For broadcast journalism major Matthew Schwartz, preparing for a career takes more than just going to class and making the grade. In his field, internships and experience are the best way at landing a job after college.
Schwartz, 22, has spent much of his college career trying to earn as much experience as possible. He interned at both radio and TV stations and has worked at the University's campus radio station, WUMR the Jazz Lover, for the last three years
"Experience is important because places are less likely to hire you without it," Schwartz said. "Experience also helps you to become better at your craft."
After Schwartz graduates, he aspires to work as a news and sports anchor, reporter or sports broadcaster, but knew that he couldn't reach his goals unless he worked hard in - and out - of the classroom.
At WUMR, Schwartz works as a host, co-host and producer of the Sports Desk, a sports radio show that airs from 8:35 a.m. to 9 a.m. every morning. He has also worked as part of the WUMR broadcast team, producing play-by-play and color commentating for University of Memphis football and men's basketball games.
"WUMR is the place that I have to really give credit for my beginning," Schwartz said. "Without it, I probably wouldn't have had some of the opportunities that I've had or been able to meet some of the great people in the business that I have thus far."
During the summer before his senior year of college, Schwartz started an internship with WHBQ Sports 56 radio station. While he worked off the air, learning how to run the soundboard and program the computer along with answering phone calls from listeners, he did get to record himself at the station and get a feel behind the microphone.
"It was a good opportunity for me to learn how sports talk radio works, from both behind the microphone and the production aspects," he said.
Host, producer and production director at Sports 56 John Hardin believes internships are not only good for the interns but good for the stations, as well.
"You get talented young people into the station and, if they learn their craft, you might have someone to fill a position if it opens up after they graduate from college," he said.
In the fall semester of 2013, Schwartz started working as a sports intern at WREG News Channel 3. It was this internship that allowed him to gain experience covering high school football games, the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers football games.
At the games, he attended and asked questions at press conferences. On occasion, Schwartz interviewed players and coaches, including Oklahoma City Thunder's head coach Scott Brooks. He also was able to record his own video reel for his résumé.
"Interning at the TV station was my favorite, because I got to go to a lot of events, meet other TV personalities in the area and learn from them," Schwartz said. "I got to learn how a TV studio runs on a daily basis."
Schwartz is aware of the challenge he faces of landing a job in his field after graduating, but he is not afraid to take his experiences across the country to find a job.
"I'm not limiting myself to one place or another," Schwartz said. "I'm willing to move wherever the best opportunity is for myself. "
In Schwartz's opinion, if a student interested in broadcast journalism is only going to class, they are not doing enough. It's getting hands on experience that matters most, and he encourages all aspiring journalists to seek out internships.
"This career path is all about experience," Schwartz said. "The more experience you have the better off you'll be, when you apply for those jobs at radio and TV stations."
For Hardin, internships are a road to success. It's a way of making good first impressions on future employers.
"You learn many wonderful skills in school, but internships give you a chance to apply them," Hardin said. "You get to see where you are at in your field and what it is you need to work on."
