E A S T
C A R O L I N A
U N I V E R S I T Y
School of Communication I N T E R N S H I P
P R O G R A M
Tomorrow starts here.
Photo contributed by Jillian Morrow
Looking for an internsh ip?
Start here.
For information about School of Communication internships, including a link to the application form, visit:
www.ecu.edu/cs-cfac/comm/current/internships.cfm Also visit the Career Center at ECU’s internship page for more information about internships:
www.ecu.edu/cs-studentaffairs/career/students/looking.cfm Students electing the internship-for-credit option must enroll in COMM 4091 and complete the registration process by the beginning of the internship semester. For more information contact the School of Communication’s Internship Coordinator. 1
The School of Communication blends scholarship with real-world experience in order to prepare our students for the challenges they face as they enter today’s competitive job market. We facilitate internships for students in order to introduce them to the professional world they are preparing to enter as journalists, filmmakers, public relation professionals, and all of the many professional fields our students enter upon graduation. We have placed students in internships in such varied settings as the following media:
near
& far
■ American Red Cross ■ Center For Family Violence and Prevention ■ ECU Alumni Association ■ ECU Athletics – Media Relations ■ ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness ■ Evolve Marketing ■ Pitt County Arts Council ■ Pitt Memorial Hospital
■ CBS – LA & NY ■ HBO ■ Johns Hopkins Health ■ Mercedes Benz ■ MTV ■ National Republican Congressional Committee ■ NBA
■ Pitt County Boys and Girls Club ■ Real Crisis Center ■ United Way Pitt County ■ Uptown Greenville ■ WITN ■ WNCT ■ WCTI ■ WWAY Wilmington
■ NBC Universal ■ Sirius/XM Radio ■ Sony BMG Music ■ Sundance Channel/Film Festival ■ Universal Records ■ Wake Med
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STUDENTS FIND POSITIONS IN VIRTUALLY EVERY INDUSTRY. FROM MUSIC TO TELEVISION TO SPORTS, SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION STUDENTS MAKE AN IMPACT.
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La’Trish Mack interned with 102 JAMZ. and met artists such as B.O.B. backstage,
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Kelsey Brosi interned with E! Network in Los Angeles in 2011.
Ashley Adams had a summer internship with E! in New York City.
Abbey Way interned for Pittsburgh Sports Radio 93.7 The Fan.
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-DR. LINDA KEANE, SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR
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Stephen McNulty at UNC vs. ECU game while interning for Purple! magazine.
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TIP: visit the ECU School of Communication website for more details about students’ current and past internships.
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An internship is part of the educational experience.
Amy Mangus worked with NFL Films in the International Production Operations Department.
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In the media industry, it’s Ta k i n g i n or
sink swim by Kirstie Russell
As a junior at East Carolina University, Kelsey Brosi was on the Woman’s Swim team while studying Broadcast Journalism. “I finally decided I wanted to be a broadcast journalist and looked into ECU’s School of Communication. I looked at their program and immediately fell in love,” said Brosi. “All of the classes were something I was extremely interested in and would love to do.” A concern on every student’s mind is whether the classes they’re taking are really going to help them in the future. The School of Communication makes an effort to prepare its students for their careers after college. The lessons and assignments taught within the School helped prepare Brosi for her summer internship with Sirius XM Radio. In turn, the internship taught Brosi how to write and record show promos, create show pitches to be used on air, and edit audio.
Photo courtesy of Corinne Gretler
Photos courtesy of Kelsey Brosi
After graduating, Corinne Gretler found herself standing in front of an old building at Piazza Grazioli, marveling at the sign that marked the new chapter of her post-ECU life: “AP -Associated Press Italia.” According to her, interning at the AP would be everything but a lovely Roman holiday. It involved long hours at work, a lot of pressure and criticism, and many mistakes to learn from. The AP Rome Bureau handles news coverage for Italy and the Vatican. At the news desk, Gretler’s duties included researching background information, and checking facts and sources for staff writers on subjects from Galileo Galilei’s bones to freedom of the press in Italy. She staffed several assignments including the opening of Rome’s new contemporary art museum, an anti-government protest and
Kelsey with actor/producer John Schneider Kelsey using audio editing equipment.
The opportunity with Sirius XM radio was “unbelievable” and the hands-on work helped to further her knowledge and experience in the field. With the help of instructors and communication classes, Brosi was more than prepared to handle the fast paced internship. Brosi also attributes a lot of her success as an undergrad to the sport of swimming. As many student-athletes will tell you, without hard work, dedication and large amounts of caffeine, being successful is not an option. Not only was she able to maintain a GPA of 3.6, and hold a varsity record as one of East Carolina’s fastest swimmers in school history, she also went on to do another internship with E! Entertainment Television in California. Gretler outside the Italian Associated Press building.
