Intern Blog

Being in the Public Relations office has provided me with the opportunity to apply what I have learned in the classroom, a chance to be in an encouraging environment, and to be introduced to a culturally diverse organization. During my time at Voice of America, I have generated content for the website, assisted in managing social media accounts, helped with events and even met popstar Akon along the way! One of the most exciting parts of working at VOA is that there is something always going on and influential people coming from all around the globe to visit. It amazes me how much of an impact VOA has and the number of people that tune in worldwide each week. Working here has been a wonderful experience that has furthered my interest in the communications field. I have truly enjoyed being around people in the office that have been a part of VOA for years and shared their career experiences with me. I would definitely an internship at Voice of America not only because of positive experiences that I have had, but also because of all of the opportunities to learn and gain new skills that are transferrable in any career path you may choose.

There are few places in the world where one can work in a building where so many nationalities and languages are in one place, and I happen to be at one of those few places--Voice of America, where at least 46 languages are spoken, and definitely more nationalities present. The diverse, lively community can be felt the moment you step in the Cohen building, as different tongues and various dresses fill the main hallway.

Being in the Public Relations office means having the opportunity to assist with events in the building, guide tours, maintain social media platforms, and write for the website Inside VOA. Because of how extraordinary an organization VOA is, my standard duties have led to special memories. Examples include seeing the President of Haiti and the President of Costa Rica while photographing events --I even got to shake hands with President Solis of Costa Rica. I also had the opportunity to see the Australian duo The Falls preform live in one of recording studios, and later on have a little live radio time on the same music program. With the kind invitation of Larry London, the host of Border Crossings, I talked about my D.C. experience on-air and announced a request. It’s definitely something I’ll remember; I was live on international radio!

My main project for the summer was to write language service profiles for the website Inside VOA, which introduces our various services’ histories, notable stories, and current programs. With this project, I got to interview service chiefs, from whom I learned about the target countries and regions in more depth. Hearing them describe the media scene and socio-economic conditions of their respective target areas, and how much of an impact their language service has there, reminded me to not take media freedom or a stable, democratic society for granted.

I was able to use I learned from those in-depth interviews into guiding the twice-daily VOA Studio Tours. I remember the first time I went on the Studio Tour as a guest on my first day at VOA, I was fascinated by the live radio and TV broadcasting I got to see and the opportunity to learn more of the agency’s mission. After becoming a guide myself, I was able to use what I had learned to give visitors more details on areas or topics that they were curious about. It’s always very satisfying to hear visitors say, “Thank you, that was a great tour” with a smile. Even though in the beginning I was nervous about what questions visitors might ask, it became clear soon that it’s a good thing that they ask questions. By asking questions, you know they are genuinely interested in the topic, and want to learn more.

The PR office has been a lovely place to work in; it’s a small office, but it’s a tight-knit office where everyone is warm, helpful, and patient. My colleagues Bruna, Ashley, Sahar, and George, and my supervisor Kevin, are always there to answer any questions that I have, and give advice about how to do the job better, be it perfecting a tweet, or writing an effective article. Not only are they experts in VOA and PR topics, my colleagues have also been very helpful with tips about travel and things to do in D.C. With the free museums in D.C., and the wonderful people I got to work with, my summer in D.C. was absolutely lovely.

I spent this past winter in the United States as part of a Russian-American fellowship program operated by the Social Expertise Exchange (SEE), organized by Fund Eurasia. The subject of my fellowship was the way the United States naturalized and integrated immigrants and how media covered on migration, a method that I believe could be successfully applied in Russia.

I am a historian, whose research and professional interests revolve around migration. I am particularly interested in imaging and construction of stereotypes about migrants in contemporary media and popular culture. I did my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the historical faculty of Irkutsk State University (ISU), Russia.

During my two months in the United States, I had the opportunity to work with some of the best journalists in the country. The first part of my fellowship was spent in VOA’s English Division, where I learned about investigative journalism and to “dig, dig, dig as deep as possible.” My mentor, Jeffrey Young, was a veteran journalist who became not only a teacher but also a good friend. Working together, we prepared stories about corruption in a wide range of places: Ukraine, the Olympics in Sochi, and the U.S. Navy. Jeffrey assisted my migration studies by finding research respondents and helping me overcome bureaucratic barriers to gain access to the experts I needed to interview. His training gave me new perspectives on interviewing, article preparation, and gathering information.

