Bellisario College student paves her own way to local news internship

(Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of articles about students in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications completing summer internships.)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.— When Caroline Sliver didn’t see a digital news internship available at her local news station, she did what any journalism major would do. She asked.

Sliver saw the WTAJ table at JobExpo.comm, a communications-focused job fair held every February by the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. She was familiar with the news station because it serves the Johnstown-Altoona-State College market, which includes her hometown of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.

Sliver had not envisioned applying to internships in broadcast journalism, but after some discussion with the WTAJ representatives, it was a perfect match.

“I said, ‘I know you guys. I watch you talk about the weather,’” Sliver said. “I clicked with them immediately. They were all so kind and nice, and interested in how [the position] benefited me and what I could learn from it. It was a priority for them.”

She followed up with an email expressing her interest in digital news. She met with the news director and the digital news director, and soon had plans for the summer. She starts June 5. For the internship, Sliver will be writing and editing stories for the web. She will also help manage content on the WTAJ site and parts of its social media.

“I am looking forward to learning how to manage a news site, which gets updated so often,” she said. “I’m also excited to learn how the digital department works with the broadcast, especially with breaking news.”

She added, “There are so many local news stations across the United States. I think they are the backbone of news and journalism.”

A passion for editing

Sliver is a student in the Schreyer Honors College double majoring in two areas that she admits seem at odds — journalism and marketing. But that’s how she likes it. Both majors give her skills that sharpen the tools she says will help find a career she is passionate about.

“Caroline stands out for several reasons,” said Boaz Dvir, an associate professor of journalism in the Bellisario College. “It’s her eagerness to be challenged by her teachers, classmates and herself, as well as her dedication of excellence.”

Sliver enjoys being creative. She says her calling toward journalism was unearthed by her detail-oriented mentality and her interest in writing and editing.

“Writing has always been my favorite. It’s definitely a passion,” she said. “But starting in middle school, I have been a big fan of editing. I would beg people to let me edit their papers before they submitted them.”

She knows it’s a little strange, but there’s more to it than fixing typos and adjusting sentences.

“I like being able to help someone make their work the best it can be,” she said. “I enjoy making sure that the final product is as clear and honest as possible to what the writer is trying to say.”

Route 26 to Happy Valley

When looking at colleges, Sliver did not have to look far. The University Park campus is 33 miles north of Huntington. Sliver was familiar with Penn State mostly due to football and was enamored by the size of Beaver Stadium and the campus. In the Bellisario College, she found many of the tools and opportunities to boost her college experience and future career.

“There is a feeling of support and community at the Bellisario College,” she said. “I am so grateful for the tangible skills that I've been able to get from being in Bellisario classes, and the tangible experiences. So when people Google my name, they're going to see my Daily Collegian profile.”

Sliver is an art and entertainment blogger for the Daily Collegian, Penn State’s student-run newspaper. During the semester, she writes one to two articles per week about local and national entertainment. In addition to the writing experience at the Collegian, she said being around and working with equally passionate future journalists is incredibly beneficial and motivating.

“I'm so glad that the Bellisario College encourages students to get involved in those sorts of clubs,” Sliver said. “It gives us hands-on experiences that are directly applicable to internships and jobs.”

Sliver is a copyeditor for the University’s literary magazine, Kalliope. She is also the vice chair for the Schreyer Gender Equity Coalition, a student group that advocates for policies and shares information about equity at Penn State with the University community.

She says her extracurricular efforts stem from a love for her community and a calling to provide a welcoming, equitable experience for all Penn State students.

“It takes persistence and hard work to accomplish what Caroline wants to do: have a positive impact on the world around her,” Dvir said. “I expect her to be an agent of positive change today and tomorrow.”

Sliver has the detail-oriented mindset and eagerness to help others that will make an impact. Her experience, passion and skills will pave the way.

“Every word or every scene counts,” she said. “When everything is done thoroughly and thoughtfully, that makes it more enjoyable for everyone.”