How Do I Get an Internship?

I was so excited about this session. Katie Curcio, director of the CBS Internship program, was the speaker. The session was very informal with the eight people in the room sitting in a circle, just talking. She explained the internship program at CBS and the different departments. There is only one PR internship available and three available within the advertising/marketing departments. During the fall and spring, broadcast interns only work two days a week, and during the summer they are full time. The internships are not paid, but she has set up a partnership with a dorm building to provide low rent housing for interns. Curcio said that sometimes it is hard for participants to balance holding a paying job and getting the full experience of working with the media.

She told our group that the most important qualification to have was to simply love the news! She explained that experience was a Catch-22. Interns need experience, but at the same time sometimes it's best if the experience you have is what you are taught at their station.

Curcio also discussed resumes and interviews. She advised students to research the company that you are applying to before even beginning your resume. When preparing your resume, keep it to one page and include relevant work experience but try to avoid including extracurricular and awards that are insignificant. It is important to include your computer skills as this is becoming increasingly important when applying for a job.

She went on to discuss interviews and the importance of being prepared. In her experience, an interview can make or break an applicant. Curcio emphasized having ideas/story pitches that are relevant to your market lined up for an interview. She also said to keep your options open when applying and not to close yourself off. When asked about areas of interest, be open to any position and just touch on specific areas of interest.

Curcio concluded by summarizing again the importance of the application process and the internship experience and stated that the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

Brittany Byrd