All the other members of the English Division staff were like Jeffrey, open and kind, and so was my curator, Inna Dubinsky. Every one of them was helpful and ready to share all the knowledge and experience they had. In February, I was accredited as a VOA journalist to cover the 12th Coordination Meeting on International Migration of the UN, which took place in New York.

In March, I had the opportunity to travel to Miami, where I met employees of Radio Marti, who told me the story of their broadcasting service. My host during my time at Radio Marti, Oscar Rodriguez, was warm and friendly and patiently answered all my questions.

After my time at Marti, I came back to Washington and worked in VOA’s Russian Service. With guidance from my Russian Service editor Arkady Cherepansky, I decided to undertake a journalism project focusing on migrants in Sochi, which enabled me to use the investigative techniques I had learned while working with Jeffrey and to do more research on immigration. I worked on the project independently over few weeks and developed worthwhile contacts that I hope to continue to use at home.

In the two months I spent with VOA, I was inspired with many ideas for professional and educational projects. And I hope that I will have another opportunity in the future to come back to the United States and work on other projects that I was unable to carry out during my two months. I leave my friends and colleagues at VOA with this message: I’ll be back!

Having been raised in Brooklyn, New York, a place of diversity, I’ve been exposed to different cultures, cuisines, people and genres of music, including hip-hop, gospel, the blues, classical and most importantly jazz. I learned to play the violin at the Noel Pointer String Foundation in second grade and continued to play until my freshman year of high school. Noel Pointer’s music is phenomenal and his love for jazz and the instrument has been inspiring, which has sparked my interest for this genre. It was incredible this week when I got the opportunity to take a trip to the Jazz Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. with the Voice of America’s film, production and camera crew. They were very welcoming and instantly made me feel like I was part of the team. I learned a lot from them such as how the equipment works, the importance of communication and planning ahead, wisdom about the industry and most importantly, that teamwork makes the dream work! It was great to see everyone come together to complete the mission and I could tell that they were all passionate about their jobs. They showed me the importance of professionalism and that being passionate about your career is the only way that you will enjoy what you do.

The saxophonist, James Brandon Lewis had his own way of showcasing his passion. It was amazing to see a live performance by him and his band. His approach to jazz was sophisticated, refreshing and soulful. It was inspiring to see a young player keep the soul of the ages alive but with a modern twist, hence why Ebony Magazine named him one of the 7 Young Players to Watch in September 2013. I know that he will continue to thrive in the course of his career and pass along good vibes, joy, peace and soul to all those that listen to his music. The energy in the room was vigorous which made the experience even better. At times I would just close my eyes and get lost in the music by taking in the melodies of the instruments and the chatter amongst the people. As human beings we tend to get so caught up in life and in the routine of living, that we aren’t present in the moment. This was the perfect time for me to just relax and be present.

I was also able to connect, network and meet so many people within the company of Voice of America, performers and those who work for the Jazz Blues Alley. I’m looking forward to taking another trip with the camera crew again because this experience was one I’ll never forget.

If you had asked me about my expectations of my internship here at the Voice of America Public Relations office, I wouldn’t have had any. Okay, perhaps I had a small unrealistic fear that my boss would be like the one in the Devil Wears Prada. But besides that, I showed up to my first day of work like a blank page, open to any new experience, ready for the challenge, and determined to do well.

Much to my relief, my boss (nor my other colleagues) is nothing like Miranda Priestly. I really have never been in a friendlier work environment. Everyone here has been incredibly nice.

My very first big assignment as a public relations intern was to collect information on social media sites each of the language services maintain. I had to contact each service chief to find out how many different platforms they used, and if any of their TV or radio programs had its own separate social media presence.

Running a language service is a hard job, involving a lot of supervision and inter-department coordination. Despite being busy, nevertheless, the VOA language service chiefs all extended a warm welcome into their offices, and made time for me specifically to answer my questions. They either provided me the information themselves or directed me to their web specialists. On many occasions, they went beyond my questions and explained to me what they had done in the past, what programs they were currently doing, and how their services worked. Their enthusiasm for their work moved me. I appreciated the comprehensive information they provided me. I liked the way they treated me—as if I was just another staff in the building. and not “just” an intern.

Looking back, I’m genuinely grateful for my time as a VOA intern. It was three months of unforgettable experiences -- yes, including the disruption of the government shutdown, a unique experience in itself. I met many wonderful people here -- colleagues, celebrities who came in for interviews, and even an alumnus of my school (Cornell).

