With Co-ops at E! and Fox news, fourth year journalism major, Shelby Hill is this week’s campus celebrity. It isn’t just the fact she’s interviewed celebrities and been to award shows, her involvement on campus with SportsZone and her sorority truly captures what a RIT campus celebrity is all about!
RIT Questions
What is your major? And year?
I am a fourth year Journalism major.
Why did you choose RIT?
I originally came to RIT with the full intent to transfer after a year. However, within the first few months I joined Zeta Tau Alpha and became the Director of Talent at RIT SportsZone and have never wanted to transfer since.
What has been your favorite class so far?
My favorite class has been Wines of the World. I know it is not in my major but who knew the process of making wine was so complex!
Favorite part of RIT?
My favorite part of RIT would have to be my job and my sisters. I have met some of my very best friends through my sorority and have also been able to have amazing internships thanks to all my “real world” work experience at RIT SportsZone.
Favorite professor?
I am not going to lie, the Journalism department has some pretty great professors so there is no way I can choose just one.
Favorite place to eat?
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Piece of advice on how to survive RIT?
Get involved! RIT has so many clubs and extracurricular activities to offer, which is a great way to make friends and do something you love.
Piece of advice for girls on how to survive RIT?
Join a sorority! There are way too many guys here and getting involved in greek life is a great way to find amazing girl friends.
Co-Op Questions
Where have your Co-Ops been? (You can go into a lot of detail here, if you’d like about them!)
In the Journalism program we are required to do two co-ops. Seeing that I am from Rochester and go to school in Rochester, I wanted to go somewhere I might never actually live and apply to co-ops that I always dreamed of having. My first co-op was with Fox News, Los Angeles bureau. I was very nervous because I am not really interested in politics but I was so excited to work for a national news company. My fears of being surrounded by politics quickly went away when on the first day my boss asked me if I would like to go to the Golden Globes that weekend. I worked for Fox for 5 months and over that time went to the Oscars, movie premiers, personally interviewed Jeff Bridges and Guy Fieri and worked American Idol every week. After all this great experience, I landed an internship with E! True Hollywood Story and E! Investigates in California. It has always been my dream to work for E! And both of my co-op experiences were absolutely incredible.
What has been your favorite Co-Op?
Both of my Co-ops were amazing and I feel so blessed to have had those opportunities.
What has been the coolest task/job you were given on a Co-Op?
When I was sent out by myself to interview Guy Fieri and Jeff Bridges. Another cool thing would be that I went to American Idol every week and interviewed the contestants, judges and guests. You could say me and Jennifer Lopez are BFF. Kidding.. but seriously.
What was the weirdest thing you’ve had to do while on a Co-Op? (i.e. Get your boss’s crop share crops from the market<-I've seen it happen!)
While I was at Fox News, we reported on a new trend in cosmetic surgery. People were actually getting their ears surgically enhanced to look pointy and basically look like elf ears. So, it was my task to go get our Los Angeles anchor, Trace Gallagher elf ears to wear during the report. They were a hit.
How did you find about the Co-Ops you applied to?
I just googled every news organization I could think of and applied online.
What is some advice you would give to people when applying to Co-Ops?
Follow up! The only reason I finally got my dream co-op with E! was because I followed up with the internship coordinator and made him see how interested I was.
Where would your dream Co-Op be?
I had it with E! True Hollywood Story and E! Investigates. It was my dream to work for E! and I cried when I got the phone call.
Fun Questions!
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
To be honest, I have no idea. Hopefully I will have a great job!!
What’s your dream job?
Working for E! in New York City.