It has taken me longer than I had planned to find my niche in the academic and professional world. The past few years involve transferring schools, changing majors and picking up and moving more than I would like to admit. There were times that I wanted to break down and give up – life seemed to be effortless and painless journey. But overall, everything that I have been through up until this point has made me a true believer that everything happens for a reason. I ended up attending the University of Wisconsin-River Falls- a couple of years ago, I finally decided on Communication Studies as my major. I figured that t is broad enough to give me options and to keep many doors open in my career. I knew that an internship was required to graduate and when I stumbled across the Cities 97 promotions intern position, I knew it was for me.

If there has been one certain and unchanging aspect throughout it all, it is my passion
for music. Rarely am I doing anything without music accompanying me. I am not picky when it comes to music – I will listen to just about everything, but I get sick of most after a while. The Cities 97 genre is something that never lets me down or gets on my nerves. Come to think of it, almost every concert I have attended are artists featured on Cities 97 and being a loyal listener for so many years has given me the opportunity to see my favorite groups – such as Kings of Leon, The Fray, The Goo Goo Dolls, and Foster the People – live!

Words cannot begin to describe how fortunate I am to hold an internship position here, at Cities 97. When I applied and interviewed, I had to try so hard to not get my hopes up and depend on it, because I knew the position would be competitive. But it all goes to show that everything really does happen for a reason. If I would have remained unhappy at the first University I attended after high school – with a major I was not interested in and the potential to do something bigger and better than I was – I would not be living this incredible dream that I am today. The chain of events that led me to where I am today still amazes me. I know it is a cliché, but it is so important to follow your dreams and let your heart lead the way – everything else will fall into place!

--Intern Stephanie

It was Thursday, June 14. The forecast for the day was anything but promising – especially considering the fact that I would be outside all day long. I had highly anticipated the Oake on the Water events since the moment I found out I was accepted as an intern for Cities 97. When I learned that Ed Sheeran would be performing at one of the live broadcasts, it was too good to be true.

The morning of June 14 came along and I was ecstatic knowing that later in the day, I would be up close and personal with Ed Sheeran. But that fantasy did not come without a price – The weather that day was horrific: Nonstop rain showers. The Promotions team arrived around one o’clock, with the idea that there would be a fair share of hardcore fans. We were right – the place was already packed and Ed wasn’t expected to play until around 5. We sat in the rain for hour after hour. Once we got the message that Ed’s plane was delayed in Iowa, due to the storm, I was beginning to wonder if the whole thing was worth it; I was drenched head to toe and resembled a drowned rat. At that point, he wasn’t scheduled to arrive until closer to 7. After a couple more hours of taking turns standing in the monsoon, we got the news that Ed Sheeran had arrived – it was music to my ears. We waited a while longer and hung out with the young, die-hard fans.

After the sky had been dark and gloomy all day long, the clouds somehow began to clear up. There was light at the end of this long, insane tunnel! The golden sun peaked through the black clouds and Ed Sheeran made his appearance and walked down the stairs and to the stage at about 7:30. At that point, I felt as though I was being serenaded in the sunset – it was only me and Ed. The intimate concert was absolutely perfect and everything I had been through that day was completely 100% worth it. Ed Sheeran was better than I could have ever imagined – the voice heard on the radio does not even do him justice. It all goes to show that you truly can’t have a rainbow without a little rain – figuratively and literally!

--Intern Stephanie

Hey Listeners! My name is Grace and I’ve been lucky enough to work for Cities 97 the past month and a half. It has been an amazing experience so far and I can’t believe it is nearly half over! In the fall I am going to be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota and I am majoring in marketing and finance. I initially was interested in joining Cities 97 because of my passion for music and interest in advertising. After the time I have spent at Cities 97 I am positive that I would love a career in the music or entertainment industry. My favorite experience so far has been watching the live performances at Oake on the Water. I have enjoyed meeting many loyal listeners and love the excitement of being able to give away free tickets and prizes. The enthusiasm Cities 97 listeners have for music has opened my eyes to the many different ways it is possible to reach out to people. I have learned a great deal about marketing that can’t be taught in the classroom. Whether it’s standing in the pouring rain at the Basilica Block Party or listening to a live performance by Foster the People in Studio C, I cannot think of a better way to spend my summer! Until next time,

-          Intern Grace

 Hello Cities 97 Listeners! This is Charles  Lemon (a.k.a Chas-the dude with the dreads) checking in with my very first blog! Therefore, I am sure you guys will not judge. This coming fall I will be a senior at the College of St. Scholastica up north in the wonderful city of Duluth, Minnesota. I am a Communication major and History minor at St. Scholastica.
 
I heard about this awesome internship through job postings on my school’s database and I am so glad I looked into it.  So far this summer I have had a great experience going to different event’s like Oake on the Water and Acoustic Sunset with BT. It has been fun meeting many faithful listeners and giving away prizes/tickets to the best fans in radio! I feel I am lucky to have the honor of being a Cities Intern and having the opportunity to learn and go to many great events. One thing I am really looking forward to is going to the Basillica Block Party. I have gone to this event the past couple of years as a fan and have had such a great time every summer. It will be fun to see what goes on behind the scenes and to see what it takes to put on such an excellent event like the Basillica Block party. So far this summer, my favorite experience would definitely have to be watching Brandi Carlile’s Studio C performance. She was so awesome, friendly, and talented (not that we all didn’t know that already).
 
I am looking forward to an amazing rest of summer, full of great events, performances, and people that make Cities 97 such a wonderful community. If you ever run into any of our team members or Cities 97 family, be sure to introduce yourself! We would love to meet you and hear about your great experiences and stories as well.
 
So long for now!
 
Citrus

Howdy folks, intern Zach here or Z-Rose for short (although I suppose it would be “for long” since there is an extra syllable). Any who, I am SO excited to be interning with Cities 97 this summer! If the rest of the summer is anything like the first couple of weeks here, it is bound to be one to remember. In the fall I am going to be a junior at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, majoring in both marketing and entrepreneurial management. I applied for this position on a whim when I saw it pop up on my schools online job database I figured “why not?” and I am sure glad I did! I get to spend the entire summer doing amazing things and working with even more amazing people. Whether it was searching for someone with golf balls, walking to Wisconsin or even setting up two strangers on a date, much fun has been had already this summer! Be sure to say hi and introduce yourself if you see me or one of my team members at one of our many events, we’d love to meet you!  And yes, I do rock Crocs.