Last month, online news sites reported on a strange phenomenon happening at technology firms around the company, like Intel and U.S. Cellular: Email Free Fridays. This revolutionary idea is a direct response to the increasing reliance on email as the only form of communication within a business at the expense of face-to-face and phone conversations.

I know the way that I personally process information, and though I’ll remember 95% of what I read or see, I remember about 5% of what I hear (just ask my mother). So, in the field in which I work (web stuff), I strongly prefer receiving emails or instant messages to talking on the phone. It provides a written record for what change or feature was requested that I can refer to later on. However, there are some cases, particularly when designing or sketching out a major project, where a face-to-face meeting is the best possible option.

Can you see this trend growing? What would it take for you - as a student or as employee - to unplug from email for one eight-hour workday?

Related Links

Fridays Go From Casual to E-mail Free

Overwhelmed by Email?

~Kara Kane

I know just the place. During my sophomore year at Medaille, I applied for my second internship at Citadel Broadcasting during the Spring of 2007. It has been a blast. For those of you who don’t know Citadel Broadcasting operates Mix 104.1, 97 Rock,and 103.3 The Edge. My internship/part-time job is in the promotions department and I highly recommend it.

As a promotions intern/part timer, you get to work events for the three stations. Events include remote broadcasts, full live broadcasts, and DJ Appearances. I’ve had the opportunity to work some really fun contests and events. After working Buffalo Bills Tailgates, The Family Values Tour(backstage with the bands), a Halloween Parade, the Erie County Fair and a ton more, its so hard to pick a favorite event, I love them all.

What can you expect if you work in the Promotions Department? A lot of fun! It is the Promotions Team who is in charge of setting up tables and prizes and conducting station contests. You may have to stand at the prize wheel while people spin, or sign people up to win cool stuff. If this is something you want to get into, you have to have people skills or learn them pretty fast. You have to feel comfortable talking to a complete stranger about just about anything. If you want to get people interested in the station you have to prove yourself, let them know that you are worth talking to and chances are they’ll thing the station is worth listening to.

My internship/job at Citadel has taught me a lot. I knew very little about radio promotions going into it, but after being there for so long, I’ve learned a lot of the behind the scenes stuff. My internship in Promotions, has greatly helped me to fulfill my duties as Promotions Director for WMCB The Lizzard. With my knowledge and skills that I have learned from Citadel, the Promotions Department of WMCB has benefited greatly. WMCB had its first remote, our Halloween Remote which was one of the best remotes we have had in a long time. We had some great prizes, great contests and a great turn out. If not for my internship and experience at Citadel, WMCB’ s Halloween Remote would not have been so fantastic.

If an internship at Citadel Broadcasting is something you’re interested in, contact one of the stations. Contact information can be found at www.wedg.com (103.3 The Edge), www.mix1041.fm (Mix 104.1) or www.97rock.com (96.9 Buffalo’s 97 Rock)

~Natalie Schiavone, Junior