A Lunch With our Summer Interns and my Favorite Recipe!
You may remember being introduced to our summer interns a few weeks ago on this blog. I always enjoy having these college students join our company in the summer because they bring interesting, fresh perspectives to our work. The internships span an eight-week period and we hire one or two per department. We have a total of thirty-eight this summer. I try to find time to get to meet the students and learn more about their studies and what they are working on here. Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of having lunch and hosting an informal Q&A with them. Before we got started, I asked our interns to stand up and introduce themselves. I often do this when I host dinner parties with a large group; it allows my friends sitting on opposite ends of the table to get acquainted right from the start. The interns hail from universities from across the US: Cornell, the University of Virginia, Brigham Young, and the Columbus School of Art and Design, just to name a few. They had wonderful questions for me and were a fun bunch. If you are interested in our internship program, click here. We’ve already posted our fall internships.
1 Here I am with Rochelle DiRe, SVP of Human Resources, listening as the interns introduced themselves.
2 The interns were all ears as I answered questions about my favorite recipe - my mother's pierogi, of course! http://www.marthastewart.com/312536/cabbage-pierogi - and shared stories about how I got started in the business.
3 The interns were also very interested in hearing me describe the exact moment when I felt my career took off. That was simple: the publication of my first book, Entertaining, in 1982.
4 Behind me is an amazing view of Chelsea, the Hudson, and New Jersey that a couple of the interns referenced. We also have a beautiful rooftop deck at the office where many of the interns like to sit and enjoy their lunch.
5 Christina Kennon, Rochester Institute of Technology - Christina is interning in our Photography department. “I'm currently working on the December Everyday Foods issue. We photograph the issue in its entirety in about eight days.”
6 Carissa Simmons, University of New Mexico - As one of the Photography interns, Carissa helps out during shoots for our magazine publications.
7 Lee Kirkpatrick, Columbus College of Art & Design - Lee is the Style intern and has been assisting our PR firm with our merchandise showcase event this past July.
8 Alexia Conley, UNC Chapel Hill - She’s the Style intern for Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine. Alexia helps with crafting projects for the magazine and with photo shoots. She also enjoys being an occasional taste-tester for featured cakes and desserts.
9 Francesca Lee, University of Virginia - As the Executive Administrative intern, Francesca works closely with our CFO’s assistant to maintain his calendar and schedule meetings in our conference rooms. “It’s really exciting to be surrounded by people who are the playmakers for this company. It’s also pretty surreal to be sitting within a stone’s throw of Martha’s office.”
10 Alex Grossman, High Point University - As our intern in the Corporate Communications department, Alex has been helping with our merchandise showcase event this July at the Susan Magrino Agency. “I have really enjoyed all of the opportunities I have had through this internship because it has given me a whole new outlook on PR and event planning.”
11 Bridget LaPoint, Bucknell University - She’s our Advertising and Marketing intern. Bridget is truly enjoying her time here. “The best part about interning at MSLO is every day is different and the projects I’ve worked on are both interesting and inspiring!”
12 Pamela Sepelya, Rutgers University - As our Finance intern, Pamela assists with internal audits and organizing our vendor files. “In addition to the wonderful experience of working with the finance department, the view of the Hudson from the office is something I will never forget.”
13 The interns were also curious about my favorite meal to make after a long day at work. I told them that my refrigerator is usually empty because I like working with the fresh ingredients from my garden. Typically, I love a simple salad and an omelet.
14 Julia Boehlke, Rhode Island School of Design - As the Textiles intern, Julia helps with product design.
15 Ahyoung Sun, Carnegie Mellon University - As the Everyday Foods intern, Ahyoung is currently working in our test kitchen, testing recipes and organizing the props and food for Sarah Carey’s video shoots. “The best part about being at MSLO is working with really great people and having to work in a kitchen with the best view”
16 Aaron Garza, Brigham Young University - As an intern in the Art department for our Living magazine, Aaron recently helped create an interactive map for the August iPad issue. His favorite “project” so far was modeling for Living magazine’s Halloween feature. Look for him in the October issue!
17 Katherine Robinson, Pratt Institute - As the Art intern for Whole Living Magazine, Katherine has helped design the stationary for the magazine and has been helping with the print and digital (iPad) layouts for the September and October issues.
18 Danielle Foster, our Integrated Marketing Intern asked, “What are you best tips for being a good hostess when having overnight guests?” I responded by talking about the overnight guests from Japan I recently hosted. Having a delicious breakfast was key, as well as comfortable bedding.
19 Alexi Bullock, Brigham Young University - She's our Graphic Design intern in the Books and Special Projects department. Currently she's assisting on our upcoming books about kids crafts and aging gracefully.
20 Amber Mauriello, Special Projects Group Editorial Intern asked, “As a brand new fur-mom, what do you think is the best way to build a trusting, close relationship with my pup?” I responded by saying you should bite the dog’s cheek because the dog's mother does that to establish that relationship.
21 Becky Mickel, Washington and Lee University - Becky is the Editorial intern for MSLO. So far, her favorite experiences here have happened in Studio C (the location for our luncheon). “From sifting through called-in products for photo shoots, to our intern lunch with Martha, the studio is where creativity and collaboration flourish.”
22 Brittany Steele, Stony Brook University - She interns in the Photography department of Living and Whole Living. Brittany has been working on getting Jack-o’-Lantern festival pictures in for our October Issue.
23 Taylor Combs, University of Missouri - Taylor is in the Web department for MSLO and helps create online galleries of some of our best appetizer and entertaining recipes so hosts will be able to find them all in one place. “I’ve also been Pinning and Tweeting; it’s inspiring to see how we can engage readers on these platforms.”
