Wvia public television in Pittston, pa, has accepted interns from King’s College, for several years now. Wvia, the local pbs affiliate, offers internships in a wide variety of areas within the field of Communications

WVIA public television in Pittston, PA, has accepted interns from King’s College, for several years now. WVIA, the local PBS affiliate, offers internships in a wide variety of areas within the field of Communications. On the WVIA Web site there is a section solely dedicated to their internship program.

In order to intern at the station, students must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and meet all requirements that are set forth by that particular institution. In addition, all internships are unpaid and must be for college credit. As stated on their Web site, “This is an excellent opportunity to work with professionals in the field and to gain hands-on experience in television/radio production and non-profit development,” (From wvia.org- 4/29/08).

WVIA offers internships in Radio and Television production, Documentary Film Production, Public Relations, Accounting, Education, as well as several other area’s that can be tailor-fitted to suit a particular student’s interest.

Derek Call, a senior Mass Communications major at King’s, interned at WVIA during the summer of 2006, in between his sophomore and junior years of college. Derek worked in the production department and a typical day would involve setting up the studio for the upcoming shows. While there Derek learned how to properly light a production, different camera tricks and techniques, and participated in the summer fundraisers held at the station.

As Derek can attest WVIA is a great place to intern regardless of your career interest in the communications field. Internships are a great way to experience different areas of the field, allowing you to decide what path is right for you prior to graduation.

“I’ve always focused my career path on writing and editing. I tried this internship as an experiment, to see what my feelings were about it,” stated Call. “While I had an amazing time at the station, I learned through my internship that writing and editing are my true passions. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Derek said he would any student considering and internship to apply at WVIA. He noted that in the two years since he’s been there the station has upgraded to a brand new High Definition studio.

“The people there are great, and they really do allow interns to participate in a lot of hands on projects and productions. Even if you don’t enter the field of television production, you learn helpful broadcasting techniques that will stick with you and allow you to have an advantage in the job market,” Call said.

Another senior in the mass communications department, Norm Henderson, interned at the station during the fall semester of his junior year in 2006. While there Norm operated the camera for live shows, in addition to on site camera work at different locations for B-roll footage for live shows. He also helped edit footage and set up studio lighting.

Norm said he benefited from all the hands on experience. From his first day at the station he was involved with the production of shows.

“I would encourage taking an internship at WVIA because you are sure to be involved in all aspects of the company. They put you to work from the very beginning,” said Henderson.

“It is real hands on experience, they through you right into the thick of things, and I think I managed well. They put you in the situations that give the opportunity to learn and succeed.”

Jen Seaman is a senior mass communications major and also interned at WVIA, but unlike Norm and Derek, Jen interned in the education department at the studio. WVIA is very involved with the community and all aspects of education and runs such programs as “Reading Rainbow” and holds events such as “Great Teachers” and “Scholastic Challenge.”

Jen was responsible for putting together the congressional arts competition. She also designed multiple invitations and flyers and wrote letters to school districts. In addition to helping keep things organized by compiling large amounts of information in numerous excel files.

“Through my internship I was able to able to experience a different aspect of the communications field. Sure WVIA is a public television station, but at its core it is a Non-profit corporation,” said Seaman. “While there it opened my eyes to the endless opportunities within my major. I took the skills that I learned in my communications classes and applied them to an educational department within an area of communications.”

WVIA offers the opportunity for all students to experience a public broadcasting station in every aspect of the communications field. From broad to very specific internships, WVIA is sure to offer any student the opportunity to gain hands on experience and excel within the communications field.