Interning at New York Public Radio
To anyone who is reading this: Hello! I am so excited to have this opportunity to be writing for the blog (I’ve secretly always wanted to be a blogger). Before I get into it, let me give you some background. My name is Devyn Hightower, and I am a senior at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. I love food, shopping, working out and listening to music/podcasts as often as possible.
Having been to the city a handful of times as a child and teen, I fell in love with everything that New York has to offer. It’s a truly magical city, and I love the hustle culture that encompasses it. I knew I needed to spend some time here somehow, and the New York Arts Program was the perfect way for me to do so. Nothing beats getting a test run of the adult world, living and interning in “The Big Apple.”
With all of that being said, it was a match made in heaven when I was told that I would be the business development intern at New York Public Radio. It’s the perfect blend of both of my majors, and being in the city isn’t too bad, either. To put it simply, I do a lot of prospect and donor research that aids fundraising at the station (which is important to note: keeps the non-profit running). However, there has been plenty of time for me to make my way around the office and watch the other departments in action. The vast majority of the work I have done this past semester in the office aided the annual NYPR Fundraiser Gala, hosted at The Plaza Hotel, which I was able to work and attend.
Can someone pinch me? I think I’ve been living a dream.
My friends, family and coworkers have been so eager to know every detail about my experience thus far interning at NYPR. To be honest, time has gone by so fast that nearing the end of it all and reflecting on it has been so hard! It feels like every second since arriving in September has gone by in the blink of an eye. However, it’s truly the small things that I will remember. The bi-weekly intern lunches, where I have made connections with people interning in different departments and learned more about NYPR than I thought possible. The “Random Food Thursdays,” where every person in the office watches Slack like a hawk, waiting to see what afternoon snack we will get to have that week. The weekly development team meetings that typically end with tarot card readings and loads of laughter. Most of all, I will miss the friendships and connections I have established here and the effort that those around me put in to ensure that my time here is worthwhile and a great learning experience. I cannot thank NYPR and its employees enough.
Being able to live in New York, working in an office for the largest and most successful public radio station in the nation has been better than anything I could have hoped for. The work environment is so upbeat and fosters every employee’s creativity, something I truly admired getting to witness. Here I am treated as more than just an intern, I have been accepted into the NYPR family and I am so grateful. It’s safe to say that I think I New York has not seen the last of me...
Written by Devyn Hightower