Amelia Mugavero
Graduation Year: December 2016
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Campus Activities: Marching Illini Feature Twirler, Host of SeeYou Weekly, Executive Board of JAMs, member of SPJ, member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority
Hobbies: cooking, dance, reading
Internship: News Intern - WCIA Channel 3 News
What were your duties?
During my internship, I was given many different duties throughout my shift. I would go out with reporters and photographers and help them shoot stories. Sometimes I would be the one doing the interview. I would also fact check stories, write stories, and help anchors on set as well as the producer behind the scenes.
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
I loved going out with the photographers and interviewing different subjects. I learned a lot about the area and met a lot of people who I have been able to keep in touch with for future stories!
What was the most difficult aspect of your internship?
The most difficult aspect of the internship was writing in broadcast style and meeting time crunches. Sometimes I would go to shoot a story and then have to rush back to the studio and write it before the reporters went on air. These situations were often stressful, but it gave me a true idea of what I will face in my career.
How did your experience at Illinois and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
My classes in journalism allowed me to understand how to write in broadcast style as well as understand how a newsroom operates. I talked to teachers who previously worked with WCIA as well as students who previously interned there.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
Overall, my time with WCIA allowed me to experience first-hand how a real newsroom operates. I now understand how I can better prepare for the fast-paced environment. Working with the different reporters has also given me connections for a future job.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
I did my internship over the Spring semester. Therefore, I recommend that student understand the time commitment for any internship they are seeking. I made sure I allowed time in my schedule to treat my internship like a three hour class. Sometimes internships will work with your schedule, but often you should be prepared to have plenty of time to commit to it.
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