All photos courtesy of Esclavon Prewitt
By Jayden Presley
As the old saying goes, comfort is the enemy of progress.
University of Montevallo senior Esclavon Prewitt said his internship with ABC 33/40 helped him improve in certain areas to become a better reporter.
Public speaking and meeting new faces are not a problem for Prewitt. But, when the opportunity came to do a news stand-up, he had never before felt that type of fear or shyness.
“I think that’s the thing that I felt like I had to attack more, especially as I continue my career,” Prewitt said. “I need to attack what I fear the most, so I can get better at it.”
He interned at ABC 33/40 from the end of August to December 2022. A mass communication major, Prewitt said the experience opened his eyes and perspective on the difficulty and dedication it takes to be a reporter.
When starting the internship, he worked with an editor to learn the basics of being a multimedia journalist. Then, Prewitt was assigned with several reporters to learn how to put together news packages and cover stories.
His experience broadened to learning how to do reporter stand-ups, live events, and interviews for on-air stories.
“Stand-ups are like a beast of its own,” he said. “You have to go out there and tell what’s happening on the spot and you feel like you don’t want to mess up.”
At the same time, Prewitt worked on the UM campus newscast Vallo Vision News.
Vallo Vision News
The MC-327 television and digital reporting class require students to combine their videography, writing and editing skills to create news stories for VVN’s newscast and digital platforms. Prewitt said it was a smoother adjustment to the live reporter experience while also taking the class.
“It was easy to bring the stuff I learned from my internship,” said Prewitt. “It made me feel like I was miles ahead. I still kinda got that whiplash, because I’d never been out on the real scene.”
Prewitt said his favorite moment during the internship was seeing himself on TV. In Alabaster, he covered the candlelight ceremony for domestic violence victims and ABC 33/40 ran his story on the news.
“I need to attack what I fear the most, so I can get better at it.”
Esclavon Prewitt
Working as a reporter can be emotionally difficult. On the last day of his internship, Prewitt worked until 1 am to cover a story where three people were shot.
“It was terrible, because you could see all the emotion around it and you can see what you’ll have to deal with in the real world as a reporter,” he said.
Prewitt is a full-time student and track and field athlete. He said staying on top of your work is the best way to manage an internship during the semester.
He recommends interning at ABC 33/40 for anyone who wants to be in the journalism field.
“Not only do you gain experience, but they take you through the steps you need to make you feel comfortable,” Prewitt said.
Click here to learn more information and requirements for mass communication internships.
Vallo Vision News 