My work at the VOA Public Relations office—taking outside phone calls, responding to email requests, helping out with the studio tour when there were foreign groups involved, negotiating between departments, and so forth—has significantly enhanced my communication skills. In addition, the international environment made me feel at home here at Voice of America. My internship experience constitutes an integral part of my semester in DC. I will cherish my days spent here, and if I’m given the chance, I would be more than happy to come back.

Birthday celebrations, cupcake deliveries, and a table of delicious goodies are all common occurrences in the public relations office. The office I work in is the destination of many VOA employees due to our generous hospitality and, of course, our treats.

Although the treats are absolutely delicious, there is a hard-working atmosphere in the office. Being a part of the public relations team means dealing with all of the language services, any issues that arise when dealing with the media, and updating the Inside VOA website and social media pages.

The main project that I worked on while in the public relations office was not as mainstream as one would expect of a public relations intern. While I did perform the tasks of posting on Facebook and Twitter, my main project has been revamping the Inside VOA History webpage. At first the assignment was a bit daunting. Researching the entire history of VOA in just a few months?!? The task seemed almost impossible. However, with the help of many books, pamphlets, and VOA historian Alan Heil, I was able to complete an initial draft of the history of VOA in a timeline form.

Now comes the task of editing, a job not for an individual. An army of editors, mainly the PR office, will take the project and polish it into a VOA timeline, one for the records. Once edited, the history of VOA project will be formatted into a high-tech software that will change the Inside VOA history webpage forever (you should really check out the current history page and you will know what I mean).

All hard work comes with a little play. While on the job I have met countless bands and musicians through Larry London on Border Crossings. I have also had the opportunity to practice my Arabic with visiting Afghan Diplomats. Even celebrities have made special appearances in the public relations office! For all you homeland fans out there, I had the privilege of meeting Navid Negahban (Abu Nazir), who is a very charismatic man. Interning at VOA is not complete without a special visit to the rooftop. I was fortunate enough to witness the inaugural broadcast from the new rooftop studio. There is nothing like the view of DC from the top of the VOA building. It is safe to say that my time at VOA has been one for the books.

“We could have an AIDS-free generation,” promised former President Clinton at the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington DC. His words echoed the tone at the conference, but Clinton went further than inspiring hope – he focused on funding and investment, namely, how to get it. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the conference on its last day, to hear Clinton and others talk about the prospect of reaching an AIDS-free generation in my lifetime. My internship in the Russian Service at Voice of America is incredibly holistic: one day I’m assembling b-roll for the show Podelis, the next day I’m transcribing an interview, translating commentary, or updating our social networks. The most exciting part about working in news is being able to attend events like the AIDS Conference, and having that inform the other work that you’re doing. Clinton reprimanded governments for failing to fund treatment and prevention efforts, but reminded us that private investors could have a much larger role in eliminating AIDS. It was refreshing to see a politician speak so frankly and at such length about the money behind public health; his experience in fundraising via the Clinton Foundation showed. It was thrilling to be on the front lines of this story, to fight for a spot in front of the stage among dozens of flashing cameras, and that excitement is why I love working in news. “You have nowhere near tapped the pool of people who want to invest,” Clinton said, encouraging researchers that if they keep producing results, “the money will be there.” The role of private investors must increase because AIDS is a public health problem, not a criminal justice problem. Not only that, but AIDS is also a social justice problem, and Clinton recognized that, going so far as to compare the rural South to Africa in terms of access because of the social stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Not only was it exciting to sit in the media section with a camera and a press pass, listening to President Clinton inspire an audience, but I am able to apply what I learned at the conference to inform my experience reporting about the HIV/AIDS crisis. Voice of America has provided me with the opportunity to put the world into a bigger and more learned perspective than I’ve ever had, and it’s a perspective that I plan to use for the rest of my life."

• Anna Kark, Russian Service Intern (Summer 2012)

Anna Kark is a rising junior at American University, studying International Relations. Her interest in telecommunications began with ATV, where she continues to host “Capitol Politics.” This summer at Golos Ameriki has been infinitely more rewarding than she could have imagined.

