A Summer with Blue Chalk: Editing Assistant Mihir Shah Shares his Experience ☀️
Back in June, we welcomed Mihir Shah from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as our summer editing assistant in the Portland, OR, office. During his time with us, he worked on a number of exciting projects while also finding time to create this hysterical video. Before he departed to start his new school year, we sat down for a quick chat about his time at Blue Chalk!

Tell us about your background/work experience prior to working at Blue Chalk.
“Prior to Blue Chalk I haven’t had much work in the field of communications. Last summer I worked in NYC as an outreach volunteer with Anti-Violence Project — an organization that provides counseling, advocacy, community organizing, legal support and education in our mission to end violence against LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities.”
What made you want to intern at Blue Chalk? Tell us about the internship at BCM.
“I like to shoot and edit my travel videos and some personal projects for fun, but nothing serious. I thought it would be fun, and a great opportunity, to be part of a production. My advisor at UNC went to school with senior producer Natalie Taylor and mentioned that Blue Chalk had open positions this summer. I had two interviews before accepting the position in Portland, OR.”
What were some challenges you faced and what were your biggest achievements this summer?
“At the end of one shoot, we had some problems transferring files onto the server. As a team, we were extremely stressed out about losing the files. I learned you can never be too safe about the organization of files. One of my biggest achievements was working on a video series called “In Plain Sight,” where I was able to take on something and then see it to completion over the course of my internship. It was my baby.”
Were there any surprises?
“Just how friendly everyone was. It’s work but it’s a very good community of creatives! Even though there was a batch of new folks, it was such a welcoming environment.”
What are some things you’ve learned that you will bring back into the classroom at UNC?
“I learned a lot about the balance of work ethic and of organization. In this field, it’s creative work but, at the same time, there’s a lot you have to be organized about i.e. business model, data, and etc. One thing I will take back to this school year at UNC is I must be organized and always know where everything is and where it is located.”
What has been the best thing about your summer in Portland?
“Finding little spots around the city where I can just sit down and read or relax.”
What is your best advice for future Blue Chalk team members?
Own your position. You’re given a good amount of responsibility so don’t be timid! Ask all the questions you want to ask. Make the place your own. Make the experience your own.
Lastly, if Blue Chalk was a breakfast food it would be…
“ A hearty veggie omelette”
