- Graduation Year: December 2015
- Major: Broadcast Journalism
- Hometown: Inverness, Illinois
- Hobbies: Perusing anything & everything New York related
Campus Activities
- Society of Professional Journalists
- Daily Illini
- Vidcast
- Iranian Cultural Association
Internship |WMAQ-TV/NBC5 Chicago |Investigative Reporting Intern
Duties
At NBC, I worked closely alongside the reporters and producers in the Investigative unit. I helped research stories and analyze data. I logged interviews, reviewed news tips through phone and e-mail, and determined potential investigative pieces to pursue.
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
When the Investigative reporters were generous enough to let me tag along with them in the field. That’s where I learned the secrets of the business.
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
Accuracy. Especially in investigative reporting, you want to make sure that you know the facts and have a reliable source.
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
When you’re a student at Illinois, there’s a certain type of drive you begin to establish. All your peers want more, they want to be better, want to do better- and you just feed off of that. The competitive nature and the constant encouragement of the professors I’ve had has really fueled my constant drive to perform better. Every journalism professor in the College of Media that I have had, has listened to me and has encouraged me to channel my curiosity with every story.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
After NBC, I understand the ins and outs of a newsroom. I know what the expectations are for reporters, producers, and even directors. I not only received a hands-on experience, but the advice of professionals who have taken the same steps I am taking- and this is truly unmeasurable.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
Start early. You have to start somewhere. Even as a freshman, I took an internship that had no relevance to my major. Yet, I believed that initial experience taught me what I wanted from my next one. In this field, experience is everything.