Toronto and Ottawa represent Canada’s news hotspots, meaning it often takes years of experience and multiple moves for journalists to break into those markets. But a second-year Lethbridge College student will get to jump right in as the recipient of this year’s Troy Reeb Internship.
Recipient December Burgess, a Digital Communications and Media (DCM) student, will spend 10 days immersed in the world of broadcast and journalism at some of the top newsrooms in the country.
Troy Reeb, a 1988 Broadcast Journalism alumnus and 2003 Distinguished Alumni recipient, is Corus Entertainment’s Senior Vice President, News, Radio and Station Operations. Reeb appreciated Burgess' open mindedness, her enthusiasm for learning and her writing style.
“The news article December wrote as part of her application process brought tears to my eyes. That’s the first time in 13 years this has happened,” says Reeb. “She paints a picture with her writing. She has a bright future and we look forward to welcoming her to Toronto and Ottawa later this spring.”
The all-expenses-paid internship will begin in Toronto, where Burgess will spend time with the teams at Globalnews.ca, Global Toronto (TV) and Global News Radio 640. She will have the opportunity to learn about Canada’s fastest-growing major news website, how round-the-clock news teams operate and how Global’s nationally-televised The Morning Show is produced. Burgess will then travel to Ottawa where she’ll be on Parliament Hill, working with the Ottawa bureau of Global National.
To apply for the internship, Burgess wrote a news story that uncovered multiple cases of cyberbullying and the prevalence of it happening across Canada. She realized it was a compelling story more people had to hear, and she hopes it will bring attention to the fact people are not getting punished for harassing others online.
“I love writing and being a producer,” says Burgess. “This internship will provide me incredible opportunities to broaden my perspective.”
Kris Hodgson, interim chair of the School of Media and Design, echoes this sentiment. “The Troy Reeb Internship is an amazing opportunity for students in the Digital Communications and Media program. The opportunity to spend time with one of Canada's top broadcasters will be an invaluable opportunity for December."
Burgess is from Moose Jaw, Sask. She has always loved writing and saw Lethbridge College’s DCM program as a natural fit after graduating from high school. The program offers opportunities across multiple platforms, including print, online, radio, television and 360-degree storytelling.
Burgess is the 13th Lethbridge College student to take advantage of this unique internship opportunity. Past winners include Global Edmonton’s Quinn Ohler, Dan Grummett of CTV Edmonton and CTV Winnipeg’s Gabrielle Marchand.
More information on the Digital Communications and Media program is available on the Lethbridge College website.