Star WCNC Intern

My last day interning at WCNC was Sunday, and I am going to miss it dearly. Sunday, there was a lot of action and it made my last day a blast. I got to go out on three scenes with photographer Kevin Ridley, and I came in handy.

The first scene was a little fire that didn’t do much damage, so we went back to the station. Then all of a sudden there was a call about a shooting, as soon as we heard, Kevin and I were back out for some good footage.

When we arrived at the scene, it was something to see. This scene made me learn so much about reporting and how important it is to get good information. I say this because I was the one the police gave information to.

I understood that I was also a big help today in a stabbing story. Witnesses at the scene did not speak English, so I had to put my Spanish learning into play. I always asked my Spanish teacher whether it’s worth it to be bilingual, and she said, “Star you will find out just how important it is to know two languages.” I now am glad those Spanish classes paid off and came in handy.

Just like Sunday, during these last six weeks I have gotten to do so much. Thanks to WCNC, I have learned so much that will be used in my future. I appreciate the opportunity given to me. I am going to miss my journey here but I also know it helped me become a better student. I love the people here, I felt welcomed in and I know I can come back to visit and just to let you all know, I LOVE WCNC! Thank you so much.

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Seeing Beyonce

Star WCNC Intern

As I came into work last weekend, I was in for a big surprise. I began working on the beat calls, which I have gotten really good at these past few weeks, when my assignment editor asked me if I wanted to go out and follow a reporter again.

Of course, I didn’t refuse. I began to realize working at WCNC has a lot of benefits. This Sunday night was going to be like no other, because it was the same night as the Beyonce concert, and guess what? I was asked to go and help cover it!

Talk about jumping for joy -- I was, and more. Yes, I got lucky that Sunday night, as I was in the Bobcats Arena with an all-access pass, shooting live the Beyonce concert.

As we were shooting the concert I stopped and thought for a moment about how many blessings God has given me this year, working at the lovely and fun WCNC news station.

My grandmother always said if you work hard, it will benefit you and that’s what attitude I have kept while interning here. Also I caught myself laughing out loud as I watched Beyonce on stage (up close), and saying to myself, “Now would I rather see Beyonce live and in person for free, or go to ‘Summer Fest’ and pay?”

So to sum up this working weekend, I basically went to sleep in front of my little sister singing Beyonce’s song, “Get Me Bodied,” that she performed that night. I also went to sleep thanking the wonderful WCNC news staff for my great experience.

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Meeting a name twin

Kelli WCNC Intern

I have been so busy at work and loving every minute it. In the past couple of weeks I have covered intense stories, gained experience and learned a lot.

I have covered murder cases, met a celebrity and got the opportunity to accompany Mike Redding and Andy Benton on one of their Carolina Traveler excursions! The sites were just as amazing as the stories.

It was educational as well as thrilling to accompany reporters and photographers on murder cases. The worst part is having to speak with the family members of the victim. One must be prepared for anything, because some people really do not want to speak to the media and have no problem expressing it.

Fortunately there are others who do not have a problem with opening up to the media and even sharing photos of the victim. I have been confronted by both types of people and it was good practice for my career.

I have learned just as much from the photographers as I have from the reporters. They are always willing to share their past experiences and give tips from what they have learned. Every time I go out with a crew I gain more knowledge of the business.

I met Kellie Pickler and sat in on her interview with our reporter and photographer before she performed at the Verizon amphitheatre. She was really nice and it is always fun to meet a name twin. Her fans were really excited to be there to support her and they had no problem getting on camera to show their love. It was extremely hot and we had to do a lot of walking but that is part of the job so of course I loved that too.

The Carolina Traveler duo was a hoot! They were very funny and taught me a lot. We covered an interesting story and had the opportunity to learn some interesting facts and meet some very nice people.

I can’t wait to see what this week has in store for me.

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Breaking news excitement

Star WCNC Intern

While on the job this week, I got to follow reporter Melissa Martin around. I called her my good luck charm, because we had to go and do some breaking news.

