First, I want to thank the Illinois Broadcasters Association and Director Frank Whittaker for making this internship possible. Back in February, I was selected for their Multicultural Internship Program, which places students in radio and TV newsrooms across the state. Through this opportunity, I spent my summer gaining hands-on experience at WGN Radio, a historic and trusted station in downtown Chicago. Working in the city has long been a goal of mine, especially given its fast-paced, vibrant media environment.

During my time in the newsroom, I worked as a reporter, writing scripts, practicing anchoring, and refining my on-air voice. I also learned the mechanics of producing live shows, which involved timing segments, logging commercials, monitoring audio levels, editing in Adobe Audition, and publishing content live.

I was fortunate to collaborate with and learn from a talented team, including John Williams, David Hochberg, Jon Hansen, Pete Zimmerman, Ryan Burrow, and many others. Every day brought something new, from on-air discussions about summer blockbusters, the FIFA World Cup, and Chicago’s food scene, to interviews with legal, financial, health, entertainment, and agricultural experts.

Overall, this experience sharpened my technical broadcasting skills, built my confidence during live airtime, taught me how to adapt quickly, and helped me find my voice. I am deeply grateful for the mentorship of Vice President and General Manager Mary Sandberg Boyle and Operations Manager Ashley Bihun. I look forward to staying connected with this incredible team and tuning in every week!