WHNT NEWS 19 COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM NEWS SPORTS PRODUCTION PROMOTION SALES/MARKETING WEBSITE 200 Holmes Avenue Huntsville, Alabama 35801 Send inquiries to: Tiffany Golden WHNT Intern Coordinator tiffany.golden@whnt.com 256-535-9338 1-800-533-8819
COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Thank you for your interest in the WHNT News 19 College Internship Program. The program is designed to provide college students of Junior, Senior, and graduate level class standing the opportunity to explore careers in the broadcasting industry while providing meaningful and practical business experience which will generate college credit. WHNT News 19 has a wide range of college internship positions for anyone interested in the broadcasting television business. These internship experiences offer unlimited opportunities to acquire skills and interact with professionals in all departments of the television station. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. WHNT News 19 has three college intern sessions yearly. Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan- May), Summer (May-Aug). Each session runs at least 13 weeks. 2. There are deadlines to apply in order to be considered. We only accept a certain number of interns for each session, so apply early! Fall Semester (Aug-Dec): Applications are due no later than June 30th in order to be considered Spring Semester (Jan-May): Applications are due no later than November 30th in order to be considered Summer Semester (May-Aug): Applications are due no later than March 30th in order to be considered 3. This is an unpaid internship. You must receive college credit for the internship work. Our interns are considered trainees and not employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1973. 4. College Internships with WHNT News 19 are limited to one per student. Each intern will be assigned to a station sponsor for the duration of the internship. 5. WHNT News 19 reserves the right to terminate a student's internship at any point for reasons such as misconduct, poor attendance, insubordination or other serious problems. 6. Upon the offer of an internship, the start date and hours will be determined mutually by the internship supervisor and the student. You will be required to treat this as a job, working certain shifts that from time to time may include weekends and overnight hours. REQUIREMENTS 1. To be eligible for a WHNT News 19 college internship, you must be registered as a Junior, Senior or graduate student in good standing at an accredited college or university. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. The registration must apply for the full duration of the internship.
2. You must receive college or university credit for participating in this program. AGAIN, NO EXCEPTIONS. To receive course credit, you must comply with all school requirements as well as the WHNT requirements. Be fully aware of your school s internship requirements before applying for the WHNT internship program. 3. Most WHNT-TV Departments require college students work 35-40 hours per week during the internship. Some part-time opportunities with a minimum of 20 hours per week are also available, but those willing to intern full-time are preferred. HOW TO APPLY FOR WHNT-TV COLLEGE INTERNSHIP Eligible college students must complete the WHNT News 19 Internship application and mail or email it to the internship coordinator. Answers to the questions should be as specific as possible in identifying career goals, expectations and areas of work interest. Your school internship coordinator or your advisor must complete the bottom portion of the application (COURSE CREDIT CERTIFICATION) before submitting to WHNT News 19. Submit your completed application and a copy of your current resume to: Tiffany Golden Intern Coordinator WHNT-TV 200 Holmes Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801 The internship coordinator will get in contact with you as soon as possible to either conduct a phone interview or to set up one in person. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications received each semester, internships are not guaranteed to all who apply. In the event that you are not chosen for an internship for the semester in which you have applied, but are interested in re-applying for another semester, you will be required to submit a new application in order to secure accurate and current credit certification. If you have a question about the internship program that has not been answered in this application, please call 256-535-9338 and ask for Tiffany Golden between the hours of 1:30pm-10:30pm CST, or leave a voice mail and she will return your call as soon as possible. If you do not reach her by phone, email her at tiffany.golden@whnt.com
INTERNSHIP POSITIONS AVAILABLE NEWS DEPARTMENT - 40 hours per week. Also weekends and overnight hours are possible. Times can vary since we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Description: Helps the Assignment Editor by researching future stories, read/clip newspapers, take phone calls, learn editing, take tape feeds, read wire stories and rewrite, go out on stories with photographers and reporters, listen to scanners, assists all news personnel, observing and assisting with other News Department functions. At the end of this internship, the students will be required to demonstrate the ability to shoot quality video, edit for television and write broadcast copy. Qualifications: Typing, good phone skills, good communications, skills, eager to learn, keen interest in local news events, perseverance, interest, reporting/ interviewing, journalism class or experience, writing ability. Schedule will be determined by the Internship Coordinator WHNT.COM WEBSITE INTERNSHIP - 40 hours per week. Times may vary. Description: Helps the Web Content Manager by researching ways to develop WHNT.com. Learns how to write stories for web, edit video, produce video and audio podcasts. Will also learn how to build graphics for website. Knowledge/understanding of html code for web publishing is a plus. May also help find information for viewers on stories from newscasts. May also assist all news personnel, observing and assisting with other News Department functions. Also helps build web content for sales clients if needed. At the end of this internship, the student will be required to demonstrate the ability to add and update stories on the website, as well as video. Qualifications: Qualified candidates must possess the following skills: typing, good phone skills, good communication skills, eagerness to learn, keen interest in local news and understand how the Internet plays a big part in its future. Also, perseverance, reporting/interviewing skills, journalism class or experience, and knowledge of writing, grammar and spelling are very important. Experience building websites and graphics a plus. Intern schedule will be determined by the Assignment Manager and Web Content Manager.