A man was robbed and left in a creek. While there on the scene, I got the experience of a lifetime in my news life. I witnessed the victim being rescued and pulled out of the creek by firefighters and police, and I also saw the suspect being arrested for the robbery.

When I say I love these kinds of stories, I mean it, because they are not boring and dull but very interesting. This footage made me understand and see for myself what I would be doing if I were in Melissa’s shoes.

We interviewed witnesses, shot the scene, talked with police and even got a firsthand look of the scene. I truly can say that day was a day to share and as soon as I got home all I did was talk about what a great day this was.

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For the love of the job

Star WCNC Intern

Well it is my third week at the job and it gets better each day I am here. I have met so many wonderful people and I have finally got the hang of things around here.

Each day, I learn more and more. Yesterday I was so excited because I got to go under the ropes at a courthouse to get some information about a local hit and run with reporter Tony Burbeck.

I say this type of day is exciting for me, because I want to become a reporter and this gives me a firsthand experience in what my job will be like.

A lot of the employees say I better not be in this business for the money, but because I love it. I now understand where they are coming from and from the looks of it these people here love what they do, and that is a joy to be around each and every day.

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Kelli WCNC Intern

My second week

Today kicks off my second week at this marvelous station!

I will have to adjust to the Sunday-Monday weekend. Saturday I had the pleasure of coming in to the station and working the late shift. It was tranquil compared to weekdays in the station. I worked at the assignment desk so the tranquil mood was disturbed by the scanners. There were reports of trees fallen and power outages so we sprung into action.

My favorite part of the evening was writing scripts and sitting in the booth when the 11 p.m. news came on. I saw how producers work their magic and help the show run smoothly when disaster lurks in the studio. A perfect production was aired and I learned more about what goes on behind the scenes.

I will spend a lot of time in the station and will get to do my favorite thing (go out with reporters) only once a week.

I will use my optimism to my advantage by seeing the good in staying at the station. I will get to learn all about what goes on behind the scenes, I will stay cool during the fire-like temperature during the day and I get to know my co-workers better. Everyone here is so nice!

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Casey WCNC Intern

Working the weekends

The Wonderful Carolinas News Connection station has a certain quiet and relaxing feel on the weekends. From the friendly joking to the great conversations, I felt at home. I love working on Saturdays, because it’s more intimate, and for an intern, that’s code for more learning.

However, do not be fooled by the quietness, because breaking news can occur at any hour of any day.

This Saturday was no exception. Charlotte experienced severe weather, causing trees to fall on roads/houses, fires, car accidents and plenty of power outages. In the amount of time it took for the rain to fall, the scanners started spitting out police and fire department information.

Within minutes, we went from calm to chaos. The rush was inspiring, and I knew everything was fitting together perfectly. I enjoyed feeling helpful this weekend, and I hope that Saturday was made easier because of my presence!

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Star WCNC Intern

You never know until you try

I thought I wasn’t going to get through today.

I say this because I had to work on the Web. Computers are not my favorite, so I felt I was in some trouble. After watching my helper for the day, Josh, run video after video, I began to think, “Now where in the world do I start?”

When he told me it was my turn to help out on the Web site, I thought to myself he must be joking. He wants my writing on the Web?

The day went pretty fast for me because I wasn’t noticing the time; instead I was put to work doing some reports on sports, Carolina Traveler, and Did You See? videos. Never in a million years did I think my work would be on display, but hey I guess you can go back to that old saying, “You never know what you can do until you try.”

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Kelli WCNC Intern

In the field

Yesterday was sweltering and it was my day to go into the field with a reporter. There was a lot of work to be done, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

First we went to a press conference and then we had interviews to conduct. It was a lot of fun, even though all of the interviews were done outside where it felt like the sun was resting on our shoulders. I was on cloud nine all day and then the heat took its toll on me and my energy level was completely drained by the end of the day. It was worth every minute of it.