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Italia
a doping hearing for an Italian cyclist. The budding reporter also covered press conferences on a variety of subjects including archaeological discoveries, the Rome Film Festival and airport security in Italy. “After the first few failures, such as not finding a scandal-ridden politician’s top notch lawyer’s phone number, not being able to transcribe an hour-long interview in Italian in a timely manner or forgetting to make note of the names of every single person I talked to regarding the arrest of a Mafia boss in southern Italy, I realized that college had left me feeling omnipotent,” Gretler related. “Just because you enjoy success in school does not mean you understand what it’s like out there in the wilderness, in the real world.” In the real world, and especially at news agencies, confidence, accuracy and speed are what count, Gretler stated. “A story breaks -- let’s say the Pope gets tackled during the Christmas midnight service. Everything needs to happen immediately. That means having to find phone numbers, transcribing audio sequences and confirming quotes and facts within fifteen minutes, as well as writing a rough draft of the article as fast as possible.” She added that some interns have broken down crying and some have quit the internship early. “Though daily criticism was part of the internship, I have never enjoyed nor gained so much valuable experience like I did during my AP internship.”
Through a contact Gretler made at the AP, she managed to get an internship with John Hooper, UK’s longest-serving foreign correspondent, now the Rome correspondent for The Economist and the Guardian. “I worked very closely with Hooper, so my learning experience differed quite dramatically from that at the AP,” Gretler said. “At the AP, I was thrown into the pool without actually knowing how to swim, but was still expected to swim 10 laps in under four minutes. Working with Hooper, on the other hand, was a lot more personal, a lot more collaborative with a lot less pressure than at a news agency. I was doing the same work as I did at the AP,
“Contacts are of utmost importance.” but at a much slower pace.” Gretler believes that, although luck and talent are important factors in journalism, having a solid network is equally as important. “This leads me to the piece of advice I would like to dispense. My experience has confirmed even more strongly what I have always known. Contacts are of utmost importance. Contact them. Talk to them. Ask them questions.”
ITALIA, continued on p. 8 6
Outside the
by Katie Fulp
a job in broadcasting was very different from public relations, she was able to gain a lot of knowledge from the internship.
Still not connected? 7
“Overall the most important thing that I learned while studying public relations that I could also use and relate to my work at the news station was making sure to get my facts straight,” said Owen. She also learned quite a bit about strategic planning when helping
“...I had no idea that the daily news process was so complicated.”
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L I T T L E
by Cathrine Ibanez
Melissa Plunkett always had a desire to return to New York City. After 17 years in High Point, N.C., she went back to intern with MTV in 2011. East Carolina University offers an internship program that works in conjunction with the ECU Career Center. The program allows students an “intern-for-credit” option with a series of requirements including enrolling in COMM4091- Internship Seminar. Before MTV, Plunkett interned with WITN-7 news station in Greenville, N.C. But, suffering from, as Frank Sinatra would sing, “these little town blues,” Plunkett wanted to intern in Manhattan. She got her wish. MTV Studios is located in the middle of a busy metropolis, right at a major intersection, Manhattan’s Time Square. Plunkett mingled with celebrities like the cast of Jersey Shore, and reality stars Kourtney and Kim Kardashian. “Your hard work pays off,” says Plunkett. “You learn even small tasks and projects are important.” Students can take what they have learned in the
the reporters set up interviews. Owen was able to use her public relations skills when contacting sources for interviews and trying to persuade people to talk on camera. She approached potential interviewees the same way she would if she were working a PR job. After the internship was over, Joanna decided that broadcasting was not for her but she was glad she was able to experience something different from the daily grind. So, yes, broadcast journalism and public relations internship experiences do seem to overlap in some respects -- providing similar benefits for communication students of all concentrations. “If someone can teach me the skills of ITALIA, continued from p. 6 their profession then communication Such initiative is key, Gretler noted. is going to be beneficial no matter what “Before I moved to Rome, I bought a book about you’re doing,” explained Dr. Fraley. what it’s like living in Rome. It was by an American author who has been living in Rome for the past ten years. I researched his email address after I had read the book and suggested we meet for a coffee when I’m in Rome.” Gretler ended up living in the same neighborhood. “Not only did he introduce me to the best café in Rome, but also gave me the contact information for the
Visit ecu.edu/comm to learn more.
