MBA finds first year success in paid interns

The first year of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association’s Paid Internship Program is in the books and by all accounts it was largely successful for both our participating stations and interns. The MBA awarded seven internships to member stations from all across the Commonwealth. Interested stations applied in the late winter and, when selected, were ready to have their interns start during the summer.

The MBA’s Paid Internship Program is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in over-the-air broadcasting or communications. Over the course of 12 weeks, students learn how a broadcast radio or television station operates. From the Sales Department, Traffic and Business Offices to Programming and Promotions, students will understand what keeps a radio or broadcast television station on the air, all while being paid!

The MBA surveyed station’s intern supervisors and interns. One intern worked in the weather department of a Massachusetts television station. His supervisor wrote that he “performed all of his duties in an excellent manner. He showed great effort, talent and enthusiasm and often went beyond the call of duty…He is on his way to a very successful career.”

There are multiple reasons why the MBA created this program. One, it helps stations avoid any scrutiny that they may receive from unpaid interns. Secondly, it is a great way to instill a passion for broadcast media in a future generation.

An intern at an MBA member radio station wrote “This internship experience has been amazing because I have been able to see how a major radio station functions behind the scenes. I have learned so many new things in such a short amount of time, and I am excited for the future of my career in radio.”

If your station is interested in a receiving a paid intern in 2015 or you want more details about the program, head to our internship page on massbroadcasters.org.