Shark Tank. Just the name of the television show brings a sense of awe and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, and students alike. Students at the Nicholson School of Communication and Media have an exciting internship opportunity to gain experiences in communication and media while working on Shark Tank. Clay Newbill, the Executive Producer/Showrunner at Shark Tank, discusses why he created his scholarship that provides opportunities for students and his inspiration for producing the show.
Why do you believe it’s important to provide opportunities for students to gain experience in the communication and media field?
“There is no better location to gain experience in the entertainment industry than Los Angeles. It is the entertainment industry of the world. Every sector of the industry is based here. To use a sports analogy, it is the big leagues. Shark Tank is a highly respected and regarded show in the industry. Every student that goes through the program has a highly valuable addition to their resume.
Why did you start the internship/what inspired you to produce Shark Tank?
“After graduating with a double major in Film and R/TV I could not get a job. I was told my degree was “nice”, but I lacked on the job experience. It was a stressful time, graduating and thinking I was going find a job and start my career, but learning that I couldn’t. I saw an opportunity to get an internship at WCPX, but I had to be a student, so I re-enrolled at UCF to take one graduate course so I could qualify for the internship my plan was to work hard and impress my bosses, and that would lead to a paying job at the station, and it did. I don’t want students to go through what I did. I want to offer them experience and an opportunity to prove themselves.”
Also, how does Shark Tank differentiate itself from other internships/jobs?
“Shark Tank has 23 Emmy nominations, with 4 wins, 10 Critics Choice Awards and several other accolades. Sharks were on SNL last week, etc. The show is beloved and respected within our industry. It is not every day that a person can go to work and help someone achieve their dreams! And it is a PAYING internship/job. The scholarship provides cash for moving expenses and the job pays a weekly salary. It is a dream gig for these students.”
By Majdulina Hamed.
Published to Nicholson News on February 7th, 2024.
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