Since September I have been pretty much living a double life. I have been living at concerts at night, about four nights a week, and taking my honors economics and political science course load during the day while juggling five other jobs on the side. As an economics and political science student I never thought music would maintain such a strong presence in my life, but I couldn't be happier I was wrong.
Through being an editor for The Spectrum this past semester and interning for a local music company, After Dark Entertainment, since September, my life has changed for the better.
When I first stumbled on Facebook and saw that After Dark was looking for interns, I didn't know whether I should even bother applying. I knew I would have no chance of getting it because my strong interest in music happened later than others, less than two years ago.
I knew there would be a ton of people applying for the job who have been on the Buffalo music scene and have been in bands, and thought I did't fit the mold to work for this type of industry. But, I figured it was worth a shot, and I applied. Through the two interviews I had with the company, I was a nervous wreck and didn't think the interviews went as well as I wanted them to.
I also never thought I'd be an editor at The Spectrum. Sitting among amazing writers and great personalities over the past few months and seeing the progress this paper has made has been a privilege. Seeing the reporting that has been done which uncovered some of the biggest scandals has allowed me to see the impacts that people my own age can have, and what can be achieved with hard work and dedication. I never thought I'd be able to be among these people or have this experience.
I was gladly wrong. My life has changed ever since.
After Dark has been the dream job over the past few months, and it was better than I could have ever imagined. I've been able to meet some amazing musicians, and people at shows, which turned out to be some of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. I felt empowered to be able to hang out with Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory, I Am The Avalanche, and Mac Miller - and making this a nine-month, weekly deal.
You've probably seen your friends tagged in Facebook pictures from random concerts. I was the girl behind the camera taking pictures of kids at concerts. I was the one cutting the flyers and hanging them up all over Buffalo. I was the one updating the websites and promoting for shows. I was the one people looked up to and wanted to talk to at shows.
Through being an editor at The Spectrum I have also encountered life-changing experiences, and over the past months I've been able to talk to and learn about amazing people and breakthrough stories, which I was able share with the student body. I feel honored to have been able to tell people about To Write Love On Her Arms, an organization that works to help people combat depression and uses music to connect to people, to the latest story I wrote about a person who gives non-verbal people the ability to communicate.
Working for After Dark and The Spectrum have been the most rewarding experiences of my life. The people I have met, and the friends and memories I have made, will always stay with me. I have learned so many life lessons throughout both experiences that I would not have learned any other way.
Every single day with both of those experiences I have made new friends and new people who inspire me and give me a positive outlook on life. I never thought in a million years I'd ever be doing something like this, interviewing my favorite bands through The Spectrum, and working for bands and promoting shows through After Dark. After all, I study "nerdy" majors and never thought I'd have the long-lasting desire to make a career out of music. I never thought I'd be able to be outgoing and talk to people at shows. I never thought I'd get the opportunity to hang out with bands all the time and just all-around awesome people every single night.
I don't mean to write this to receive a pity party. Although my internship at After Dark is coming to a close, I will continue writing for The Spectrum next semester and will hope to continue experiencing these amazing things.
I have had amazing experiences through jobs I never thought I'd ever get. The point of all of this is, don't miss out on any opportunities no matter how far-fetched you think they are. Set goals for yourself, and don't doubt yourself. Take every single opportunity that comes your way, even if you think it's a long shot. More often than not, you may be more qualified for these opportunities than you think and they will change your life. Even if they aren't your initial goals, if you see something that interests you, don't pass it up. Always give it a shot, because you never know how it'll turn out or where it will lead. Even if you fail, don't pass up the initial chance, because you never know when it will come around again. These will be the greatest opportunities of your life.
Email: vilona.trachtenberg@ubspectrum.com
