The 2017 CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship on the WRAL-TV news set.

WRAL hosted 12 student journalists from across the country as part of the fifth annual CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship.

Each spring, WRAL teams up with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to welcome the students to participate in a five-day intensive program preparing them for future broadcast media careers.

Professors and professionals from UNC’s School of Media and Journalism and Capitol Broadcasting Company’s WRAL-TV and WRAL.com lead workshops about real careers in the industry.

The young journalists, who are within six months of graduating, collaborate in groups and individually to craft digital stories and to build a television newscast. The goal is to provide them with the best possible material to send to perspective employers.

“They are ready to wow newsrooms across the country,” said Aysu Basaran, assistant news director for WRAL-TV. “We put them through a rigorous program with very little down time. They’re on the go for 10 or more hours a day, and the end result is something they can really be proud of when they apply for jobs.”

A 2017 CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship Fellow gets ready for a live shot with WRAL-TV Photojournalist Keith Baker.

This year’s fellowship included representation from a variety of colleges and universities, including Suffolk University, San Francisco State, University of Tampa, UNC, NC A&T University, Ithaca College, Syracuse University, University of Maryland, University of Southern California and American University.

“I am pleased that CBC looks to aid aspiring journalists on an annual basis with our good friends and partners at the UNC School of Media and Journalism, “ said Steve Hammel, vice president and general manager of WRAL-TV and FOX 50 . “After interacting with and seeing these journalists in action, I have great hope for them and for our industry.  I am delighted that our WRAL staff takes joy in helping the students realize their goals.”

The program will continue for at least three more years.

The fellows’ finished product – stories, videos, the full newscasts and digital extras – are available at http://www.wral.com/news/local/asset_gallery/16591858/

Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Aysu Basaran for this capcom story & to Lynn Owens, WRAL-TV’s Richard Adkins, Larry McGill & Aysu Basaran for these capcom photos.

SLIDESHOW:  5th Annual CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship