WSSU graduate gains real-world newsroom experience through internship at WXII 12 News
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) mass communications graduate, Tia Greene, Class of 2025, is spending the summer gaining hands-on experience as a newsroom intern at local TV station WXII 12 News, thanks to a competitive opportunity made possible through the Emma Bowen Foundation.
A second-generation Ram, Greene, a native of Durham, chose WSSU because of her mother’s influence and a familiarity with the campus environment. During her time at WSSU, she was active with Rams TV, sharpening her media production and storytelling skills.
Her internship at WXII spans 2.5 months and includes shadowing reporters, producers and the digital team. Each day brings new experiences, ranging from editing video packages to writing articles and accompanying reporters on live shots and interviews.
“No day is the same here,” Greene said. Some days she’s out in the field all day, and other days she’s in the newsroom writing or editing. “Through this internship, I’m gaining editing, writing, photography and public speaking skills.”
Greene learned about the WXII TV opportunity through the Emma Bowen Foundation, which connects students to internships in the media and technology industries.
“My career goal is to become a multimedia journalist/reporter and eventually anchor for an international news station,” she said.
The TV station featured Greene as a part of its news package for National Intern Day – observed the last Thursday in July – where she participated in an on-camera segment at the news desk.
She encourages other WSSU students interested in media careers to network with their peers and professors, apply to everything and take full advantage of available resources. “Use the free equipment, take the criticism, work as hard as you can, and don’t ever stop,” she advised.
When asked about her long-term impact, she shared: “I hope to change people’s lives by inspiring them and giving voices to those who feel unheard and unseen.”
She also expressed deep gratitude to the WSSU Mass Communications Department, giving special thanks to professors Sky Tilley, Todd Davis and Antonio Davis, and former professor Dr. Lona Cobb. “They all brought something out of me, took time out of their day to give me extra help, and gave me hope that I can make it.”
“Had it not been for WSSU,” she said, “I would’ve never pursued this career.”
Click here to learn more about WSSU’s mass communications program.
