News Internships: What works best?

BiB Contributor | George Howell

Driving back to the station the other day, I got into a great discussion with WSB photojounalist LeVar James about internships: which is a better environment for students, large or small markets? LeVar started out in a small market where he says he was free to do everything! From day one, he recalls having permission to grab a camera. He was expected to go out on assignments, shoot, write, and edit! That’s a great first experience, because your ultimate goal as an intern is to get as much experience as you can, and create a resume demo.

My internship was in a medium market, and I clearly remember there were more restrictions. For example, students were allowed to go out with crews on assignment, only if we drove our own cars to follow them! The station, at the time, did not allow students to ride in live-trucks because the third seat in the news vans didn’t have seat-belts! Try keeping up with news crews driving all around the town, in your own car, on your own dime, as a poor college student – it can be expensive! Also, interns had to schedule all editing time and outings with reporters and photographers through the assignment desk. Most of the time, the assignment desk manager seemed to keep us at the station more, because he liked having the extra manpower around to help out with printing scripts, menial research, etc.

Bottom line – it’s important to do your research. Be sure to find out what you can do, and what you can’t do at the station where you’re trying to land an internship. Some medium and large market news shops do offer great programs where students can shadow employees, build resume tape, and even record practice performances anchoring at the news desk. Some stations can be very restrictive. You just have to ask a lot of questions, and know exactly what you’re getting into. Small markets, traditionally, are the best place to get the most experience. At the end of the day, the more experience you walk away with, the better off you will be in the hunt for your first job.