InternViews

“Ask yourself if this role makes sense for you, personally and professionally. Do your values align? Do your past experiences fit with the expectations? Be honest with yourself when researching a company, and don’t make the assumption that more applications equate to more opportunities. Be intentional! Spend your time wisely during the process.”

“You are not behind. You put a lot of pressure on yourself to know everything and be perfect, but the news industry is constantly changing, so that is legitimately not possible. You are just where you need to be, so trust the process and I promise you will get to where you are supposed to be.”

“In creative roles, your portfolio is super important, so put a lot of effort into your work and how you present it. People typically see your portfolio and resume before they talk to you, so it’s crucial to make a good first impression and show off your best work.”

“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that to be successful, you have to take initiative and be your own advocate. I have learned a lot and gotten new opportunities by not being afraid to speak up and ask questions or reach out to new people.”

“I have found that – despite being an intern – not being afraid to share my thoughts and ideas is greatly appreciated, and even encouraged. In this role, my voice definitely matters, and it has made me realize that the ideas I have and my opinions should be and are valued by my coworkers!”

“My classes at Grady have prepared me for my internship by giving me confidence in my professional skills. When I have a task at work, I know that Grady has given me the skills I need to succeed and to trust that I know what I am doing.”

“Take advantage of all the opportunities Grady provides! Making connections with past and current Grady students is so valuable. Utilize LinkedIn and try to set up informational interviews with alumni. Joining student organizations within Grady and attending events also gives you experiences that can open doors to similar opportunities!”

“Networking is the best way to get your foot in the industry. Start reaching out to UGA alumni and other industry professionals as soon as possible, such as through LinkedIn or the UGA Mentor Program. When reaching out, it’s best to be authentic, intentional and respectful. Be honest, do your research beforehand, and thank people for their time. Although it can be scary, people want to help you and give advice based on their own experiences in the industry.”

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while going through the internship recruitment process is that you should always apply for that “dream” role even if you don’t check off every single requirement. Skills can be learned, but you and all that you bring to the table simply can’t. Use your resources and take full advantage of your network.”

“My favorite part has definitely been the process of it all. Actually contributing in a newsroom gives me a sense of belonging. Interviewing people on the street has to be the most exhilarating thing I have done because the interviews are so spontaneous and it gives you a raw, uncut version of how someone feels.”

“Connecting with your coworkers is so important. You learn so much from being in the office, interacting with all your colleagues, and creating a company culture. It makes the work more enjoyable once you get to know your team better in all aspects.”

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and do more than you’re required to. Your supervisors want you to learn and make the most of your time, so they will appreciate it when you take initiative.”

“Many students miss out on amazing opportunities because they count themselves out before ever trying. My advice is to never walk away from an opportunity because of a fear or doubt that you’re not enough.”

“I have been able to see how a Senate office is able to create and maintain relationships with journalists in Georgia. There is not an emphasis on national publications, but the communications team will target specific releases to markets to which the news is relevant. Seeing that deliberative process, as opposed to a mass email, has been interesting to learn.”

“I have been pleasantly surprised by how intentionally Nickelodeon has crafted their internship program. They truly want interns to learn during their time here so that they can succeed in their future careers.”

“For those who want to pursue a career in advertising, I would suggest working in an agency at least once. Even if you decide that you want to work on the client side, agency life challenges you and causes you to grow extremely quickly.”

“I think what’s most surprising is the trust that they’ve placed in me as an intern. I think that it’s really important when they place trust in you, because it allows you to grow and to see where your interests lie.”

“The relationships I have created with my Grady professors and other staff members have guided me through this process immensely. Their experience, expertise, advice, guidance and encouragement have prepared me and allowed me to thrive.”

“You’ll find that wherever you end up, you’ll get experience that is maybe a little outside of your comfort zone or something that you didn’t initially sign up to do while you were there – which is a good thing.”

“Grady classes helped me prepare for this internship by teaching me about target audiences, brand voices and social media analytics – all of which are critical for successful social media engagement.”

“Sometimes you just have to walk in the room and act like you own it. You may not know what to do, and that’s okay. You can figure out the logistics later, but don’t let anyone stop you from getting that perfect shot, the best angle for a video, and don’t be afraid to communicate with players.”

“Be a self-starter. Get familiar with the beat you’re working in and practice writing and reporting in your downtime.”