"I decided to intern at Voice of America to branch out into the unfamiliar territory of public relations and explore my academic passions from a different perspective. I was especially intrigued by VOA's bold presence in China. With undergraduate degrees in Mandarin Chinese and Economics, I wanted to complement my previous academic interests with an invaluable experience at the U.S. government’s premier international broadcasting agency, which serves as a tool of public diplomacy. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting journalism experience, working closely with reporters Michael Lipin and Marissa Melton on China and Tibet related articles, sitting in on the daily East Asia and Pacific meetings under division chief Bill Baum, and helping out with projects for the Chinese branch. Every day, I come into the office to work with wonderful colleagues, learn new marketable skills, conduct studio tours, and manage the VOA’s social media accounts. I particularly enjoyed conducting interviews for a story on the South China Sea, writing press highlights about radio host Larry London’s musical guests, streamlining my professional research techniques, and familiarizing myself with cameras and professional editing software. Furthermore, I am fortunate that I am able to work with individuals who encourage me to nurture my professional and academic interests, meet broadcasting icons like VOA Director David Ensor, Chinese social media/English language star Jessica Beinecke, and foreign leaders, such as the Prime Minister of the Tibetan exile government, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, and the President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama."

• Graham White, Public Relations Intern (Summer 2012)

Graham White is a rising second year graduate student at the University of Southern California studying Public Diplomacy. He chose to intern at the Voice of America because it encapsulates the subtleties of global communications and international relations while VOA’s presence in China fuels his interest in Chinese media and politics.

My internship at Voice of America has been indispensable. During the course of my time here, I have worked on a diverse range of public relations projects such as conducting tours, interpreting data from analytics software, editing images with Adobe Photoshop, managing social media accounts, and engaging in meta-journalism. When you work in VOA Public Relations, no two days are alike. Even seemingly mundane tasks such as opening e-mails or answering phones sometimes yield new insights into terrorist attacks or foreign signal jamming. Furthermore, being in public relations is a great way to branch out into other divisions of the BBG. In addition to my PR responsibilities, I’ve had the opportunity to learn some of the intricacies of the newsroom, and now write a weekly technology column for Digital Frontiers, VOA’s highest trafficked web blog. My columns have covered a wide array of subjects ranging from Chinese social networks to online privacy rights. VOA is the perfect working environment for any students or young professionals with an interest in public diplomacy or aspirations in journalism. I admire VOA’s commitment to access to information and am humbled to have played a small part in helping this organization bring accurate, objective, and comprehensive news to those who need it most.

Ross Slutsky, a Summer 2012 Public Relations Intern, is a rising senior at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

As an intern at Voice of America, I not only have the opportunity to work inside of this agency and learn how it functions, but I am also able to experience the exhilarating arena that is Washington DC politics. Because VOA reports news daily, it is inevitable that an intern here will be immersed in current events. I stay up-to-date on domestic events along with international events and how they are intertwined simply by being here and absorbing all that I can.
On a Thursday morning June 28^th, I was able to walk to the Supreme Court for what many have called the biggest Court case in decades—the Affordable Care Act. “Obamacare”, as conservatives deemed it upon its approval in Congress and liberals have recently embraced, has caused a rift between republicans and democrats. This was evident in the divide between those in front of the court that day. On one side were the ones cheering “We love Obamacare!” and holding signs promoting women’s health and reform, and on the other side people were chanting “The Constitution matters!” and flashing prolife and tea party signs.
Because I did not have a banner or sign, I was able to stand on the front steps of the court. I observed thousands of protesters, reporters standing at the front lines, and speakers such as Michele Bachmann.
I am from a suburb of Atlanta and am new to the DC area, so the experience was thrilling for me. I was interviewed by a Chinese reporter, I watched as Hispanic news channels reported in Spanish, I stood behind US senators answering questions, and I was fully submerged into the confusion many were facing as we waited for the ruling. Everyone scrambled to check CNN, read their email, and listen closely for updates on the verdict. The people around me and I were even some of the first to notice CNN’s misreporting. We were on the frontlines! We were the first to know!
To watch all of the excitement and debate on the news is one thing, but to be there and have the opportunity to see it in real time is another. Politics have always sparked my interest and being on the court steps as the Supreme Court announced its 5-4 decision in favor of the mandate only confirmed my feelings. Here in DC there is always something sensational and new waiting to happen around every corner, and I hope to be here in the future to catch all of the excitement.

• Alice Barsky, Special Events Intern: Summer 2012

"Every day is a new page for me at VOA. From writing press releases and meeting the Cranberries and the Kosovo President, to interviewing our diverse staff, helping redesign the Public Relations website and leading studio tours, I’ve learned so much on a professional and personal level. Interning here has challenged me to do things outside my comfort zone and has given me an insight into the nuts and bolts of the broadcasting agency. This is where I truly get to contribute and make things happen. My favorite part of the experience is the people. My supervisor and coworkers went out of their way to train me and cared to listen to what I have to say. The diversity in the building is also amazing! Being in PR allowed me to interact with many people from different backgrounds every day and it is through these people that I got the opportunity to try broadcasting for the first time. At the Thai Service, I wrote feature stories about global issues and announced them on their radio program. I also got a chance to work with the VOA60 Elections team on a pilot video for the Thai Service. It was such a rewarding experience to tell people at home about what’s going on around the world from a different perspective."

