After I sent my cover letter, resume and best clip to Vero Beach 32693, I got antsy. I checked my e-mail every minute - even though there wasn’t much of a chance of them getting back to me after midnight. I needed to do more.

Scripps owns all the Treasure Coast newspapers, so I sent the St. Lucie County editor a message via their Web site. Through our e-mails, I learned that Scripps is not hiring reporters and the summer internships are full, but freelance work is needed. Then I later corresponded the same way with the managing editor of all Treasure Coast newspapers, and he told me the same. He also said fall internships are possibilities. They both asked me to send them my resume and clips, so I sent them the whole deal.

Both were so friendly and so helpful. I love communicating via e-mail, as long as it’s done correctly. But now I haven’t heard from them since I sent my stuff, and I would love communicating via job interview even more.

It feels good to have gotten the job application process started. But it also scares the hell out of me because these are the options in my area. All my eggs have been placed in their respective baskets.

I’ve gotten better - now I check my e-mail only every 10 minutes.