USCB Communication Studies Majors Gain Broadcasting Experience During a Virtual Internship with WHHI
In the News, Student Research, Student News, USCB in the Media
Three USCB Communication Studies Majors spent last week gaining valuable broadcasting
experience with local TV station WHHI. Seniors Makayla Bing and Julia Flemming and
junior Nicholas Milhan learned about working on air and behind the camera, producing,
editing, and day-to-day operations of the TV station. The internship culminates today
with a report by each student that will air Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. on WHHI.
Makayla Bing
“This week I learned more about the media side of news production, what goes on at WHHI and the stories that they cover. I got to know the news reporters and how they report their segments. This was a great experience and I wish that it could have been longer,” Makayla said. “I learned you must be prepared about the topic you are planning to talk about. You must research and study your topics. I learned that if you mess up while reporting, just keep going. Presentation is everything and you must have tough skin to be in this business!”
Julia Flemming
“My week-long experience with WHHI was great! Although it couldn’t be in person, I was happy with my experience. The broadcast industry is fast-paced and keeps you busy. WHHI is a great news station for the Lowcounty. I can tell they care about the community and they have a lot to juggle to serve Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head Island as the only public television news station in the area,” said Julia. “I learned how much work the station’s general manager does to make sure everything is taken care of on both the business side and content side. The editor edits the whole the package, which includes the reports and the commercials. The producer sets up interviews with community members. I learned a lot about creating good branding for oneself and how to create and conduct a report that will be seen by 70,000 households. Overall, there’s a lot that goes into local news that people who aren’t in the profession don’t see.”
Nick Milhan
“Working with WHHI has given me the information I needed about how local TV stations operate. I enjoyed every day of it regardless of it being remote,” Nick said. “I learned how the employees conduct themselves behind the scenes and in front of the camera, and even more about how the editors edit their work. The most impactful advice I received was from [news anchor] Robyn Zimmerman. She told us, ‘Be yourself in front of the camera, and if you mess up to have a smile on your face no matter what!’ I’m also grateful to Latia Nelson for offering us advice on being a producer for a TV station.”
Dr. Caroline Sawyer, assistant professor of Communication Studies at USCB, is thankful for the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s partnership with WHHI. As part of the Students Connected program at USCB, students have opportunities for unparalleled hands-on experiential learning through a community organization.
“Without question, WHHI is a true community partner for the production side of our Communication Studies major,” she said. “WHHI genuinely cares about growing and mentoring the next generation of local broadcasters.”
“I’m so thrilled for the experiences that Makayla Bing, Julia Flemming, and Nick Milhan were able to gain this past week with WHHI. These three students are at the top of our media production program and are going to use this experience to continue to grow their skills” said Sawyer. “Mini virtual internships like what WHHI offered are on the cutting edge and a necessity during the pandemic.
WHHI-TV is the area’s only local television station dedicated exclusively to what’s going on in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. It has been on the air since 1992 and serves Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties. WHHI-TV airs on Channel 3 & 1230 HD through Time Warner Cable, Channel 8 & 418 HD through Hargray Cable and Over The Air on Channel 30 HD. WHHI-TV’s mission is to connect with area residents through quality “hyper-local” broadcasts.
University of South Carolina Beaufort