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.”

“Think outside of the box. You want to have something that stands out when you present yourself to employers–especially with how daunting the interview process is nowadays. Challenge yourself before you leap into the ‘real’ world. You have to sell these employers on you. Ask yourself—what makes me stand out?”

“Being organized and meticulous when given a task will get you very far. I’ve also realized that I this is the best time of my life to be curious and ask questions because everyone wants to help the intern/student.”

“Don’t ever think your goals are too lofty to accomplish. If you put in enough work, you can do anything. You just have to advocate for yourself and put yourself out there. Networking is everything.”

“Everyone is on their own timeline. It might seem some people are ahead of the curve, but keep trying, keep applying and your time will come.”

“Finding jobs is all in the way you market yourself. As someone in a different but related field, I saw my journalism skills presented in different areas. Apply for programs that align with where you want to go, not only what you are currently capable of. A willingness to learn and perseverance can take you lengths farther than hard skills.”

“Ask questions. The only way to learn is to recognize what you don’t know and ask someone who does. You would be shocked at how many people want to help. The worst that can happen from asking is you have to ask someone else.”

“When it comes to extracurriculars and involvement, prioritize quality over quantity. It is so easy to get stressed because you think you aren’t “doing enough.” Pick one or two organizations/clubs that you are truly interested in and fully commit to them.”

“Don’t doubt yourself and your experience. Don’t be afraid to reach out, network, and connect with journalists and role models in the industry or area you hope to work in.”

“Be very intentional in applying to roles. Make sure your resume is up to date, and you present yourself in the way you want. Apply to roles you might not think you’re qualified for or you might not be interested in. Cast a wide net, and see what you can catch. Make sure your internship lines up with your goals. If you strike the right balance and keep applying, you won’t be disappointed.”

“Apply without hesitation. Never sell yourself short. If you are not sure what the exact role consists of, always go for it! Always connect the responsibilities of the role to past classes or work experiences because in some way everything is transferable.”

“The best thing you can do is put yourself out there. Don’t limit yourself; if you think something you are applying to is a long shot, apply anyway. Make a company say no to you, don’t say no to yourself first! You will never get your dream job if you don’t give yourself a chance. Also, make sure that you are truly interested in the position you’re applying for. Authenticity goes a long way during the interview stage!”

“Try everything. Never say no to an opportunity. Doing this will set you up with lots of different skills and will make you adaptable and versatile. Employers in the media industry want to find a well-rounded individual that they can mold into the type of employee who will succeed within their organization.”

“Having a network and a good relationship with faculty, staff and other students will help you tremendously! Most of the great opportunities I have obtained were because of a good rapport with an individual who is willing to give me a chance, or because I know someone who knows someone.”

“Start building your network now. Ask for advice from creatives and anyone in the sports industry. Building your network while you’re still in school is really important. That way, when you’re looking for a job, you’re able to turn to those people who you’ve built a trusting relationship with.”

“Take advantage of all the hands-on opportunities that UGA offers for student journalists. This means getting involved with The Red & Black, Newsource, or anything else that can get you physical proof of your talent. Coming out of college with an impressive portfolio or reel will set you apart from the beginning.”

“It is important to always work hard. Whether it is a group or individual project, it can sometimes become difficult to see the end goal in the classroom when assignments, quizzes and tests are piling up. This internship has reinforced to me that both patience and dedication are important, and that putting in the work in the beginning leads to reaping the rewards at the end.”

“The classes I have taken in the Grady Sports Media Institute couldn’t have prepared me better for the work I’d have the chance to do with ESPN. Hands-on work editing feature packages and learning to take quick direction and think on my feet from classes like Sportsource had me as ready as could be.”

“The most valuable lesson I have learned is how to ask the right questions and then expand on your client’s answers as much as you can. Proactive questioning is better than a one-sided conversation. Do not be afraid to ask questions, and when your client responds, ask ‘What else?’.”

“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.”