Grady InternViews: Alanna Jacob

This is part of a series where we ask Grady College students to describe their internship experience.  

Alanna Jacob is a fourth-year journalism student working with ESPN as a Production Intern. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and its associated responsibilities.

As a Production Intern, I create content for SEC Network and their studio shows. I have been able to create content, like montages, with ESPN’s archival footage for shows like SEC Now and The Paul Finebaum Show.

What opportunities did you have during your internship?

I had an opportunity to pitch and produce a national intern day video for ESPN Front Row. It was exciting to work with and highlight interns across ESPN locations, create the video concept, and edit it. I also got an opportunity to moderate an Executive Spotlight event with the President of ESPN Content, Burke Magnus. This experience was definitely the highlight of my internship.

What skills and knowledge have you gained from your internship?

I have learned how to use new editing softwares, lead meetings, and create studio content for different shows.

What is one work you are proud of creating in this role?

I was really proud of my first and most recent montage. The first one I produced aired during week three of my internship and it was so cool to see my work on TV. The most recent montage I produced was a great reflection of what I have learned throughout my internship.

What challenges have you overcome in this role?

I have how to balance multiple projects and how to prioritize work. In college, the work you do is for yourself, so the pressure is on when you do work for a company like ESPN.There were moments where I felt overwhelmed, but communicating with my team and prioritizing work are two things that allowed me to put my best foot forward.

How has the Grady curriculum you’ve taken prepared you for this internship?

I would have never been prepared for this program without Grady! I applied my interview skills when moderating the event with Burke Magnus. I have been able to apply crucial storytelling skills that I learned in Video Journalism to create great content for television. It was so exciting to see the work and lessons I learned in the classroom transfer over to my internship role.

Who is one Grady Professor who has inspired you? 

Professor Vicki Michaelis inspires me the most. Learning her story and understanding how driven she has always been in her career has inspired me to go far in mine. 

What advice would you give to someone looking to apply to similar internships?

Make genuine connections! I always heard the word “network”, and it made me a little anxious. I felt like I needed to be at career fairs and give my 45 second elevator pitch to everyone I met. Opportunities came to me when I started building genuine relationships in the sports industry. Checking up on people and asking about their career journey out of pure curiosity. Also, peer-to-peer relationships are equally as important!

How has this internship influenced your future career?

This internship has shown me what roles I like and dislike. I always saw myself on-camera or as a creative director, but as I have gone through this internship, I find myself thriving in producer roles.

How did you find out about this internship?

One of my mentors/former employers told me about the role and recommended me to one of the producers. From there, I went through the interview process.

Editor: Shannon Lorusso; sel67411@uga.edu