T O W N
Photo courtesy of Melissa Plunkett
Students with a journalism concentration work at a news station or a newspaper, while public relations students would work in the PR department of a company. But do public relations internships and broadcast journalism internships overlap in some ways? “One of the values of getting a Communication degree is no matter what industry or what profession you go into, Communication relates to it,” said Dr. Todd Fraley, Internship Coordinator and professor for the School of Communication. He believes that there are many benefits that students can get from working in other areas of the communication field outside of their particular concentration. “Students who have done internships that aren’t directly related to their course of study have realized that they have other interests and they would like to pursue that area,” said Dr. Fraley. He explains that these students are able to see how other professions overlap with what they’re studying in school in a way they never thought. Not every student has a great experience doing this but they are always able to take something from it. Some communication majors with a concentration in public relations have interned at news stations and found it to be very beneficial. For example, Joanna Owen graduated from ECU in May 2011with a degree in Communication with a
concentration in public relations. During her time in school, she worked at WWAY News Channel 3 as a news intern. She would shadow reporters when they went out to interview and film stories. “It was kind of overwhelming at first because I had never used a news camera before and I had no idea that the daily news process was so complicated,” said Owen. She was able to meet many influential people around the Wilmington area and was grateful to make many new connections. Some of her tasks to make phone calls for interviews and write voiceovers for the news anchors. Even though the newsroom terminology took some getting used to, she was able to use a lot of what she learned in PR classes while writing voiceovers. She found that although
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Melissa Plunkett while interning at MTV
classroom at ECU and incorporate it into an internship. “The professors are always willing to help out when needed, and they always have great input,” she says. “You attend class, because you want to learn. You attend an internship because you want to learn. The difference is an internship allows you to put what you learned to use.” After working for MTV Studios, Plunkett has this advice: Remember that networking is extremely important. “Never burn any bridges with former employers, you don’t know whose help you’re going to need in the future,” she said.
BBC correspondent.” Several meetings and a weekend with him and his wife in their country house followed. Though the BBC was not looking for anyone to fill a position, the moment CNN was looking for an intern, they contacted Gretler. “Keep in touch,” Gretler advises. “You never know whose handshake will lead you to new places and opportunities. I for one had never dreamed of spending a magnificent year in Rome, in the fast-paced, adrenalinepumping environment that is international journalism.” 8
The first step of getting hired:
th e internsh ip inter view
1
Before the interview
+ Research the employer + Research the position for which you are interviewing + Assess your skills and be prepared to answer questions about them + Prepare your attire at least a week before your interview date + Take a “dry run” drive to the location of your interview to be sure you know where it is and how long it takes to arrive + Meet with an ECU career coach for a mock interview
+ Smile and shake hands firmly + Make eye contact + Speak slowly and distinctly + Answer questions clearly + Express genuine interest + Ask for the job + Obtain a business card from the interviewer + Shake hands firmly at the end of the interview
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Day of the interview + Allow plently of travel time + Be in the lobby about 10 minutes early + Bring extra resumes and references + Carry a business portfolio and pen
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During the interview
After the interview + Make notes about key points from the interview + Send a thank you note to the interviewer + Follow up weekly or on a schedule that you and the interviewer agree upon
Information courtesy of ECU’s Career , located at 701 East Fifth Street. 10
The Career Center East Carolina University Students can visit the Career Center to improve resumes, practice and learn interviewing skills, and recieve advisment about acquiring internships that may help with future job hunting. 11
OUR MISSION The Career Center at East Carolina University supports and empowers students in their career development to succeed as professionals in a global community.
OUR VISION ECU graduates are prepared to pursue and manage their careers within a global community.
OUR VALUES Empowerment: Students will be empowered to make informed career decisions. Collaboration: Through building relationships with faculty, staff, and employers, students will establish valuable career connections. Development: Student development is enhanced by self-exploration and discovery. Preparation: We prepare and engage students to become professionals in a changing global workforce. 12
Real internships. Real experience. 252.328.4227 ■ www.ecu.edu/comm ■ School of Communication, East Carolina University, 102 Joyner E., Greenville, N.C. 27858 The School of Communication has been an active force on campus and significant contributor to East Carolina University since 1989 when ECU began offering a BA in Communication in a Department of Communication. We have come a long way since 1989. Today we are the School of Communication, housed in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. We offer a BS in communication with four different undergraduate concentrations—interpersonal and organizational communication, media studies, journalism and public relations. In fall 2006 we began offering our MA in communication with an emphasis in health communication. Our interpersonal/organizational concentration is also offered completely online for distance education students. In total, the School of Communication now has more than 1,000 students and more than 30 faculty members and staff.
Photo courtesy of the School of Communication
East Carolina University has a proud heritage. From early days as a school for training teachers to a national doctoral research university, we have continually served our region with quality and commitment since 1907. Our commitment is an expression of our motto, Servire, or To Serve. We believe that no university has done a better job of public service than East Carolina University, and we will continue to be a national model for how to use university resources for the greater public good. ECU is committed to the three traditional missions of the public university: service, teaching, and research. We take great pride in the record of achievement and success that has been established by our many alumni. We remember the many hard-fought victories that make up the storied tradition of Pirate athletics. We are proud of our national and international leadership in medicine, health sciences, and teacher preparation. We are proud of our award-winning excellence in the visual and performing arts. Above all, we are proud of the vital contributions our people and programs have made for the betterment of North Carolina.
Let’s communicate. Visit ecu.edu/comm to learn more. 5,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $1.99. Cost, according to G.S. 143-170.1, includes printing costs (labor and materialsand other identifiable costs, such as design, typesetting, and binding. Document was printed on recycled paper.