The latest installment of the Intern Chronicles is focused on ESPN’s summer interns on the West Coast. Front Row spoke with four interns based at ESPN’s Los Angeles Production Center (LAPC) – or in Ryan Jordan’s case, the company’s Burbank, Calif., office – to learn about their experiences the past two months.
Reggie Chatman, Louisiana State University, Original Content
What are some of the most exciting experiences you’ve had this summer?
The coolest part of my internship experience was being able to be a part of the madness that is the ESPYS in Los Angeles – from working on the pre-show, attending the awards, to meeting and networking with respected journalists, athletes and celebrities at the post party. I also think that being able to see my work on-air, knowing it’s being watched around the country and the world, has been incredible. Working in the LA office forces you to learn how to contribute quickly and take on assignments like a full-time employee, which has been an incredibly valuable experience.
Sierra Sanders, University of Oklahoma, Production Operations
What prior experiences helped make this a successful summer for you at ESPN?
I came into this internship with a lot of years in sports and broadcast production, but never at the network level. So for me, getting into the rhythm of the day-to-day at LAPC was a fairly easy transition from already understanding much of the broadcast world. It’s really awesome to see things I edited or worked on network television.
Dana Merck, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Original Content
What work did you do this summer that you are most proud of?
I am most proud of cutting videos for the show SportsNation. It’s a great opportunity to see your work come to life right before your very eyes on TV. Overall, what I have taken away from this internship is to be punctual and always ask questions.
Ryan Jordan, American University, Affiliate Sales and Marketing
What will you take away from your time at ESPN?
This internship has given me the opportunity to understand the entertainment industry, upcoming trends, and working in a corporate setting. I haven’t had experience in entertainment before, so it was so great to be able to learn about all the exciting projects the Disney Company has in store, as well as how ESPN negotiates deals with affiliates. As an intern in affiliate sales and marketing, I grasped a better understanding of how cable works and its effect on the industry.
