JR
Jessica Resendiz
  • broadcast journalism/ communications
  • Plainfield, IL

Jessica Resendiz gains industry insight through summer TV internship

2014 Sep 17

Jessica Resendiz of Plainfield was one of the many Lewis University Mass Communication students that spent their summer working in television by participating in multicultural summer radio/tv broadcasting internships at Univision Chicago, Chicago Tonight and Telemundo Chicago.

"I now have a better understanding of the different roles people have, and how hard they work to keep this station running with the number one news in Chicago, regardless of language," said Gomez, who interned for WGBO Univision Chicago Channel 66. He worked with the Creative Services Department, which is in charge of all video creations for the station and clients. Gomez assisted in the promotions for the studio audience, represented WGBO at various events throughout Chicago and helped edit commercials for clients.

Gustafson worked at the Chicago PBS affiliate WTTW 11, focusing primarily on the news and public affairs show, "Chicago Tonight." He also helped with the production of a restaurant review show, "Check, Please." Mostly responsible for producing for the show, Gustafson made seating charts, worked with producers to book guests, wrote stories that went to air, edited video, pre-interviewed guests, went with reporters on shoots in the field, made show rundowns, and contributed ideas for segments and stories at the daily staff meetings.

"The internship is helped me achieve my career goals because it gives me insight about the world of professional television," said Gustafson. "It helped me realize what news is, what makes certain things more important than others, what working on a deadline is like and how to produce an hour-long live show. There is so much that goes into television production and reporting that many people don't get a chance to see, but I was able to experience it first hand."

"The best part of my internship was being able to go out on a goose hunt with the reporters," said Resendiz, who interned at Telemundo Chicago. "I was able to assist in locating victims, finding clues that no other news station had, attend press conferences, and in some cases, I was able to be a part of helping individuals feel comfort and joy."

She continued, "The education that Lewis University has provided me was definitely my backbone for being able to provide good assistance to the reporters and producers. I am so grateful to be a student at Lewis University and to have great teachers that really take the time to provide their students with a good education."

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,700 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.