“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Those are the words of Benjamin Franklin and they are also the words that have guided my approach to interning at WAVY TV-10. Everyday of my internship I made a way to be informed and get involved. Starting my days off in the morning meetings and following up on news updates via iNews throughout the day gave me the insight I needed to triage all the opportunities that were most beneficial for my learning experience. Out of sheer excitement for the challenge and opportunity to learn, I took on tasks I had no idea how to complete and that was the thrill of it all; getting busy finding out how to do it and to my amazement and relief, I always got the job done with the guidance of a few professionals of course.
In more ways than one, I am still very much the novice in the news industry. The most significant and notable change between now and when I began interning is the amount of confidence I’ve gained to work in this field. After meeting so many professionals from multiple departments and diverse backgrounds, I gained insight to how many began working in the news industry. Many of the folks at WAVY TV-10 started as interns themselves and in entry level positions, all while pursuing and learning about the career fields they wanted or sometimes thought they wanted to be in. Knowing how these professionals got their start is very encouraging and leaves me with a greater hope for my own career aspirations.
The opportunity to explore different career paths, gain valuable work experience, develop and refine skills, network with professionals in the field and gain confidence are priceless. There aren’t many instances outside of learning institutions where trying even at the risk of failing is encouraged. Interning allows for application of theory and provides exposure that is essential for making sound decisions that best suit an individuals’ talents and interests. I could go on and on about the benefits of interning where others who choose not to pursue it could likely do the same regarding the drawbacks. Whatever anyones take on the matter may be, have no doubt that experience is a great source of knowledge and vital for those who want to move forward.
