JEM Alums Get Hands-on in NYC as IRTS Summer Fellows
School of Journalism and Media alumni Aubrey Caster (’22) and Valentina Gómez (’23) on the set of LIVE with Kelly and Mark as part of the 2023 IRTS Summer Fellowship Program.
Aubrey Caster (’22) dreamed of being in New York City.
The Murfreesboro native and School of Journalism and Media alumnus is currently living that dream as he and Chilean native and alumna Valentina Gómez (’23) represent the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, at the 2023 International Radio Television Society (IRTS) Summer Fellowship Program.
The nine-week program “allows participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of the media industry, enhance their professional skills and develop their network, all while interning at a top media company in NYC,” according to the society’s website.
“It’s a great privilege to have Valentina and Aubrey in the 2023 IRTS Summer Fellowship cohort,” said Lauren Kruk-Winokur, senior vice president for academic programs and communications at IRTS Foundation. “Both have gone above and beyond to not only learn as much as possible, but they have helped us foster a vibrant, inclusive community that we are so proud of at IRTS.”
Caster is interning on the marketing and sales team at Media Monitors, an ad monitoring company that monitors ads across broadcast, cable, and radio. The experience has been eye-opening for Caster, who is currently pursuing a master’s in digital marketing at Wake Forest University.
Caster has also enjoyed going on various media industry tours of companies, including Paramount and Spotify, and has used the opportunities to network with other media professionals.
“It’s been the best thing ever learning about the different sides of media and the different roles that people have within these companies,” Caster said. “Networking is a huge part of the program and the thing that I like best is everybody is so willing to speak and connect with you.”
Gómez is working in the strategic services department at VidMob, where they analyze social media ads for clients and provide suggestions to help optimize their reach. Gómez said she has now worked with various national brands such as Home Depot, Kellogg’s, and L’Oréal.
Gómez said the professional development workshop on data analysis was particularly interesting. She wants to learn more about using data to drive decisions in public relations. Another highlight of her experience was meeting TODAY anchor Sheinelle Jones.
“She was the most stunning, smart, brilliant woman ever,” Gómez said.
Gómez said Jones’ advice of “ask for what you want, take what you get, and use what you get to get what you want” resonated with her, especially as she prepares to start a new graduate assistant position in the international students and staff services department with the Center of Global Engagement.
Gómez earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and minored in gender and sexuality studies and retail management. She plans to pursue a master’s in public relations at UT starting this fall.
Professor Emeritus Sam Swan said UT students have participated in the IRTS summer fellowship since the late 1980s. Since that time, the university has sent at least one student each summer to participate in the competitive fellowship. More recently, support from UT alumnus Larry Patrick ensures at least one student participates each year.
“We have a long history of hosting incredible students from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and hope to continue this partnership for years to come,” Kruk-Winokur said. “We are grateful to Larry Patrick for his support of our program and for all of our alums for continuing to champion IRTS.”
Swan said many UT alums that completed the program work at some of the biggest media companies in the world. UT alumnus and senior business analyst at The Walt Disney Company (ESPN) Nick Lewandowski (’17) recalled marking the application deadline for the fellowship six months in advance after hearing about the program from Swan and Professor Barb Kaye.
Lewandowski came to UT wanting to concentrate in broadcast journalism, however, one opportunity led to another, and he found himself spending much of his time at TVC helping run Sports Mecca and working on SEC Productions producing school events on WatchESPN.com and some linear ESPN channels (ESPN2/ESPNU) within the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio.
The people are what Lewandowski loves most about IRTS. He said through this program he was able to make lasting friendships and a support network that was invaluable early in his career.
Lewandowski returned to Rocky Top last fall to share his IRTS experience with students and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity. He said whether student interests are broad or well-defined, IRTS can help mold them and jumpstart their media careers.
“Participating in the IRTS program changed my life. Having access to the industry’s top executives and networking among peers with all sorts of backgrounds was the environment I needed to surround myself with,” Lewandowski said. “I cannot emphasize how much this program has meant to me.”