Today it is all about the assignment desk. This means more beat calls, more scanners, more e-mails, more answering calls and more sending crews into the field to cover whatever stories are big for the day. This is fun as well, but I really look forward to the next time I get to go into the field. Until then, I will be paying my dues from the wonderful newsroom of WCNC!

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Star WCNC Intern

Not your typical 9 to 5

Coming into this station, I didn’t know what was expected of me. The first day it was not a typical job of sitting at a desk from 9 to 5.

I got to answer beat calls and follow everyone around the newsroom. If you are thinking news is just the people that perform on television, well you are in for a rude awakening.

I love the internship so far and I am very excited to see what is in store for me these next few weeks. Also, following a reporter around was my favorite thing to do today. I love the people and the environment that I am in.

Talk about being on television -- I’ve only been here two days and both days my friends have said they have seen me in the background and said, ”Star you are just a Big Superstar.”

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Kelli WCNC Intern

Back early from lunch

My second day has been more exciting than my first! It is so great to have a job where you actually want to go back to work early from lunch.

Today I wrote my first story and posted it on the WCNC Web site. I was also able to edit stories as well as post stories and videos. I have learned so much! I have had so much fun and am actually sad that the end of the day has come so quickly.

But there is an upside to everything, so now I will be even more excited to come back to work after the Fourth of July and gain more knowledge from WCNC staff.
Happy Fourth of July to all!

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Kelli WCNC Intern

Paying my dues

I fell in love with this business in the 5th grade and I have been working toward my goal of becoming a national network correspondent ever since.

With the help and support of my mother and father, I have participated in several internships over the years. I believe this one will be amongst the most interactive and exciting!

So far, I have made exhilarating beat calls, listened to the scanners, taken notes, observed the newsroom hustle and bustle as well as asked several hundred questions.

This intern process is only the beginning of “paying my dues.” I love everything about this business and I look forward to the rest of my internship. I can’t wait to discuss my first day with my parents!

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Casey WCNC Intern

Assignment Desk Blues

Today, I’ve been giving the task of tackling the exciting assignment desk. Sure… I know what you're thinking, “sitting at a desk answering phone calls all day is harmless”, but that’s where you’re wrong.

You see…I was told that the information I gather from these phone calls has the potential to be BIG breaking news… it just hasn’t happened yet!

I’ll continue sifting through the scanners, answering the phones and making the hourly beat calls in hopes of catching a big story.

Happy Tuesday all… and a big pat on the back for the assignment desk crew, because the station wouldn’t be here without you!

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Caroline WCNC Intern

Love it or hate it.

From the minute you enter the newsroom you either love it or hate it. I obviously love it. Otherwise I wouldn't be here, but for others the newsroom is a slowly acquired taste.

The newsroom is just that - a room full of news and thus noise. I'm pretty sure that the noise is what effects people the most. There's tons of it, from the scanners at the assignment desk to the producers talking about how to set up their rundowns.

For some people the noise is annoying, for others it's a rush. I've grown accustom to the noise during my time here and surprisingly I've learn to love it. In fact, I've learned to hate the quiet since in our industry that means only one thing - a slow news day.

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Casey WCNC Intern

My big debut

Occasionally, the reporters will go live from the news room. This is a routine occurrence for the staff, but not for a college intern.

My days are spent in front of a computer, with frequent trips to the copy room, bathroom and conference room. (I promise I do more, but for the sake of the story we’ll keep to the point) Well it just so happened, that one of those strides was caught on tape. Moments after I sat back at my desk, I received a text message from a friend saying, “I just saw you on television”. Oh my! My first television appearance! Okay, so it was only for a brief second, and I was in the background…but I was still on the news!

Since my television debut, I try not to pay attention to the cameras. Although, holding up a “HEY MOM” sign behind the reporter has crossed my mind a few times, I remain professional and stick to what I love… writing!