PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – When I first came to the station, I expected to grow in my skills. I knew I would leave with more experience, more confidence, and a better understanding of the media world. But what I didn’t expect was how much this internship would teach me about life in general. The lessons I learned here go way beyond a sales floor or a broadcast schedule. These are things I will carry with me in every room I walk into from now on.
So, I want to share a few of those lessons. Some were said to me directly. Others I had to figure out along the way. Either way, they taught me things I’ll carry for the rest of my life.
#1: Your name is your currency
One of the first things someone told me during my internship was, “Your name is your currency.” At first, I thought it just meant doing good work. But as time went on, I realized it meant much more. Every time I showed up early, asked thoughtful questions, or followed through without reminders, I was building credibility. My reputation grew stronger. People began to trust me and see me as someone who truly contributed. That’s when it clicked: your name travels further than you do. It’s mentioned in rooms you haven’t entered yet. And depending on how you carry yourself, it can either open doors or quietly close them. Reputation is built in the small moments. And trust? That’s something you earn one decision at a time.
#2: Closed mouths don’t get fed
I had to get over the fear of being annoying. At first, I was quiet and didn’t want to get in the way. But I realized quickly that no one can help you if you don’t say what you want. I had to ask to shadow people. I had to ask for feedback. I had to speak up in meetings and let people know what I was curious about. The more I asked, the more opportunities came my way. People were more than willing to help—I just had to be bold enough to speak up. This taught me that silence can hold you back more than rejection ever could.
#3: You don’t have to be the loudest to make the biggest impact
I am not the loudest voice in the room, and for a while, I thought that was a bad thing. But being here showed me that there is power in presence. Sometimes it is the person who listens, who observes, who thinks before speaking, that leaves the strongest impression. I made an impact by showing up prepared. I asked thoughtful questions. I stayed curious. I let my work speak for me when I didn’t have the words. That made people notice me in a different way. I stopped trying to force a personality that wasn’t mine and just leaned into who I already am. And it worked.
#4: Be curious, not just ambitious
I have always been goal-oriented. I like having a plan. I like knowing what’s next. But being here taught me that there is beauty in just learning for the sake of learning. I found myself asking questions that weren’t just tied to my role. I wanted to know how different departments worked together. I wanted to understand the strategy behind client pitches and media buys. I wanted to learn how people built their careers. That kind of curiosity made every day more valuable. It helped me connect with people. It kept me engaged. Ambition is about getting to the top, but curiosity is about enjoying the climb.
#5: The way you treat people matters
One of the biggest things I realized is that relationships matter just as much as results. This industry is small — everyone knows someone. Your name follows you, and how you treat people sticks. I learned that kindness, patience, and respect aren’t just nice gestures — they’re part of your professional brand. I made it a habit to treat everyone with the same level of respect, from other interns to managers. People remember how you made them feel, and that kind of reputation opens doors you don’t even see yet.
This internship gave me a front-row seat to the media world. But it also gave me tools that I can use anywhere. These lessons didn’t just make me a better intern—they made me a better communicator, teammate, and person. And for that, I’m thankful
One more blog to go.
Let’s finish strong and keep it WAVY!
