Various students in the School of Communication, Media and the Arts (SCMA) program at Sacred Heart University have different internships and job positions with well-known media companies.
Senior Victoria Montouri is Brian Kilmeade’s “One Nation” intern for FOX News Media. She often travels to the FOX News office in New York City.
“It has always been my dream to work in the city,” Montouri said. “Being able to do that at FOX News is really rewarding.”
Senior Stephanie Patella is a production intern for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” She works on-site in New York City as well. Throughout her time in the office, she sets up the band’s equipment and refreshments, communicates with the research team and explores good headlines for any of the segments on the show, among other responsibilities.
“Last week, I pitched a story on the science behind dogs wagging their tails and it was selected to be included in the ‘Sound of Science’ segment,” said Patella. “This was a super fun opportunity to see my work not only get picked, but recognized in the show.”
Senior Molly Jacob is a part-time freelancer for YES Network and NBC Sports. She works at some Yankees games where she helps reporters with whatever they need while learning from them.
“Let’s say the Yankees game is at 2 p.m.,” Jacob said. “I am waking up at 4:30 a.m. and driving to the Bronx.”
At the end of the game, she goes to the clubhouse where interviews are taking place and then starts her drive back home from the Bronx.
“Working with sports deals with long weekends and late nights, but I find that so rewarding,” said Jacob. “The New York market has the best of the best and I am exposing myself with all these people and making so many connections”.
The process of finding these types of internships and jobs could be the hardest part for students.
“It’s all about connections,” Jacob said. “My neighbor goes to spin class with one of the creative directors of YES Network and I just reached out, introduced myself and expressed my interest in the industry.”
College students that have internships can discover and explore what kind of career they would want to pursue in the future.
“I always knew I wanted to work for a live (or live-to-tape adjacent) television show,” said Patella. “It is just so surreal to have a dream like that come true before even stepping out of college.”
Many Sacred Heart students are inspired by these students’ initiatives. Sophomore Isabella Zalescik, a strategic communication, public relation and advertising major, hopes to follow in their footsteps.
“I’ve heard some students have internships with the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, the Patriots, and many more,” Zalescik said. “It’s exciting to see that people who went through a similar learning experience as me are achieving their dream internships or jobs.”
According to the Indeed Career Guide, internships allow you to network with both new and experienced professionals.
“One piece of advice I have is to keep applying and keep networking,” said Montouri. “The application process doesn’t end after just submitting the form.”
“My favorite part is whenever I walk off the field after a game is over and just feeling that I am a part of something,” said Jacob. “Feeling that I made an impact on this broadcast, and I am chasing my dream.”