True Life: I’m an Intern
This summer I had the opportunity to intern with a TV Azteca, a national network with a news bureau here in Chicago. It has been one of the most hands on internships I have ever had and probably will ever have. When I started I did not realize that I would be out on the field with other professional journalist covering the same stories they were. I don’t remember if it was my second day or third day but I was told by the reporter to interview people on the streets about the violence in Chicago. I never in my life was so nervous. The good thing that the first man that I talked to actually volunteered himself to talk to me. After that I would get nervous interviewing but after a couple interviews, interviewing people now is not so bad. I have interviewed average joe’s, to state representatives, to police representatives.
I have met so many people out in the field. All the local spanish media in Chicago I have met. I have covered stories with them, been to press conferences with them, and seen the true side of journalism with a few of them. I have gotten free stuff during this internship like t-shirts, tickets to shows, and food. The one thing I loved about this internship is that I never know what were going to do. One day we can do a story on immigration raids and the next day we can be convering the high taxes in Chicago and the next day a soccer team coming to Chicago.
I have met a wide range of people, from state representatives, community activist, camera men, reporters, average joe’s, lawyers, and alderman. It has been such a wonderful experience and I love what I do. I was given the opportunity to intern with them in the fall and I was not going to give up that opportunity and I took the offer.
Today I was going to do my first stand up, which is when you seen the reporter standing in front of the camera. This was my first time doing it and as I was about to start shots rang out from a neighboring mechanic shop across the street. When I first heard them I did not think they were gunshots but fireworks. As I looked across the street I saw a young man no older than 18 run out of the barber shop putting something in his pocket. I was part of breaking news. It was live and very exciting, just one of many stories I have with being an intern.
The camera’s name is Juan Guajardo and the news correspondent’s name is Viviana Avila. We have grown to work as a team over the past few months and I think that together we put a good news package. Even though sometimes the camera man can be hard headed and not listen to me, he still does what he has to do. I really enjoy this internship and even though I am not getting paid the knowledge, the hands on experience, and the people I have met are priceless. Juan Anguiano fuerza informativa azteca!
