By Kelly O’Brien ‘15
Stephanie Robbons ’15 is a local TV star. No, she doesn’t appear on screen. Rather, she works behind the scenes as an associate producer for WEEK and WHOI News. She’s been put in the spotlight recently, though, as her efforts have earned her the distinction of 2014 Outstanding Co-op/Intern of the Year for the Smith Career Center.
Over the past year, Robbons has worn multiple media-related hats for the two local stations. From writing, to filming, to editing, she helps in any way possible to polish newscasts into the final products that viewers see. The television arts student says that assisting in the creation of several broadcasts has greatly broadened her knowledge of the television field.
“Not only have I gained a great skillset to contribute to the industry, but I am also gaining the experience I need to move up in the industry,” she said. “I have now become a jack of all trades.”
Robbons isn’t just skilled in television production. She is also a wheeled vehicle mechanic in the military, and she hopes to pursue a career that merges her experiences in TV and the Army. In 2016, she plans on attending officer school to become a public affairs officer. In this position, she would oversee and work closely with reporters and photographers while contributing to the radio and television aspect of the Army.
“I think my experience in the military combined with the skills I have gained from Bradley and WEEK will help me stand out and exceed in the program,” she said. “Working in the industry as a civilian has helped me understand and grasp more of what is expected as well as what is important in the entire industry.”
When working with media professionals someday in the Army, she will be able to understand and appreciate the impact of TV and storytelling because of her internship with WEEK and WHOI News.
“I love knowing that I help inform the community and bind it together through powerful stories,” she said. “I have had many people come to me with stories they want to share, and it is a great feeling to know that I can help make their stories known and publish them on broadcast TV.”
From politicians to everyday people, she has created an immense list of contacts and become deeply connected to the community through working in news.
“As a member of a news team you are the gatekeeper of information,” she said. “Sometimes it is hard revealing secrets or being the bearer of bad news, but you just need to know at the end of the day that you did all you could and made a difference for the better of the community.”
She encourages television arts students to seek internships like hers that directly relate to their degrees. But she reminds them that such real-world experience requires real hard work.
“You cannot get by doing the minimum in such a demanding industry,” she said. “There will be times you make mistakes, and that's ok, but having the resilience to bounce back and use that mistake to better yourself will set you apart. Prepare yourself for long, busy hours, and get a good coffee mug.”
