A Lethbridge College student will get the opportunity to learn in two of Canada’s largest media markets thanks to a one-of-a-kind internship opportunity. Skylar Peters, a second-year Digital Communications and Media (DCM) student, is the recipient of this year’s Troy Reeb Internship.
Reeb is a 1988 Broadcast Journalism alumnus, and was honoured as the college’s 2003 Distinguished Alumni recipient. He will also receive an Honorary Degree from the college at this year’s Convocation ceremony. Reeb was recently promoted to Executive Vice President, Broadcast Networks for Corus Entertainment, overseeing Global Television, 44 specialty television stations, 39 radio stations and all of Corus’ online platforms and apps.
For 14 years, Reeb has sponsored this annual internship for one DCM student to spend 10 days in a major market setting. Peters will learn from television, radio and digital journalists in both Toronto and Ottawa.
“Skylar has all the ingredients of a great journalist in the making,” says Reeb. “He’s creative, mature, approachable and passionate about telling stories. We look forward to helping him kick-start his career with a major market internship at Global News.”
The all-expenses-paid internship will begin in Toronto, where Peters will spend time with the teams at Globalnews.ca, Global Toronto (TV) and Global News Radio 640 Toronto. He 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. Peters will then travel to Ottawa where he’ll be on Parliament Hill, working with the Ottawa bureau of Global National.
To apply for the competitive internship, Peters wrote a two-part news story about social media influencers and the role they play in society, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of those who create their personas online.
“This internship means everything to me,” says Peters. “Going to Toronto and experiencing the best-of-the-best in that Corus group with the Global news team, and then going to Ottawa and standing on Parliament Hill will be a chance for me to prove that I can handle my own in those scrums and be able to ask the tough questions.”
Peters is the 14th Lethbridge College student to earn this unique internship opportunity. Past winners include Global Edmonton’s Quinn Ohler, Dan Grummett of CTV Edmonton and CTV Winnipeg’s Gabrielle Marchand.
“Troy's dedication to the Digital Communications and Media program at Lethbridge College is incredible,” says Kris Hodgson, chair of the School of Media and Design. “Skylar’s submission stood out as he found a compelling story that needed to be shared because it speaks to the negative implications of trying to always show only the happy moments in your life. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes and people don't realize the incredible mental health issues that can arise when you are not presenting the real you to your friends and family."
Peters is from Brandon, Man. He has a passion for journalism and came to Lethbridge College after hearing about the program from college alumni who had gone on to work in Manitoba. He looks forward to working in journalism after graduation.
“I’ll be really happy wherever I end up, as long as it’s in a storytelling role,” says Peters. “Whether it be for radio, television or writing, it makes me really happy to write stories that have an impact on people.”
More information on the Digital Communications and Media program is available on the Lethbridge College website.