This week, our "Meet a Gawker.TV Intern" series focuses on Rachel Simpson, one of the many Gawker Video Department alumni. So, what's she up to these days? Click to find out.


Photo by Henry Baker.

How did you learn about the Gawker.TV internship program?
 My friend noticed a post calling for interns and thought of me.

What was your favorite post while you were an intern at Gawker?
 I Died in a Law and Order: SVU Bus Wreck and Lived to Tell the Tale

What experiences did you hope to gain from this internship?
 I wanted to create videos, get exposure for my website, and learn about publishing.

Did the internship live up to your expectations? How so?
 Nope. From years of reading Gawker, I expected a bustling, collaborative newsroom where the individual writing was encouraged tolet their personality shine through. This is not the case. Get there early, don't forget your headphones, and strap in for an 8 hour shift of Fox and Friends, Wendy Williams, and whoever-the-hell-else would light their hair on fire for attention.

Was there something in particular you learned from this internship that you didn't know before you started?
 Gawker's office is quiet like a library and you get free breakfast on Wednesdays!

What was your favorite part of the internship?
 I loved the interns I sat beside. Truly adored Elaine Moran and Devon Irete on Wednesdays and Robyn Caplan and Etan Berkowitz on Thursdays.

What skills do you feel you've gained as a result of this internship?
 I learned how to pitch stories to media outlets and I feel confident editing with iShowU, iMovie HD, and Final Cut Pro.

What was the biggest surprise you encountered interning at Gawker?
 People take themselves really seriously here.

How does this internship differ from any other previous internships you might have had in the past?
 My last internship was at a puppet show in St. Louis. This one had fewer puppets.

If you could, would you intern here all over again?
 Sure!

Would you recommend interning at Gawker to others?
 Yes.

Do you have any tips or advice you would give future Gawker interns?
 Don't take any crap. No one is as important as they think they are. Despite claims to the contrary, you will not make a career-ending mistake by not showing up at bowling or not making a video about guys
jerking it (which I happily did here). Just do your best, ask for what you want, and have as much fun as you can.

What have you been up to since your internship ended?
 I'm currently in the hilarious rock musical Viva Los Bastarditos! You should come see it. Don't miss the show that Broadway World called "one of the funniest shows around" and that Paper Magazine tapped as "this year's breakout hit." Our cast is outstanding, and the music, which we play live, totally rocks! You can check out more reviews and hear some tunes at our snazzy new website.

Have you been able to use any of the skills you learned at Gawker in the real world?
 Yes. Anytime I watch The Daily Show, I think to myself, "Would Blakeley think this is funny?"

Any regrets?
 Never.

Follow Rachel on Twitter @dailypep, on tumblr, and email her here.

If you or someone you know is interested in interning at Gawker.TV send an email to internships@gawker.tv for more information.