Broadcast communication major Eduardo Sanchez takes on the “Big Apple”

One of the best ways for students to get a jump start on their careers is by interning in their field of interest.

Senior Eduardo Sanchez spent his summer in New York City interning at NBC News Network on its assignment desk. A broadcast communication major, he took to the “Big Apple” to develop his skills as a journalist, working on breaking news, gathering user-generated content and staying up-to-date on what was happening around the country and worldwide.

“From day one, I wasn’t treated like an intern but more of an employee, which was really amazing,” says Sanchez. “It was fun. It was challenging, but at the same time it was rewarding because I was doing something that I really like doing.”

After receiving recommendation letters from North Central faculty, like Assistant Professor of Journalism Kay O’Donnell, he submitted his application to NBC Careers and landed the internship in New York—his second with the network. During fall term 2014, he interned in Chicago with Telemundo, a Spanish language broadcast television network and division of NBCUniversal Hispanic Enterprises and Content.

“The internship in New York was a good experience and it showed me that I really want to stay in this market and the field of journalism, whether it’s on-air reporting, working behind the scenes, at the desk or on social media,” says Sanchez.

After interning in New York City, he went through the internship application process for the third time and joined NBC, working in the consumer investigation department in Chicago this fall.

“I discovered the beauty and benefit of staying in contact with the people you meet, because you never know when someone might open the doors again for you,” says Sanchez. “I was at NBC before and never saw myself coming back. But here I am again, because I kept in touch and networked.”

With plenty of experience in the field, he has been behind the scenes and deep into the stories that people watch on TV. Even while a student, he’s an active participant in the journalism world and believes there’s a future in his field of study.

“Journalism is continually changing, and I think people need to know they don’t have to be afraid of that. The task now is to ask ‘how do I change myself’ and ‘how do I adapt to the new skills’ in writing and video editing tools that go along with the changing environment.”

The first in his family to attend college, Sanchez has proven that perseverance and passion can take you far in your career, even before it starts. Looking to the future, he sees himself using Spanish, English or both languages in his journalism career.

“What I like about journalism is that you get to know people and you get to tell a story that might impact a community, on a small or large scale, in Chicago or across the country,” says Sanchez.  

By Stephanie Snyder ’15/ M ’17