Stay hungry, stay foolish
Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 2:59AM
In the spring of 2004, I was a Web Intern for TechTV. I was hired to work for Tech Live, but I soon found myself lending Call For Help and The ScreenSavers a hand from time to time. I wrote short articles based on TV scripts, edited newsletters, digitized video, and transcribed a few live viewer calls.
In many ways, it was a dream come true. I was a big fan of the network prior to my employment, and for months I was starstruck by the on-camera talent. Over the years, I would appreciate them as genuine human beings rather than untouchable celebrities, which only deepened my affection for them and the work they do.
TechTV was a special place. It wasn't just a network dedicated to technology coverage; it was a network dedicated to making technology accessible and fun. There was a youthful and collegiate energy that emanated through the whole company as a result, making it a wonderful friendly place to work. I was heartbroken when TechTV was sold and shuttered. It was as if a piece of me had been taken away.
TechTV was where I first discovered technology coverage could be a viable career path. A few months after we were unceremoniously laid off thanks to the Comcast buyout, I was hired as a Products Intern for Wired Magazine (I volunteered for the Electronic Frontier Foundation and interned for Chow Magazine for a few weeks prior to the Wired internship). I learned about reviewing products and gadgets, and gained an affinity for all things electronic. A brief stint at Gizmodo soon followed, and then I landed a job at CNET reviewing phones.
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I've been at CNET for almost six years now, and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow my skills here. I've made plenty of friends along the way, and I appreciate the patience and guidance my colleagues have provided me. I don't think I would have ever had the confidence to be on camera or be in front of a microphone if CNET hadn't thrusted it upon me. The mobile beat is also an incredibly rich and rewarding one and I feel very fortunate to witness the fast-paced evolution of the industry first hand.
Meanwhile, I've kept an eye on my former TechTV colleagues as they went on with their lives at Revision 3 and elsewhere. Particularly, I admired what Leo Laporte and his merry crew were doing over at This Week In Tech. It seemed as if he was growing his own version of TechTV, which was of course very compelling to me. Even in the early days of TWiT, I wanted to somehow be involved. That's why I began contributing around $2 to $5 every month to TWiT as a small token of encouragement. I still do, to this day.
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Fast forward several years later, and I am impressed at how far the organization has come. Leo, Lisa, and the whole gang there have really made something special with their technology-focused shows that are long on content and short on pretense. The beautiful new TWiT studios in Petaluma, Calif. is a testament to their ingenuity and hard work. I was happy to donate to the cause by buying a brick for their new Brickhouse that simply said, "Nicole Lee / TechTV Intern." All these years later and that's how I wanted to be perceived because TechTV meant that much to me. It was wonderful to see TWiT take what is ostensibly TechTV 2.0 to a level never before imagined.
So it was without hesitation that I leapt at the chance to join the TWiT crew when the opportunity arrived. I will be helping TWiT develop their new product review show, and I will also be assisting as a backup producer, occasional on-air talent, and whatever else they need me to do. It's a new undertaking for me, and I'm eager to learn how to do it all. It also doesn't hurt that I will be working with some genuinely awesome people.
Leaving CNET will be bittersweet, but I am looking forward to the brave new world ahead. Adventure, here I come.
twit 
Reader Comments (11)
Congratulations!
Great news, great move — best of luck!
I saw this today, which is my birthday (48 years young!) and I thought I'd congratulate you on the great coverage of all things in your field of expertise. Great job and well done! You will be missed but never forgotten at Cnet! Best of luck to your future endeavours!
Awesome! You've been doing such great stuff at CNET - so glad for you!
Can't say I'm overly surprised. The day TWIT moved from the cottage to the birckhouse you were at the front of that short parade with Leo & others to their now new location. Since then you made appearances on a number of TWIT shows. On All About Android (AAA) 3 weeks in a row while Ron was away with fun & interesting input about cell phones and other related topic. I've enjoyed watching you on CNET from that kinda camera shy person till now. TWIT has gone thru a number of changes since Tom joined them from CNET over 17 months ago, (if I'm correct) and you will be a welcome addition to that change.
I wondered when this might happen. Such a vibrant place, it seemed to be a natural fit. Good luck!
That's awesome news! I am a fan of both cnet and TWiT. I loved TechTV, and really believe that Leo has a great group of personalities at TWiT. You will be great fit, I look forward to hearing and seeing you in the new studio! CONGRATS NICOLE!!!
We loved you on TTV and you'll be a wonderful addition to the TWiT productions! Glad to have you Nicole! Welcome!!!
good luck Nicole! God bless
Great news, Nicole.
Best of luck to you.
Congrats Nicole! I heard you talking about cleaning out your desk at CNET on Google+ and was wondering where you were going. So glad to hear it is TWiT! You will be a great addition to the TWiT Network. I look forward to seeing you there, especially your new review show! Hopefully it will not be limited to cell phones and will include other tech as well. :)