The Typo

            Let me tell you about the worst typo in American history. It all started this past summer, in May 2011. I had acquired an internship in Atlanta with a marketing agency; I gained a lot of insight to the advertising industry that summer. More importantly, though, it taught me to always proofread emails before I press send.

            You’d think by now I would’ve learned to do this. Not to brag or anything, but I’m an upstanding member of the Penn State Dean’s List. However, it seems even that could not stop me from making this mistake. One important thing I should mention is that this internship was paid. Fifty dollars a day, which is considerably less than minimum wage especially for a 9 to 5 job, but it was money, so as a college student I was overjoyed and immediately accepted the offer.

            I worked from May to August, working on different research projects on current trends in the advertising industry, sitting in on meetings with clients, even changing website product line-ups and distribution lists. By the week of August 5^th, I was ready to say my goodbyes and head back to Penn State.

            I started packing up my desk to ready myself for my last day (Friday). And then it happened. I was leaving on Wednesday afternoon and stopped by my account manger’s office to drop off a copy of my résumé for her to look over. She was on the phone, though, and I didn’t want to interrupt so I simply set the paper on her desk and waved goodbye. On my way out to the parking lot, I realized I had forgotten to ask if my boss (the CEO of the company) would be in on Friday so that I could pick up my paycheck on my last day. I wrote up a quick email on my trusty iPhone that went something like this: 
     

 Hi Amanda,

I left a copy of my resume and was hoping you could look over it so we can discuss it on Friday. I know I should probably cut and move some things around.                     

Also, I was wondering if Jerry was going to be in Friday. I wanted to make sure I would be able to say goodbye and well.... get laid. :)

Let me know! Thanks!

Laura Kreiser

I pressed, “Send” just like that. And as that little loading bar moved across the bottom of the screen, I realized what I had just done. I’ve never been so embarrassed sitting alone in my car than I was at that very moment. My face burning, I frantically sent another “Oh my god, oh my god…that word was supposed to be PAID” email.

            I still can’t really laugh about it; although most of my friends got a huge kick out of it. Looking back, the worst part was the smiley face. I didn’t want to sound too focused on the money, so I tried to add a little friendliness that in turn came off completely creepy. Even the account managers found it hilarious, joking that as much as I might admire him, he is a married man. To this day I don’t know if they told Jerry, and I don’t think I want to know. Let’s just say I no longer trust my iPhone as I did before and I don’t trust the first draft of anything, even a simple email.