Shannon Beydler '12 - New Media Semester
The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
Shannon Beydler participated in the Fall 2010 W&M in Washington semester New Media and Culture in the Nation's Capital. As a Government and English double major, Shannon put her interests to good use, interning for The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. With responsibilities ranging from maintaining the Pulitzer Center YouTube channel to assisting with an interview of Chief Prosecutor of the ICC Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Shannon delved into the "real world" with flare.
Shannon considers her New Media experience a success because she developed a variety of skills from stronger utilization of social media platforms to an improved resume, interview technique and understanding of the professional world. Working with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube on a daily basis required Shannon to capture interviews with FlipCams and edit video content with iMovie and Final Cut Pro. She has since used these skills to build a portfolio blog and to make the Class of 2012 Facebook page interactive during her internship with Undergraduate Admissions. Although learning to navigate the professional world of responsibility presented some challenges, Shannon notes that the support of the W&M staff helped her to make the most of this opportunity.
To new interns Shannon recommends a night on the town -- museums are free, and the 930 Club is an excellent place for concerts. Kayaking on the Potomac and strolling through Eastern Market on a weekend morning are fantastic ways to enjoy the city. “Whatever you choose, make the most of it!”
