Name: Chelsea Land
Job Title: Graduate Student, Teaching/ Research Assistant at University of North Texas Mayborn School of Journalism
Twitter handle: @chelseadland
Instagram: @chelseadland
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-land-0132113b/
Chelsea Land is a go-getter that’s chasing big dreams. With goals of working in media, entertainment and even in the big apple she is definitely a goal-oriented student to look up to. I had great time during our interview, and am eager to introduce Chelsea to Her Campus collegiates!
What internships have you had?
CL: I was a Multimedia Intern at Inside Columbia Magazine, Multimedia Intern at USA Today and currently a Media Intern at Seacrest Studios at Children’s Medical Center Dallas.
Which internship was your favorite and why?
CL: USA Today was definitely my favorite, but it was also the most challenging. This last summer, I learned so much about producing content, being in a newsroom and life in general. I did videos for news stories and in-office editing. I also went out on assignments to help seasoned reporters. I got to see with an interview with Nancy Pelosi (who was so nice BTW). I also had the chance to work on my own project, and it was published in the Policing the USA segment of USA Today. What inspired you to pursue your masters and major in journalism? CL: I received my Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia in Interdisciplinary Communication. I decided to get my Masters degree because I wanted more experience. I looked into UNT and saw they had a great journalism program so I decided to apply not really expecting to get in. Now here I am!
What is your ultimate goal?
CL: I graduate with my masters from UNT in May. I’m currently looking for jobs in New York. I’m interested in working as a video producer in entertainment news. In the end, if none of it works out I may just go soul searching for a while.
What knowledge can you share from your internships?
CL: My advice is to really focus on the work you’re most proud of. Show your strengths and push them. Don’t be afraid. I hate seeing others who are scared to shoot for their dreams. If you want something, go for it!
Do you have any intern mistakes that Her Campus readers can learn from?
CL: Unfortunately, I have a quite a few. Tweets last forever! Never tweet something bad about someone (especially someone in the workplace). Basically, leave your personal life off of social media. As far as technical issues, always give yourself time. For example, I was supposed to take pictures for an assignment then it went badly. So, always be prepared with camera equipment, etc.
Any writing tips you would like to share?
CL: During my internship at USA Today, a reporter told me to know everything when it comes to your story. You have to be prepared for when the Editor asks questions. Research everything. It’s so true because you don’t want to be embarrassed for not having an answer in the newsroom.
So, what’s next for Chelsea?
CL: I really want to start an entertainment magazine about upcoming artists. Or make a documentary and do filmmaking. Maybe I’ll end up at Sundance Film Festival and meet Ava DuVernay and we will be best friends. Who knows! One day I hope that I will get published more.
It was a pleasure chatting with Chelsea, and I’m sure she will achieve great things after graduating in May! I hope you learned a thing or two from the queen of media internships. Chelsea would like to encourage fellow UNT students to connect with her on LinkedIn and social media. So don’t wait collegiates!