Texas Christian University Student Ella Mercer interned at WTTG-TV, the local FOX 5 D.C. TV station. Her experiences in front of and behind the camera, including reporting, shooting footage, producing TV packages and more opened her eyes to the wealth of possibilities in broadcast media and provided an amazing portfolio of content and relationships to fuel her future.
Where did you intern and what are some of your responsibilities there?
I interned at FOX 5 DC, a local news station. I got to experience all areas of their high-tech newsroom. From gathering news at the assignment desk to producing in the booth and everything in between, I learned the ins-and-outs of broadcast journalism.
Tell us about a project you worked on during your internship that was your favorite, the most challenging, or the most exciting.
One of my favorite assignments was field producing. The team would go out on location to produce live and taped specials. I worked on a ZipTrip, where we produced 4 hours of live news in National Harbor. I also field produced a taped Thanksgiving cooking special. The food and the experience were unforgettable!
Ella Mercer left her mark on our newsroom. She contributed to editorial meetings, often speaking up on stories. She would help make phone calls to support the assignment desk and worked with producers to perfect her broadcast writing. Her curiosity is that of a seasoned journalist.
Kyle Carmean, Assistant News Director, FOX5 WTTG
How have you expanded your professional network during your time with TWC?
I made connections with professional journalists who have been in the news industry for decades. TWC has networking events for students many times during the semester. If you don't know anyone in Washington yet, you'll leave TWC with at least 4 or 5 solid connections.
How has this experience impacted your career goals?
I went into this internship wanting to be an on-air reporter, but after learning about other areas of the newsroom, I’ve decided to focus on production. Without this internship, I might still be chasing a career path that wouldn’t be as fulfilling for me.
What advice do you have for students considering an internship with TWC?
There's always a million reasons not to do something. I told myself, “It's too far away,” “I’m too busy,” and “I’m not cut out for this.” But I'm so grateful I came to D.C. And you will be, too!
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