24 A delectable lunch was served from Sullivan Street Bakery. Jim Lahey just opened up a new shop in our Chelsea neighborhood. http://www.sullivanstreetbakery.com/home
25 Yummy focaccia and prosciutto sandwiches
26 An amazing combination of arugula, dill, cucumber, tomato, and mandarin oranges on Sullivan's freshly baked bread
27 These chocolate chip cookies were the perfect finish to our lunch.
28 Iced tea is my favorite refreshment for these hot summer days.
29 Lee Kirkpatrick, our intern in the Style department, flashes a smile while chatting with the other interns.
30 Brittany Germyn (seated second from left) is the Advertising and Marketing intern for Weddings magazine. After telling her that I also owned her white daisy dress, she humored everyone by giving a twirl.
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Great photos of great program. Think that Ice Tea looks wonderful and I have drank a gallon of it today and the heat goes on.
Posted by: ann | July 19th, 2012 at 1:02 am
Dearest Martha,
I love every blog you share with us. You have so much to give
and offer. What I love most is how willing you always are to share
what you know and how you make the world a more beautiful place.
Enjoy the beauty of this new day! I will, we had RAIN tonight!!!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy Peterson | July 19th, 2012 at 1:12 am
What a lot of Blessed young people to be able to intern with you, Martha. And, the food looks delicious.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | July 19th, 2012 at 1:46 am
What lucky students to have this opportunity to work with Martha Stewart. Must look GREAT on a resume!!! Good luck to all the participants in their future goals and dreams
Posted by: Lora | July 19th, 2012 at 8:21 am
Hi Martha, I certainly agree with Kathy Peterson's delightful comments about how thoughtful you are to share these fantastic blogs with us and you make the world a better place to live! Thanks Kathy! These young summer interns look so happy in these wonderful photos and I love their comments, also! You and Rochelle DiRe look so happy listening to those great interns and all of them look so happy to be there! I checked out the internship program and those interns sure have great choices to help develop themselves for future careers and some may even work later at MSLO! The foods provided by your friend Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery at Chelsea neighborhood looks so delicious and I'm sure everyone totally enjoyed it and the wonderful iced tea-yummmmmy! I recall seeing another blog about other interns that were also great! Martha, you provide such great things for all of us and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! You make my days so delightful! Hope you have another great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 19th, 2012 at 10:06 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | July 19th, 2012 at 10:24 am
Being an intern surely doesn't get any better than this!
Aah...to be young, fresh, eager and talented...good wishes to all the interns and those who mentor them!
Posted by: Sherey | July 19th, 2012 at 11:49 am
Hi Martha,
What a great opportunity to be able to intern in a field one might want to have a career in such as at Martha Stewart Living. College students are so lucky these days. Internship wasn’t popular back in the day when I was getting started but I definitely think it would have been beneficial to gain experience in more than one job to help us choose the one we like. I got into secretarial work because I was good at it and won awards in school for it but physical work is more to my liking. I used to enjoy working on cars and even took classes in auto repair when I was in my 30s. Anyway, I was curious as to when internship programs came about and in my research I came across an article about Nora Ephron – she interned for Pierre Salinger when JFK was in office. I thought that was interesting and it was something I didn’t know before.
~
Thanks for sharing this special luncheon with us and for introducing your summer interns. I am sure they enjoyed being featured in your blog and maybe you could let them know we enjoyed their questions and comments. Have a great day. I’m off to relax after mowing the lawn in high heat! Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 19th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
What fun! Looking forward to seeing the best and brightest doing great things...that's all of these talented young people! Love the shoes Martha! Also Martha...we have a groundhog burrowed under our pumpkin bed...any suggestions?
Posted by: nantucketdaffodil | July 19th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Hello Martha,
I'd like to begin by saying that students whose lives you have managed to touch will never be the same! I cannot imagine being able to 'give' a gift like that! That must personally make you unbelievably proud of yourself!
In addition, I want to say that I am a 59 year old women who grew up and went to school in the 70's! Academically, the world was entirely different than today! I've worked hard for what I have and would love to know more about how to grow my Gift Basket Business and be able to make a difference in lives of the people that receive them! I have the theme, just do not know how to move forward.
Oh how I could use a 'Martha' in my life!
Thank you for the good you do in our tumultuous world....
Judy F. McWethy, President
A Biscuit In A Basket
Centennial, Colorado
Posted by: Judy F. McWethy | July 19th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
What a great post. It was so nice to see and hear about all your interns. Their hopes and young dreams make me want to do something new all over again.
I thought they were all lovely. Cabbage Pierogi is one of my favorite foods
(My Grandma was from Poland) Planning to make your mom's recipe for this very soon. PS...who burned the cookies? Really glad it wasnt me : )
I'd make myself go swim with sharks if I burned cookies meant for you!!!
Posted by: Debra | July 19th, 2012 at 9:21 pm
What a wonderful post! Best of luck to all the interns- what an amazing opportunity!
Posted by: Alex | July 19th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Dear Martha,
My husband and I own a bed and breakfast in Burlington, KY.Burlington is in Boone County. We live next door to the Boone County Fairgrounds.Seven times a year there is an antique show ,(every third Sunday) at the fairgrounds.Last Sunday i was looking around with my husband and found a coin silver spoon with S M Stewart engraved on the stem , i wonder if Martha would like to have it.
That would be really great if the S was part of her name.
Most Sincerely,
Nancy Swartzel
Posted by: nancy swartzel | July 19th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
What a wonderful learning opportunity! As an English graduate and current veterinary technology student, my only hope is that G.K. and friends decide to implement a similar program!
Posted by: Alison | July 20th, 2012 at 1:11 am
What a great group of young minds. They will benefit greatly from your experience and mentoring. I'm sure they will value the opportunity you have provided to them. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Posted by: Nicole | July 20th, 2012 at 2:39 pm