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Overview

We provide training and documentation for government agencies and businesses to launch a Media Internship Program with local high schools and colleges. 

Contact us today for more information and to schedule a free consultation.

Highlights

  • High School and College focused
  • Media Production Training Classes
  • Operational documents and materials
  • Youth Engagement Programming
  • Leadership Development

Media Internship Programs Background

In 2013 Dan Summa began working for a Public Access Channel at a local government agency. His desire was to improve the video production standard and quality but had limited resources available. He formed a strategic partnership with the video teacher at a local charter high school. The teacher wanted to give his video students an opportunity to get some real-world experience outside of the classroom. This led to the creation of The News Media Internship Program.

In 2013 Dan started the program with five students who had some video background training. These five students received hands on training, mentoring and development of their technical (camera operator, sound technician, director, etc.) and soft skills (interpersonal communications, dealing with dignitaries and the public, city governance and deadlines). Projects created with the help of these high school students included live outdoor concerts, PSAs, marketing, and outreach videos. In 2019 he produced the city’s annual State of the City Address, broadcast live on Facebook, YouTube, Comcast and AT&T. Student interns provided camera and sound operation and support.

Over the years over 100 students have gone through the News Media Internship Program at the Public Access Channel. Since 2013 volunteers worked more than 5000 hours saving the agency at least $270,000. From that group of volunteers, Dan was able to hire over 12 students as part time staff. They oversaw key projects (public safety PSAs, City Council and Mayor update videos, community events and parades) and participated by providing feedback to refine the News Media Internship Program. 

In 2018 and 2019 some of these same students who started as high school volunteers, and are now in college, transitioned to paid staff and took on a leadership role at station. They became teachers for the Summer Internship Program (An eight-week video boot camp). Here they developed curriculum and became instructors. They taught other high school students and volunteers the basic principles of video production and station operations.