Intern Chronicles

Opportunities For Growth, Networking Abound For ESPN Interns at NABJ Conference

Interns from Hampton University and Arizona State reflect on their experiences at the 2018 Detroit Convention

ESPN’s Cari Champion poses with ESPN intern Raichele Privette at the 2018 NABJ Convention in Detroit. (Raichele Privette/ESPN)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Once again this summer, Front Row’s Intern Chronicles series showcases some of ESPN’s summer interns. For more information on ESPN Internships, visit the ESPN Careers site.

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference held earlier this month in Detroit presented a multitude of opportunities for NABJ Stuart Scott Production intern Raichele Privette and Editorial intern Chancellor Johnson.

Privette, a recent graduate of Hampton University, supports the Production department with a variety of tasks including voiceover and sound for SportsCenter and SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, editing one-plays (home runs and RBI highlights) for digital media on ESPN.com and the ESPN App as well as producing additional baseball and WNBA highlights.

A sports journalism major and rising senior at Arizona State University, Johnson works with ESPN The Magazine, crosschecking facts and writing short pieces for the SEC insert in ESPN’s College Football Preview Magazine.

At the conference, Privette and Johnson attended panel discussions, a career fair, networking opportunities and a Sports Task Force Mentor Breakfast sponsored by ESPN.

Sponsored by NABJ’s student Projects, Johnson was tasked with covering the conference as a broadcast reporter for a Detroit station, WDIV. For NABJ’s platforms, he interviewed ESPN and The Undefeated’s Jemele Hill, the NABJ’s Journalist Of The Year (see excerpt of interview in tweet below).

https://twitter.com/ChancellorTV/status/1027012441975283712

At the career fair, Johnson attended broadcast reel and resume workshops where he gathered advice on preparing for a big interview, landing an internship and perfecting his broadcast reel. Johnson took advantage of a golden opportunity to connect with ESPN NBA reporter Chris Haynes and gather tips on reporting and ways to stand out as a journalist.

At a panel discussion on racism and sexism, Privette listened to the advice and testimonies of various African-American, female and minority sports professionals.

During the networking sessions, Privette and Johnson had the opportunity to speak with ESPN commentators including Hill, Haynes, Michael Eaves, Jay Harris, Marc Spears and other reporters.

At the ESPN-sponsored breakfast, the interns listened to Hill, Harris and The Undefeated’s Bill Rhodenwho was inducted into the NABJ Hall Of Fame – offer advice to rising journalists. Privette was honored as the 2018 Stuart Scott intern and sat with other scholarship honorees and Jemele Hill.

https://twitter.com/_RaicheleP/status/1006306334365581312

Privette and Johnson sat down with Front Row to discuss their experience at the NABJ conference:

What are some lessons you learned from the conference?
Privette: I realized how much I regretted waiting so long to attend the conference because you develop so many good relationships. I am definitely going to next year’s conference in Miami. I also learned to ask for what you want. Nobody can read your mind and people are there to help you.

How do you see the NABJ conference helping your career?
Johnson: The conference will be very beneficial because of all of the networking opportunities. I was able to land my internship at ESPN because of a connection I made at NABJ last year. It’s also inspiring to be in a room of successful and passionate people who have some of the same aspirations as you. I’m able to take that inspiration, my connections, and the advice I’ve received back with me in my senior year.

https://twitter.com/ChancellorTV/status/1026155832776564737

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