InternViews: Courtney Craft

InternViews is a series where we ask Grady College students to describe their internship experience.

Courtney Craft is a fourth-year journalism and political science major from Dunwoody, Georgia. She is also earning a Certificate in Public Affairs Communications. This year, she’s spending her summer at CBS “Face the Nation” in Washington, D.C. as part of the GradyDC program. Read more about her internship experience below.

Provide a brief overview of your role and its associated responsibilities.

I am the “Face the Nation” intern at CBS News in Washington, D.C. My responsibilities include logging
interviews, cleaning transcripts, conducting guest research and other production tasks that support the
weekly broadcast. In addition to my production responsibilities, I have the opportunity to shadow various
roles within the D.C. Bureau, as well.

What opportunities did you have during this internship?

During my internship, I’ve had the opportunity to shadow reporters covering both Capitol Hill and the White House while getting an inside look at the day-to-day production of “Face the Nation.” Watching the show come together each week has been such an exciting experience. I’m also able to sit in on meetings and work alongside award-winning journalists and producers every day. Learning from such talented professionals has been the most rewarding part of my internship, and I’m so grateful for the experience.

How has the Grady curriculum prepared you for this internship?

The Grady curriculum gave me a strong foundation in writing and reporting that definitely helped me adapt quickly to the CBS newsroom. Hands-on experiences like Grady Newsource and Grady Nightshift gave me the confidence to step in and contribute from day one. They also taught me how to work under deadlines and collaborate with others while continuing to learn from every assignment and opportunity. I also love that the Grady curriculum covers all aspects of journalism because it shaped me to be an incredibly well-rounded journalist.

Did you receive any mentorship or guidance? How did it impact your experience?

Mentorship has been one of the most valuable parts of both my internship experience and college experience in general. Mentors are so beneficial because they offer a level of expertise that only comes with experience. Having good mentors in my corner gave me the confidence to step into such an established organization like CBS and better prepared me for my role. Outside of the brilliant Grady professors, I also utilized the university’s mentorship program, which connected me with a Grady alumna who has been a great resource.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you gained from your experience?

The most valuable piece of advice I’ve received came from Lorna Jones, the deputy Washington bureau chief for CBS News. She encouraged me to have confidence in everything I do. As an intern, it’s easy to experience imposter syndrome and feel like staying quiet will keep you from making mistakes or getting in the way. But she reminded me that internships are meant for asking questions. That advice gave me the confidence to speak up and fully immerse myself in the newsroom. Plus, mistakes are an important part of the learning process; the only way to grow is to make them.

How has this internship influenced your future career?

I’ve wanted to pursue a career in political journalism for as long as I can remember, and interning with
Face the Nation has allowed me to do exactly that. I’m not just picking up skills to take into my future
career, I’m actively working in it every day. By shadowing reporters, producers and other journalists, I’ve
gotten a firsthand look at what it takes to succeed in political news and it has reinforced that this is the
path I want to pursue.

Editor: Sarah Kate Maher, skm01341@uga.edu