Interview with Kayleigh Sherman: How Park News Led to a Life-Changing Opportunity at the Olympics

The Roy H. Park School of Communications is one of the many schools that co-exist at  Ithaca College that works to train students in the fields of film, television, journalism and other media.

Alums of this school include industry legends ABC World News Tonight’s Anchor David Muir and Little Fires Everywhere producer Liz Tegelaar. Over the years, Ithaca College has maintained a strong bond with NBCUniversal, paving the way to many internships and job opportunities. On January 31st, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kayleigh Sherman, one of the nine students selected to help NBCUniversal throughout the airing of the Winter Olympics. Sherman, who is currently a Television, Photography and Digital Media major and minoring in Audio Production and Live Events— will be working behind the scenes on advertising and the airing of the famed games. 

Dearstyne: It’s so amazing that you’re headed to the Olympics! Can you tell us more about this program or what first got you interested in it? 

Sherman: So, I actually found this internship through one of the park news emails. It was back in August and I applied for it. Honestly, I didn’t think I would get it [in]… I’m a sophomore, right? So I don’t have that experience. This is my first internship, actually.

Dearstyne: Congratulations! 

Sherman: Yeah, I didn’t think I was going to get it, but I was like, let me try. And [then] I got the video interview. I got a face to face interview with my supervisor here and around late October I got the call. Shoutout to Park News, I wouldn’t have found this without them.

Dearstyne: In a similar vein, can you tell me a little more about yourself and how you got here? This can be pre Ithaca and what you’ve done so far in your time here so far building up to this.

Sherman: So, I knew I always wanted to do stuff with the big companies. I did a lot of theater in high school and I started doing tech. I originally was going to apply to Ithaca for technical theater. But then I started to hear more about their television program, and then going out to LA, to London, working on film sets… a lot of it just persuaded me to apply for television instead. That led me to everything I mentioned and that all snowballed into this opportunity. 

Dearstyne: Building off of this, what was it like finding out you were going to the Olympics? When and where did you find out and how did it feel? 

Sherman:Oh yes, I was actually at Yale that weekend. I was there for an event. [Then], I get the call and I step out of the room. None of my friends are with me, none of my family, I’m in a different city in Connecticut, right? And I’m jumping up and down in someone’s empty office as the hiring manager is telling me l got the job. 

Dearstyne: That’s hysterical. 

Sherman: Literally. I was like, I hope no one saw that. I hope no one walked by to see me jumping up and down. 

Dearstyne: We’re going to the Olympics! 

Sherman: Literally. I called my mom right after, I was texting my friends. 

Dearstyne: Are there any events in particular that you are excited to cover/see?  

Sherman: I like watching the skating events, honestly. I like the speed skating and biathlon. 

Dearstyne: Ithaca has had a long standing relationship with NBCUniversal for these Olympic internships and more. Are there any faculty members or program alums that have helped you through this process? 

Sherman: There’s nine students from Ithaca coming to this Olympics, which is really cool. My direct supervisor is an alum, so that’s pretty cool too. But honestly, just Park in general. The assistant dean was very flexible, my professors this semester too – Yvette Sterbank Bank, Luke Keller, Ann Marie Adams – they were all very understanding of me coming late. I haven’t been back to campus; I just came here after break. They’ve been very understanding with letting me do work asynchronously and making up stuff once I get back. My bosses have been pretty chill with it too. I also do campus band; my band director has been flexible too. 

Dearstyne: What would be your advice to girls who are just breaking into journalism, tv/and or film, sports media specifically, since it is a highly male dominated field? 

Sherman: I would say, don’t be afraid to just shoot your shot. What’s the worst, they’ll say? No? Go find something else then… I’ve never been one to pass up opportunities. If you just go in with the mindset of, it’d be really cool if I got it but I can always find something else  if I don’t…that way you get to make the most out of every opportunity that comes your way. 

Dearstyne: I love that! That’s such good advice. 

At the current time of writing, the team on the Winter Olympics are prepping for the opening ceremony on Friday, February 6th, Sherman’s advertising team included. All of the Park is ready to cheer Sherman and the rest of her peers on, and it is important to remember that the school of communications hosts plenty of opportunities like this for all students. With over 15,000 alumni of the Park School, there is no lack of connections. From sports media coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles to Walt Disney Imagineering, there is something for every student who feels motivated to apply.

• career opportunities
• internship
• Park School of Communication
• winter olympics