bit selective. Make a list of the top 10 agencies for the specific niche you want to work in (Beauty, Fashion, Tech etc.) and search for internships at those agencies. LinkedIn is probably the most amazing career tool that is available to us, twenty-something’s. It has never been easier to network with firms, the people who work at those firms and people that have previously worked at those firms. I have found that recruiters and HR people are very open to chatting with students about potential opportunities. You can begin by searching for the company you want to work for, follow them and send a message to someone that works there.

The Interview

Once you have lined up a few interviews, it is time to do your homework. Never, ever go to an internship interview without researching the company. If it is a PR agency, research their clients, research the person that is interviewing you, and research company reviews. Many times previous employees will post reviews about what it was like to work for the company on Glassdoor.com. Another important thing to research is the company dress code. This will make a big difference in the way you dress for the interview. PR agencies typically have a casual dress code, but that does not mean you should wear sneakers and jeans to your interview. Business casual is typically the way to go for a PR internship interview. Also, remember to practice. Practice reciting your personal story, know your resume very well and have answers ready for some of the most common interview questions. Also, your work does not end after you leave the interview. The next step is to follow up with a thank you note or a thank you email. This should be sent within 24 hours of interviewing.

If you would like me to go into detail about anything mentioned above, please leave a comment and let me know!

Just off the 6 train, two young men are playing the guitar on the streets of Times Square. John Khan, 20 and Alexander del Giudice, 20, make up a band called Morningside Lane. In order to fund their upcoming tour to the U.K. later this year, these two young men travel from Fort Lee, New Jersey in order to sell their CD’s in the city.

John Khan (left) and Alexander del Giudice (right) sing their hearts out on the streets of Times Square.

“We’ve been performing for a while, like for five years and we’ve been on tour three times. We came back from the Midwest, Canada and the Boston East Coast area,” Khan said. “But we have way more fans in the U.K.”

Although the city is full of diversity and welcoming new things, musicians who perform different styles and genres of music in the streets of New York are for the most part ignored, and looked down upon. Many metal or rock and roll, alternative rock and punk bands similar to Morningside Lane have a harder time gaining fans in New York than other performers who play jazz, or rap which makes competition that much harder to gain fans in the states.

As musicians play their music in the streets or in the subway, they get exposure in more than one way. Just being seen playing music is one way and posting videos on Facebook or YouTube is another way that can get them exposure. It is easy for musicians to grow their fan base and fame on social networking sites as many people use them and often share videos. It is possible to partner up with YouTube and make money that way, or they can get picked up by a recording label when they see your music videos.

Khan states his feelings on the subject. “Competition is what we want, the best thing is the fast revolving internet to target people because before that it was big labels and big corporations with specific bands but now you can get it anywhere.” He also says that the best reason to come to New York is because there is so much money the state has to offer, that making money for tours and selling CD’s betters their odds here.

Check out Morningside Lane’s latest music video for their song “Mellow Drama” featured on their YouTube page. (photo credit goes to Morningside Lane.)

Playing the guitar, Mike Groisman, 29, a 1980’s rock guitarist who performs solo in the subway at 14th St. – Union Square. He currently resides in Brooklyn, where he spends hours putting together videos on YouTube for his fans performing heavy metal and rock inspired songs by bands like Led Zeppelin. Likewise, he also agrees with the fact that metal and rock performances are a little more of a challenge to get noticed by people.

Mike Groisman rocks out to entertain passing subway goers spotted at Union Square.

“Sixteen years ago my father asked me if I wanted to play guitar. At first I said no because I thought it would be boring classical music. Then I said yes when I became inspired by bands like Guns N Roses, Metallica and AC/DC,” he said. “I came all the way from Israel, and I thought that here in the United States, I can be more successful.”

Every year the staff of the MTA’s Music Under New York program manages who plays music in the subway systems. Choosing a limited amount of people each time, the music artists gain exposure and earn some money for themselves. Groisman is familiar with this, and has participated in this program himself but he does not only have to play in the subways. Out of all the applicants who apply to be in the program, about 300 are picked at a time and allowed to play their music in the subways.

“Competition is tough, they choose the best, it isn’t easy of course. It’s like 30 judges, so you need to be really good to make money,” he said “I think in New York it’s hard for metal and rock because the people like jazz, rap, reggae and hip hop music more, I can play a little of everything in rock but they still make more money than me.”

Groisman says it’s a great challenge just to get noticed, but believes that his fan base will build on as they become more familiar with his style. “I think I can only get better from here, everyone will always have something negative to say. People point out that rock and roll is dead,” he said. “But I enjoy performing this way and think otherwise, I know others will learn to accept this too.”

Just off the 6 train, two young men are playing the guitar on the streets of Times Square. John Khan, 20 and Alexander del Giudice, 20, make up a band called MorningSide Lane. In order to fund their upcoming tour to the U.K. later this year, these two young men travel from Fort Lee, New Jersey in order to sell their CD’s in the city.

John Khan (left) and Alexander del Giudice (right) sing their hearts out on the streets of Times square.

“We’ve been performing for a while, like for five years and we’ve been on tour three times. We came back from the Midwest, Canada and the Boston East Coast area,” Khan said. “But we have way more fans in the U.K.”

Although the city is full of diversity and welcoming new things, musicians who perform different styles and genres of music in the streets of New York are for the most part ignored, and looked down upon. Many metal or rock and roll, alternative rock and punk bands similar to MorningSide Lane have a harder time gaining fans in New York than other performers who play jazz, or rap which makes competition that much harder to gain fans in the states.

As musicians play their music in the streets or in the subway, they get exposure in more than one way. Just being seen playing music is one way and posting videos on Facebook or YouTube is another way that can get them exposure. It is easy for musicians to grow their fan base and fame on social networking sites as many people use them and often share videos. It is possible to partner up with YouTube and make money that way, or they can get picked up by a recording label when they see your music videos.

Khan states his feelings on the subject. “Competition is what we want, the best thing is the fast revolving internet to target people because before that it was big labels and big corporations with specific bands but now you can get it anywhere.” He also says that the best reason to come to New York is because there is so much money the state has to offer, that making money for tours and selling CD’s betters their odds here.

Playing the guitar, Mike Groisman, 28, a 1980’s rock guitarist who performs solo in the subway at 14th St. – Union Square. He currently resides in Brooklyn, where he spends hours putting together videos on YouTube for his fans performing heavy metal and rock inspired songs by bands like Led Zeppelin. Likewise he also agrees with the fact that metal and rock performances are a little more of a challenge to get noticed by people.

Mike Groisman rocks out to entertain passing subway goers spotted at Union Square.

“Sixteen years ago my father asked me if I wanted to play guitar. At first I said no because I thought it would be boring classical music. Then I said yes when I became inspired by bands like Guns N Roses, Metallica and AC/DC,” he said. “I came all the way from Israel, and I thought that here in the United States, I can be more successful.”

Every year the staff of the MTA Music Underground manages who plays music in the subway systems. Choosing a limited amount of people each time, the music artists gain exposure and earn some money for themselves. Groisman is familiar with this, and has participated in this program himself but he does not only have to play in the subways. Out of all the applicants who apply to be in the program, about 300 are picked at a time and allowed to play their music in the subways.