To me, internship hunting is like a maze; you never really know when the end is in sight. It’s true. I’ve been internship hunting for the past 5 months (sorry if you think that’s a little excessive) and am still not even done. I’ve written countless cover letters and made numerous versions of my resume. I guess that’s the small price I pay for not knowing what I want to pursue for a career and choosing many different types of internships to apply for. I never really understood how much work applying for and internship was until I undertook the responsibility of doing so. Good thing I was fully prepared to take on the work. I must give credit where credit is due; my Capstone professor, Mr. Weaver, had the Broadcast Journalism class I 
was enrolled in last semester apply for a job or internship for the final. We had to construct a resume that fit the description of the job or internship and also write a cover letter to whoever was conducting the interviews. My guides from the Career Center and reviewing it with Sonni Abatta, a well known Pittsburgh news anchor for KDKA, really helped me sharpen my resume and cover letter writing skills. Sonni, who I came to know while shadowing her for a day at KDKA last year, provided great insight as to what I should include and omit when writing the perfect resume and cover letter. She has been through the whole process (she started as an intern at KDKA in 2001) and was even able to help me with applying to the KDKA TV, Sports, and Marketing Department internships. I’m slowly coming to realize that networking and connections are key in any field. Her help is much appreciated by a broadcast student continuing to learn and I will continue to welcome it with open arms as long as she is willing to provide it. In addition to KDKA, I have also looked at WTAE in Pittsburgh, every Clear Channel radio station in the city, KDKA News Radio 1020, and ESPN Radio 1250. Many of these are news oriented; however, many also include marketing and advertising in their internship listings, so in that case, I applied for both news and marketing/advertising. I figure it couldn’t hurt; I’m
essentially doubling my chances for getting an internship with any of these media outlets. There are also some strictly marketing/advertising internships I am applying for. The Pittsburgh Steelers/Heinz Field, Heinz Corporation, Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh, Giant Eagle/Market District Corporate, American Eagle Outfitters Corporate, Highmark Insurance, Dick’s Sporting Goods Corporate, PNC Bank, and Forest City Enterprises are corporate enterprises that offer marketing/advertising internships that I feel could benefit me not matter what I choose for a career. I also tried looking at local high schools and colleges/universities for an athletic director internship, but I did not find any available for the summer. I’m beginning to think that I will be fine with all these that I have applied for so far. This whole process has made me very aware of how applying for a job will be in the very near future. I’m still a little nervous for that, but glad that applying for this many internships will help me transition. I’m glad that I will be able use what I learn from whatever internship I receive as a spectacular reference for when I do apply for a job. At least I will be fully prepared when that time comes.
Well, well, well here I am: a second semester junior and embarking on my Capstone, my senior course comprised of a senior project of my choice and all the elements I have learned thus far in broadcasting. It’s going to be quite a ride, especially with blogging being a huge part of this course. At first, starting a blog seemed very unfamiliar and, quite frankly, scared me. I really had no clue what to post. However, after reviewing a few of the blog sites my capstone professor sent our class, I felt more at ease. One of the blogs that particularly caught my interest was that of my friend and fellow BC major, Chris. I chose his, simply because both he and I are big sports fans and I was more than envious when he secured an internship with the Cleveland Indians. While reviewing his blog site, I noticed how much Chris had posted. Pictures, videos, websites, it was overwhelming. I am by no means technologically savvy; however, I try. I really do. I quickly though, “How am I going to be able to do this?!” Then it hit me. I knew I could always ask for help; there’s no shame in doing that. Looking over Chris’ page more put me more at ease. Everything was very orderly and made sense. His blogs gave me a great deal of insight as to what I should make mine look like. As for the Capstone course as a whole, I’m anxious. I’m coming to grips with this is the beginning of the final stage of being a BC major. I’ve pretty much always enjoyed my work as a BC major, now I get to use it all. I await the challenges that are ahead of me, such as timed assignments, extreme deadlines, and blogging every week about something different, with much excitement and anxiety. It’s really weird thinking that in a very short time I’ll be job searching. It’s intimidating in a way, since I still feel like I just graduated from high school. It’s true what they say: time flies when you’re having fun. These years I’ve had a Westminster as a BC major have been the best so far. I think delving into Capstone and really discovering what kind of a career I wish to pursue will be exciting, as well as difficult. I’ve really never been afraid of challenges, so why should I fear this one? Speaking of figuring out what I want to do with my life, I believe I’m pretty close to finding the answer. I’m glad being a broadcasting student has helped me decide what I may want and what I definitely DO NOT want. I know I don’t want to be on-air. Actually now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t want to be involved with behind the scenes production either. I’m looking towards the marketing/advertising side of broadcasting. I’d like to see how I’d do with marketing/advertising at a TV station. I may get a taste of that if I get a marketing internship with KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. On the other hand, I’m thinking something kind of off the wall. As I mentioned earlier, I really enjoy sports. I recently though about becoming an athletic director. High school or college, it doesn’t really matter to me. I would enjoy working to promote athletics in either setting, while still working along side athletes. My path isn’t blazed yet, and I intend to keep it that way for a while. I’m going to take this semester with Capstone and my other courses to see where the wind blows me. I would really be happy doing either of those things and if I have to start small, then so be it! We all have to start somewhere. Me, I’ll be starting the process in Capstone.
was enrolled in last semester apply for a job or internship for the final. We had to construct a resume that fit the description of the job or internship and also write a cover letter to whoever was conducting the interviews. My guides from the Career Center and reviewing it with Sonni Abatta, a well known Pittsburgh news anchor for KDKA, really helped me sharpen my resume and cover letter writing skills. Sonni, who I came to know while shadowing her for a day at KDKA last year, provided great insight as to what I should include and omit when writing the perfect resume and cover letter. She has been through the whole process (she started as an intern at KDKA in 2001) and was even able to help me with applying to the KDKA TV, Sports, and Marketing Department internships. I’m slowly coming to realize that networking and connections are key in any field. Her help is much appreciated by a broadcast student continuing to learn and I will continue to welcome it with open arms as long as she is willing to provide it. In addition to KDKA, I have also looked at WTAE in Pittsburgh, every Clear Channel radio station in the city, KDKA News Radio 1020, and ESPN Radio 1250. Many of these are news oriented; however, many also include marketing and advertising in their internship listings, so in that case, I applied for both news and marketing/advertising. I figure it couldn’t hurt; I’m
essentially doubling my chances for getting an internship with any of these media outlets. There are also some strictly marketing/advertising internships I am applying for. The Pittsburgh Steelers/Heinz Field, Heinz Corporation, Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh, Giant Eagle/Market District Corporate, American Eagle Outfitters Corporate, Highmark Insurance, Dick’s Sporting Goods Corporate, PNC Bank, and Forest City Enterprises are corporate enterprises that offer marketing/advertising internships that I feel could benefit me not matter what I choose for a career. I also tried looking at local high schools and colleges/universities for an athletic director internship, but I did not find any available for the summer. I’m beginning to think that I will be fine with all these that I have applied for so far. This whole process has made me very aware of how applying for a job will be in the very near future. I’m still a little nervous for that, but glad that applying for this many internships will help me transition. I’m glad that I will be able use what I learn from whatever internship I receive as a spectacular reference for when I do apply for a job. At least I will be fully prepared when that time comes.
