Kristin Walstrom from Minnesota

I remember the first time I was surrounded by so many people who were not from New York City. I was interning at Platinum Sound Recording Studios in Times Square. Almost every intern that volunteered there was a music hopeful that travelled all the way to NYC to intern at this well known recording studio. I was one of three people that worked there who was actually a native New Yorker. I had never been around so many people who were from all around the U.S, so many different views and perspectives on the world. So much advice to give each person. I was given an up close and personal view on the struggles of each person as they tried to survive in the big apple. I was a studio management intern and so was Poppins -- well her real name is Kristen Walstrom-- we grew a strong bond and I became one of her closets friends in NYC. Here is her story: Originally from Minnesota, 30-year-old Kristen Marie Walstrom also knows as "Poppins" now resides in New York City to peruse her dream to have a career in music. Walstrom always knew she didn't fit in with her Minnesota town, she grew up being a lover of hip hop music. At a young age she realized that music was a passion of hers. Her parents tried hard to steer her away from music by encouraging her to join the navy straight out of high-school. This turned Walstrom's love for music into a passion, as she used music to cope with the hard times of the navy. After finishing her contract with the navy, Walstrom was not sure where to go next. She decided to study for one year at Full Sail, an audio engineering music school. In 2007 Walstrom decided not to go back to her the familiar farm setting of her Minnesota roots but instead to move to New York City. She found a place that she shares with two roommates in Bayside Brooklyn, which she loves. Walstrom would prefer to live in the city but the rent is much cheaper in Bayside. She travels an hour long ride to midtown where she works her three jobs. “Its hard, I just want to have one job, with one salary to cover my bills,” said Walstrom. In pursuit of trying to find a one time, pay all job, Walstrom recently found a job at a music law firm. “After months of redoing my resume and sending out job application, I finally found a job that I know I will love and that will help me pay my bills,” said Walstrom. She still works two other jobs until she completely settled down at her new law firm job. Since 2011, Walstrom had been interning for a Platinum Sounds Recording Studio with hopes of getting a permanent position as an audio technician. Walstrom assisted on many sessions with celebrities such as Busta Rhymes, Nick Cannon and Ne-Yo. Slowly but surly Walstrom started to realize that audio engineering would not be her career choice but rather working behind an office desk in the music entertainment industry. “I can’t wait to get out the studio. They’re always behind on my pay. I need something more consistent,” said Walstrom. In order to keep up with all of the bills of living alone in a new city, Walstrom third job is working at coat check at the popular rooftop bar, Sky Room, where she works late nights until 4 a.m sometimes. “It helps pays the bills,” said Walstrom. “I’ll always like to keep Sky Room for the side money,” she says. After Walstroms shift hours she is able to go upstairs for a drink; the upside of working at Sky Room. “What’s better than finishing your shift and being able to get a few drinks?” said Walstrom. That is usually the highlights of her nights. Unlike Sky Room, Walstrom is constantly finding her self underappreciated and over worked in her studio shifts. The love for music and the amazing studio environments are what motivates Walstrom to continue attending the studio. Her love for the music is too strong. Although owner of the studio, Jerry Wonda, doesn’t want to let Walstrom go, he cannot afford to keep her Walstrom consistently puts other people, her jobs and opportunities first. There are weeks where she works seven days straight and nights when she sleeps at the studio just to be able to stay in the city in order to attend all of her jobs. She pushes herself harder and harder so that she doesn't not have to return to her country house where her love for music is discouraged. Whats Walstroms dream job? “I want to be a personal assistant to a producer or studio manager. Those are my passions and that’s what I can see myself doing,” said Walstrom.