Students and others can benefit from a broadcasting internship by gaining hands-on experience working on the air or behind the scenes at a television or radio station. Internships in broadcasting can cover virtually every aspect of a student-run or professional broadcasting company. News gathering and reporting, producing broadcasts, working on an assignment desk, and shooting and editing video are some of the more traditional broadcasting internships. Some of the same internships are available for those interested in online broadcasting.
Producers, production assistants, and news editors are all possible broadcasting internships for those who work behind the scenes. As a producer, you’ll learn how to plan shows and write scripts; technical aspects of shows, such as lighting and sound, may also be covered during the internship. A production assistant assists a producer with administrative tasks such as coordinating and organizing any sound or written materials that are needed.
Internships in technical broadcasting can include working solely with lighting or sound. Video camera operators are employed by television stations and some websites to shoot video in the studio or in public. Some of these jobs also necessitate video editing skills.
News director internships frequently entail coordinating the placement of stories or reports submitted by reporters. Assignment editing may be part of an internship in this field. An assignment editor is in charge of assigning stories to reporters as well as dispatching a news team to cover an event or breaking news.
Internships in general assignment reporting require gathering and reporting on a variety of topics for television or radio stations. The reporter does not cover a single topic. This might entail gathering background information or double-checking facts in stories written by full-time employees in a professional setting.
Other internships in broadcasting may necessitate at least the fundamentals of specialized knowledge. One example is sports reporting. These interns may be tasked with gathering or verifying scores and other data. They may also be in charge of covering actual sporting events or breaking news about local teams. An above-average understanding of sports, from local teams to the professional level, will almost certainly aid you in this endeavor.
Another type of broadcasting internship is weather reporting. These interns are usually meteorology majors with experience writing and reporting weather stories. Internships in this field can provide a lot of practical experience with weather graphics systems and interpreting radar displays.
Some journalists aspire to work as television or radio announcers during their internships. Many of these internships are available on college campuses through student-run radio or television stations. It may be possible to move into a professional setting after gaining some amateur or student experience.
If such programs are available, students can find broadcasting internships at their colleges or high schools. Internships with professional radio and television companies are more competitive in general. Internships may be paid or unpaid in both amateur and professional settings. Some even offer college credit that can be used toward a degree.
Internships are usually only available to current students or recent graduates. Colleges and, in some cases, high schools are used to organize them. Internships give students the opportunity to see if they like a job before committing to a full-time position, while businesses get a taste of potential future employees. Companies may also offer internships to older workers seeking a career change in some cases.