• Tarinee Youkhaw, Public Relations Intern (Summer 2012)

Tarinee Youkhaw is an international student from Bangkok, Thailand. She is a rising senior at Mount Holyoke College studying International Relations with a minor in French. She decided to apply for an internship at VOA because of her interest in journalism and international affairs.

“I decided to come to VOA because the Latin America Division challenged me to be more than an intern. They told me that it would be demanding and tough but it would also allow me to learn things that I wouldn’t elsewhere. VOA has given me an edge in where to look for information, how to write a story, and not to be afraid of change. It also made me realize that journalism is what I would like to be doing in the future because it is fast- paced and exciting. My co-workers have been very insightful by helping me with appealing teasers and reliable sources. I come to work excited every day. I am able to write impactful stories that will matter to the people of Latin America. I have learned the ins and outs of the journalism business and have even gotten some website experience, too. I have had the chance to visit events around D.C for my stories such as the D.C auto show, different embassies, and the Supreme Court. My favorite part of being here at VOA is the flexibility that I get as a writer. That gives me confidence to explore my interests. I have done a lot of work on immigration because it is an important issue to Mexican citizens. However, one of my favorite assignments was writing about the TV show The Simpsons. I wrote a piece on how the show was inspired by Springfield, Oregon. Another favorite assignment was when I met President Calderón and reported on him. I really enjoy working here at VOA because it has helped me grow as a journalist and a person.”

• Patricia Soto, Latin America Division Intern (Spring 2012)

Patricia interns in the Latin America Division and is a junior majoring in journalism and international affairs at the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey. She comes all the way from Mexico and chose to intern at VOA because of VOA’s reputation. VOA allows her to explore her interests of journalism and international relations.

“I enjoy interning for VOA and the Public Relations office because of the amazing people that I work with. My fellow employees are fantastic and they are always eager to assist, mentor and guide me. At VOA, I meet an array of people from all over the world who are friendly, professional, and personable. I enjoy all aspects of my internship, but some of my favorite assignments include social media, blogging, and attending events and meetings. My interest in social media allows me to instill my ideas and thoughts through the Public Relations Twitter page, VOAbuzz, and the VOA Public Relations blog, “What’s Up Inside VOA.” Attending events, interviews, and meetings provides me with opportunities to interact and learn from experienced professionals. Staying current with what VOA – and the Public Relations office – is working allows me to make well-informed and confident decisions on my assignments. I am gaining experience that most college students never get and it excites me that my coworkers want to hear my ideas and thoughts. Looking ahead, I would like to a have career in Social Media and Public Relations so this internship is giving me invaluable hands-on experience. My ultimate goal is to gain as much information and feedback as possible in order to successfully progress and transition into today’s job market. I am grateful for my time here at VOA and this experience is what I am going to remember most about my college education.”

• Brian Thomsen, Public Relations Intern (Spring 2012)

Brian interns in the Public Relations office and is a senior communications major at the Richard Stockton College of NJ. He chose to intern at VOA because of VOA’s strong international presence and his interest in the Public Relations field. Brian will graduate in May 2012, but before then, he plans to gain as much and as varied experience as possible before facing the job market.

“The most attractive part of VOA is its professional atmosphere. During my internship, I have built confidence by successfully completing TV production assignments in the Africa Division. I post clips of “In Focus” and “Straight Talk Africa” on YouTube on a weekly basis; I operate the teleprompter and answer phone calls from listeners to speak live to the host and guests during the show. Sometimes I go out and shoot events and interviews with the camera crews. I really love and enjoy what I am doing in the VOA Africa Division. I feel lucky and immensely grateful that I get a chance to work with specialists in the news field. This internship offers me a fantastic opportunity to network with different news agencies and people. If I were to describe this internship in a short sentence, it would be working hard and breathing easy.”

• Brandon George, Africa Division Intern (Fall 2011)

Brandon graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in broadcasting journalism as an undergraduate. Now he is pursuing a Master’s of Arts degree in Organizational Communications at Bowie State University. He hopes to find a job in the field of Communications.