Student Profiles

Internship Opens Doors to the Future

“From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew UMass Amherst was the school for me,” says Julie Halpin ’08 (journalism and political science), who grew up in the tiny town of Plainville, MA, and is now a deputy press secretary for U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). “I loved the energy, the size, the atmosphere, and the possibilities.”

Halpin says her time in Amherst was “incredible” but acknowledges that what a person gets out of the experience is up to each individual. “You can go to UMass Amherst and become anything—but it requires self-discipline. Its size creates this choice for everyone who attends. There are so many temptations. We all know people who just coasted through, but there are plenty who settled for nothing less than As. The journalism and political science staff was just great to me. I formed close relationships with professors and have really benefited from them. It’s so important to have mentors. I can’t thank them enough. And lastly, I think it’s really important to take advantage of internship opportunities.”

Internships are almost essential these days when it comes time to find a job. “Everyone looks for experience, and internships can be a lot of fun,” Halpin says. But then she had a very special experience as a production intern on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart for her final spring semester. “I never thought I’d actually land the position,” Halpin recalls, “but I sent in my resume, got an interview, and was hired. Ultimately, this job was a stepping stone into my career, but UMass Amherst most definitely was my stepping stone into the internship.”

On any given day Halpin’s work on The Daily Show was based on a schedule, which rotated the eleven interns around the building. “I worked in the control room, accounting, studio production, audience, tape library, general production, and reception. I also was sent on runs, logged tapes, went on field shoots, and handled occasional small projects. By shifting responsibilities every day, I gained a greater knowledge of how a television show is actually produced.”

Halpin’s internship experience, she says, was an extension of her journalism and political science classes. “The Daily Show focuses mainly on political topics, and I think my background in political science gave me a distinct advantage over most of the other interns—and, dare I say, some of the staff. I was amazed, actually, how little some people really know about the current political climate in this country.”

Before this internship, Halpin thought that being a television news reporter was her goal. But now she thinks the production aspect is a better fit. In addition, she started thinking about jobs in the political arena. “The Daily Show is highly regarded in the entertainment industry and within political circles,” says Halpin. “It certainly improved my resume and I think played a key role in landing my position in Senator Schumer’s office. In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve already traveled to Washington, held press conferences, written many press releases and worked with the press. Best of all, I can pay my rent here in New York City!”

August 20, 2008