From Clueless to Courtside: My Whirlwind Dive into the Paralympics
By Caitlyn Schiffer, Journalism senior
In August 2024, 15 University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications students traveled to Paris to cover the 2024 Paralympic Games. Eight were selected as paid interns for NBC Sports. The group was part of a semester-long study-aboard program that also includes programs in Spain and Ireland.
In August 2024, eight University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to spend three weeks in Paris as NBC Sports interns. Four of us were assigned to the social media marketing team.
As a journalism major and die-hard WUFT newsie with no experience in sports or even with ESPN Gainesville, the local sports radio station housed at UFCJC, it may be shocking to hear that I interned for NBC Sports’ coverage of the Paralympics. It is surprising even to me, but this life-changing experience catapulted me and three other students into the world of social media and sports.
Not only were we embarking on a three-month journey of living across three European countries, but we were simultaneously changing the trajectory of our careers from the first stop.
What I did throughout my internship
During my internship, I worked with the NBC News team alongside reporter Emily Ikeda, an NBC news correspondent for the Today Show and Nightly News. Working with the team 8-12 hours a day for two weeks enriched my experience and taught me so many valuable lessons.
As an aspiring reporter and producer, I had the chance to watch Ikeda, our producer Alex Holmes and the production crew work together to meet tight deadlines, face challenges and strategically troubleshoot any issue in minutes. Watching both of them grew my affinity for reporting and producing, strengthening my connection to these positions.
I filmed entertaining content and gave a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at the Paralympics. Many of my videos were posted on the NBC Olympics Instagram page and used by the Today Show, gaining over a hundred thousand views. This was my first step into social media, and it went even better than expected.
In addition to helping me learn how to be a social media marketer, this internship also taught me the complexities and work ethic needed to succeed. And experiencing all of that in the French capital, during one of the most prestigious international sporting events, has made me feel so much more cultured and knowledgeable than before. In less than a month, I have gained new friends, seen historical monuments, and immersed myself in the world of sports, an industry I had not yet had the opportunity to be a part of.
Moment that stuck with me the most
An unforgettable moment came when the crew was preparing to film a live shot for the Today Show, and it suddenly started to pour. This was a massive issue for the camera equipment, especially since we had only five minutes until our reporter Ikeda went live.
The crew did not panic, though. They carefully thought through the problem. Together, we figured out a way to protect the equipment and ensure Ikeda completed her live shot.
“Always to be prepared for disaster. If prepared, you will succeed.” The advice and guidance I encountered throughout my internship has shifted my perspective and will allow me to be more successful in the future. But Ikeda’s successful live shot is what impressed me the most. It embodies the idea that you can always make magic amid madness by working together as a team.
In another instance, I was unexpectedly thrown in as the reporter in the mixed zone, a designated space for journalists to interview athletes near the field of play, at a para swimming event. This was my chance to create magic from madness.
Among the lineup of talented journalists from organizations all around the world stood me, a college student, awaiting the arrival of U.S. Paralympic swimmers Jessica Long and Morgan Stickney, who had just won gold and silver in their events, respectively. Was I nervous? Maybe. But I used that nervousness as motivation to help me navigate the moments of chaos.
Other student experiences
Three other students embarked on this exciting journey alongside me: Matthew Rothman, Hailey Hurst and Victoria Bible. Although we all worked with different teams and had differing experiences, we all learned valuable and life-changing lessons in this short period. I asked each how their internship shaped their perceptions of the media and social media landscape. Here is what they answered:
Matthew Rothman: “This experience helped me gain a greater understanding of the creative aspect of social media. The Paralympic opportunity allowed me to understand many creative aspects of producing content, and I’ve enjoyed working in the social media realm because of that.”
Hailey Hurst: “It made me realize how quick social media is and how things can blow up, but you have to move on regardless of the views it received. It is such a creative outlet and there are so many things you can do with it.”
Victoria Bible: “I’m really interested in working in broadcasting now. Originally, I just wanted to work in business on the corporate side, but I would love to be more hands-on.”
As I near the end of my college career, I applied to this study-abroad program to improve my skills and understanding of media. I have already gained practical experience showing that we must constantly evolve in the social media landscape, as nothing is everlasting. That includes views, trends and creativity. We always have to be on to the next idea.
The internship has strengthened my professional aspirations. It has allowed me to grow as a human and professional, ever-increasing my interest in reporting and producing in the process. Going in, I was unaware of what to expect. Looking back, I have changed for the better thanks to it.
Posted: October 2, 2024
Category: College News, Profiles, Student News
Tagged as: Caitlyn Schiffer, NBC, Paralympics
