Interning With The Rich And Famous

What should I not say about my famous boss outside the office?

There's nothing that gossip columns like to talk about more than intern gossip, and it's really important as an intern of a famous person to keep your mouth shut, whether it be your family, friends, or whoever; because everybody has big mouths and everyone likes to talk and somehow it ends up in newspapers, books, magazines, and TV. This is in the form of "common knowledge." So, don't talk about your boss at work, and if someone says, "Oh, what's it like to work for this famous person?" Say, "It's really great!" and just sort of leave it at that. That is really important, because remember, the smallest things, when it comes to these gossip type magazines and columns and whatever, can be really blown out of proportion, and you do not want it coming back to you at all.

Is it OK to ask my famous boss questions about his or her life?

Absolutely in a sense but not all the time. Not when things are going on, as you get to know them as you go to further and further into your internship, I think its ok to say and ask a question, see may be if we get on a schedule and grab a cup of coffee and talk to them then. These people really put on their pants that same way you do. They'll absolutely help you from the most part.

What is inappropriate to ask my famous boss?

I think it's best, before you really start asking questions and really sort of hanging out with them, is to see how other people act with them when they're in their presence. And see what type of person that famous person is. I mean these people are asked questions by the media all the time, and there's really like no question that they haven't thought about or haven't been asked before. But it's best to stick with, "Do you have any advice for me?" Stuff like that. I always love to ask, "What was the last song you downloaded onto your iPod."

How can interning for a famous boss be different from a regular boss?

First of all, you see them in the press all the time. People are more interested sort of in what you do. But again keep your mouth shut. People are more interested in your job because you're working for someone that they see all the time so when they ask you something just do not say anything. Just say “yeah it is really fun. I am really enjoying it” and again they're inundated by tons of mail, tons of press publicity questions, people that want access and so just be aware that when you do something for them, make sure it is really clear and do not get, do not be worked up because your boss is in the newspaper. The best way to handle it is just be direct and do what you're supposed to do and do not screw up.