PBS Western Reserve expanded its internship program in FY25, with the Content Department employing five paid interns over the course of the year and the Education Department employing two. Internships at PBS Western Reserve provide invaluable career experience to university students, allow PBS Western Reserve to have a greater impact in the community by contributing additional time and effort and strengthen the future of the public media industry.
This year, PBS Western Reserve created a Handshake account at the suggestion of CAC member Loren Lease to strengthen outreach at local universities, including Kent State University and Youngstown State University.
Production intern Laura McCann on her time at PBS Western Reserve
“I really enjoyed my time interning with PBS Western Reserve. Not only did I gain valuable hands-on experience editing and shooting, but I also had the opportunity to engage with my local community. I participated in several community outreach events and got to meet so many awesome people. I’m really proud of the work I did during my time at PBS Western Reserve, and I know I will use the skills I learned to propel my future career!”
Summer intern Sophia Casa on producing local storytelling
“Through this experience I was able to pitch, produce and shoot six LOCAL FOCUS news packages that aired on the PBS website and our PBS channel (my TV debut!). Getting the chance to travel all across Ohio and spotlight theatre festivals, free adult education programs, local artists' galleries, and so much more has been an incredible opportunity to connect with and inform my community.
I also had the chance to edit testimonials about PBS Western Reserve's internship program to help ensure its longevity for years to come and share its impact with our community members.
It has been a rather tough summer for public media, but getting to see firsthand the amount of motivation, inspiration, and excitement that everyone at PBS Western Reserve brings to the table every day and getting to be a part of that has been the gift of a lifetime and affirmed my commitment to quality impactful local news storytelling.”
WAYS TO WATCH:
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1)
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2)
FNX — First Nations Experience (WNEO 45.3 / WEAO 49.3)