LSU Manship School of Mass Communication student Kennedi Walker is spending the summer in New York City, interning with ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Follow along as Walker gets hands-on experience, living in New York City and working in the field she loves.
May 2019
After completing my internship and graduating from LSU, I have accepted a job as a News Reporter at WVLA, the NBC station in Baton Rouge. I hope this shows current students and potential students that it is possible to get great internships and a full-time job after graduating from LSU!
August 10, 2018
And that’s a wrap! My Good Morning America internship has come to an end. I have learned so much in the 11.5 weeks that I’ve been here, and I also met some great people along the way.
My day-to-day included getting to the studio at 6:30 a.m. to help Robin’s producer, Alex, for the first hour, then helping in various ways during the second hour. After the show ended, I would go to the ABC building and assist Robin’s Special Projects Manager, Reni, with anything that she needed for Robin. Some days I would report to Robin’s Production Company, “Rock’n Robin Productions.” At RRP, I went out on shoots with her producers Jade and Gabe and helped track stories. I also pitched story ideas. Overall, I had the time of my life this summer, and I’m sad to see it end. I am going to miss everyone so much.
When I arrived in New York I was terrified. I didn’t know anyone, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Luckily, my fear quickly went away. I was blessed to be around the kindest people that I’ve ever met. Robin and her team treated me like one of their own. Even though I went to GMA alone, I left with a family. Robin not only taught me how to be a better journalist, but a better person. She taught me the importance of great storytelling, kindness and humbleness.
I had many great memories, but two that stand out are Robin taking me to Chicago for the Special Olympics and when I interviewed her on the set of GMA. Like most of the internship, I’m especially going to remember that for the rest of my life. Robin volunteered to be my life-long mentor and called me her “mini-me.” The kindness that Robin showed me is something that I can’t put into words. She treated me like her own and for that I am forever grateful.
I hope that after reading about my journey that other students will consider an internship at GMA. The experience truly changed my life, and I’m happy to help anyone try to get there.
August 3, 2018
This week was the most exhilarating time of my life. Since my first week, Robin and her Special Projects Manager, Reni, who assigns me work everyday, have been asking me what was the top thing that I wanted to get accomplished while being at GMA. I, being just grateful to be at GMA and around Robin, never had an answer - until recently.
Robin has been my role model for a very long time. I have followed her ever since I saw her reporting on Hurricane Katrina. It has always been a dream of mine to interview her, so I decided, why not ask? I brought the idea to Reni and Alex (Robin’s Morning Producer), and together they helped me come up with a proposal to ask Robin for the favor. Robin agreed and made it clear that if I were to interview her, she did not want to see the questions beforehand because she said in the real world my interviewee would never see the questions, so I might as well start practicing now.
Within no time, Alex and Reni coordinated with GMA’s crew, and before I knew it the interview was set. On Tuesday, July 31st, my dream came true. After the show, I walked to the downstairs studio where I saw the most beautiful and intimate interview set that I had ever seen - all for MY interview with Robin. The interview took about 15 minutes, and it could not have gone smoother. Robin made me extremely comfortable, and I was surrounded by her team, GMA’s crew, and my fellow interns, all of whom were cheering me on in the wings.
Before the interview ended, I gifted Robin an LSU sweatshirt. Robin attended Southeastern and always jokes with me about attending LSU since our schools are rivals. She loved the gift and was a good sport about it.
I’m so thankful for Robin for taking me under her wing and being my mentor. She has not only taught me how to be a better journalist, but a better person. I know that with her as a mentor I’m going to continue to learn so much about the industry, and I’m excited to do so. Watch my interview with Robin on Facebook.
July 27, 2018
This week we celebrated National Intern Day! On Friday, 12 GMA summer interns were featured on the show. Three interns were chosen to ask Barbara Corcoran from "Shark Tank" a question about the next steps for turning your internship into a job, and I was one of the three! Barbara gave me great advice and she was extremely kind. Watch this video for advice from Corcoran and GMA's own anchors.
July 21, 2018
This weekend was perfect. Robin invited me to tag along with her for the Special Olympics 50th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago. I’m learning so much from her and I’m extremely grateful for her nuggets of wisdom. She posted the first picture of us at the airport and called me her “mini-me.” I’m so happy to have her as a mentor.
July 13, 2018
This week, Robin came back from vacation. She allowed me to sit in on a few of her meetings with her production company and take notes. Next week she is going out on a story and invited me to come! Today the Backstreet Boys performed at GMA’s summer concert, and the interns got to make a “music video” to one of their songs. The producers enjoyed it so much that we were featured on the show. You can watch the clip on GMA's Twitter.
June 29, 2018
This week I hosted GMA’s Wakeup Call which is Good Morning America’s pre-show on Facebook live. I interviewed Robin and allowed viewers to see behind the scenes. After the interview, a clip was aired on the real show! Robin is wonderful and I am so blessed to have her as my boss. Watch the clip on Facebook!
June 22, 2018
Another eventful week! Thursday was “National Selfie Day” and like most people, we celebrated. The interns were asked to take a selfie in the green room and we were featured on the show! I also took selfies with Michael, Robin, Ginger and more.
June 15, 2018
This week has been the most enjoyable thus far. I went to the studio every day this week and helped with production. I also shadowed core members of Robin's team while the show was taking place. On Wednesday, I was able to sit in on a meeting with Robin and her team and help pitch story ideas. Earlier that day, while taking pictures with Robin, she wanted us to switch poses and do the “Charlie’s Angels" pose. I wasn’t aware of what that was, and she and other people on set poked fun at me for never watching. This weekend I’ll definitely make sure to catch up on all things "Charlie’s Angels!"
June 8, 2018
This week I helped plan upcoming segments for the show. I have been assigned to Robin Roberts' team, and I am her personal intern. She was off this week, so I stayed back at the office with her producers. She comes back to work on Monday, and I’m excited to see what we will do next week. Every Friday, all of the interns have to help set up the summer concert series that GMA hosts, and like last week, it was a lot of fun. Ne-Yo performed, and we took a picture!
June 1, 2018
Today, I worked my first concert for GMA. Every Friday they host their Summer Concert Series at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, and this week Halsey performed. Every Friday the interns have to show up at 4:30 a.m. to help work the concerts. Even though it was early in the morning and it started to rain, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world. It was a lot of fun, and I can’t wait until next week!
May 31, 2018
I got to see the GMA studio today! It’s honestly AMAZING. The lights, cameras and people are all so great; I can’t even put it into words. On the show a couple got married, and singer MAX performed his hit song “Lights Down Low.” When the show ended a couple of the interns and I got to take pictures in the studio. I felt like a real anchor. I can’t wait to see what I get to do this summer!
May 29, 2018
Today, I had orientation, and it was great. I took a tour of one of the ABC buildings, and I ran into David Muir and Ron Swanson (played by the actor Nick Offerman). While I was taking the tour, I was informed that the ABC building that I was in has two cafeterias, three coffee shops, a convenience store, an infirmary and a barbershop! I also got to see where the cooking show “The Chew” gets filmed. Overall, it was a great day. My official first day as an intern for GMA starts tomorrow, and I’m super excited!
