A group of 11 college seniors get a five-day intensive training opportunity at WRAL-TV through the CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship Program. |
Capitol Broadcasting Company and WRAL-TV recently concluded the first annual CBC-University of North Carolina Diversity Fellowship Program. Eleven journalists who are college seniors from across the country spent five days at WRAL-TV from March 13-17, 2013. The students spent time in the field with WRAL new photographers, crafted stories, prepared their own newscasts and had a variety of sessions about the broadcasting industry.
The UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication and Capitol Broadcasting Company’s WRAL-TV created the program in an effort to help increase diversity in the broadcasting industry.
The CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship Program is a fellowship program for 10-15 graduating college seniors or graduate students finishing their programs who are pursuing broadcast careers as reporters, videographers, editors, producers or directors.
The students get a chance to spend some social time together as well. |
The intensive workshop, which is open to seniors at any college or university, is designed to help fellows land a first job and be prepared to advance in the industry. Fellows received funding to offset travel and accommodation expenses.
The purpose of the program: give some of the brightest potential stars the opportunity to learn about our profession and WRAL. In addition, they were able to produce an outstanding story on their resume reel in order for them to have a better chance to land a first good job.
WRAL plans to track the career progress of these sharp students and hope that one day some will be back as our colleagues.
“Our goal is to provide the fellows with a hands-on learning experience, something they can use to get started in their careers,” said WRAL-TV VP & GM Steve Hammel. “We’d also like to keep in touch with them about future openings here at WRAL-TV.”
The 11 students in the inaugural class of the CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship Program. |
Students get a chance to create newscasts. |
“This is an unparalleled opportunity for students looking to get their break in the broadcast industry,” said Susan King, dean of UNC’s journalism school. “WRAL-TV is highly regarded industry-wide, and we’re honored to partner with them to bring greater diversity to that industry.”’
WRAL-TV professionals and UNC journalism faculty members led the workshop at the WRAL-TV studios in Raleigh, N.C., and on the UNC campus.
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Aysu Basaran for contributions to this capcom story & for these capcom photos.