SPORTS DEPARTMENT - 40 hours per week. Mostly weekends. Description: Watching and logging daily sporting feeds, go out on stories with sports reporters and photographers. At the end of this internship, the students will be required to demonstrate the ability to shoot quality video, edit for television and write broadcast copy. Qualifications: Organizational and interpersonal skills, writing, sports knowledge and keen interest in same. Intern schedule will be determined by Sports Department & Assignment Manager PRODUCTION - 40 house per week. Times may vary. Description: Learn studio camera and audio production board, as well as other Production Department duties, including graphic designs, commercial editing and production, commercial switching and studio lighting. Qualifications: Must be interested in the production side of television. Intern applicants should be familiar with studio camera and audio board functions. This internship will require lots of standing and manual dexterity doing everything from studio camera work to location commercial shoots. PROMOTIONS - 40 hours per week. Times vary. Description: Assist in answering calls from viewers and organizations. Help with production of PSA s, scheduling daily promos and station ID s. Collect and research programming and promotional tape elements for projects. Monitor daily network promo feed. Learn to fill out the daily program logs. Qualifications: Writing, phone etiquette, strong interpersonal skills. Keen interest in public relations. Basic production skills, good organizational aptitude, basic computer skills. SALES/MARKETING - 40 hours per week. Times vary. Description: Help with event coordination and project management, from community events to online contests and sales projects. Writing: scripts, interviews, web copy, research reports, and sales collateral and presentations. Assist with on-location shoots and opportunities to learn basic video editing for commercials. Research topics, create web graphics and ad campaigns and content development for sales projects and clients. Qualifications: Strong writing and interpersonal skills. Keen interest in public relations and events. Basic computer and online skills. Ability to track multiple tasks and deadlines.
WHNT NEWS 19 COLLEGE INTERNSHIP APPLICATION LOCAL TV, LLC. WHNT-TV 200 Holmes Avenue Huntsville, Alabama 35801 Please circle one Session: Fall (Aug-Nov) Spring (Jan-May) Summer (May-Aug) Student Name: Home Address: City, State, Zip: Home Phone: College or University: School Address: City, State, Zip: School Phone: School Advisor: Advisor Address: Advisor Phone: Expected Graduation Date: Class Standing (please circle one): Junior, Senior, Graduate Student
Please respond to the following questions (you may use additional paper if necessary): 1. What are your career goals? 2. How would an internship at WHNT News 19 help you achieve your goals? 3. Keeping in mind the 13 week commitment in mind, what dates are available to start and end your internship? Specific dates are required. START DATE: END DATE 4. Consult the internships available information and list the three internship work areas for which you would like to be considered, in the order of your goals and why these areas have been chosen: 1. 2. 3.
COURSE CREDIT CERTIFICATION (This part for your advisor to complete) Application is invalid without advisor's or school internship coordinator's certification of approved credits. This will certify that is a Junior, Senior or Graduate Student in good standing, and will receive academic credit for an internship with WHNT News 19. Minimum number of work hours required by school for credit: Number of credits student will receive if accepted by WHNT News 19: Advisor (Please print): Signature: Title: School: Date: **Student must attach resume in order to be considered.**