INTERNSHIP CHECK-IN: Rachel West, Broadcasting Intern with the Tampa Bay Rays

Internship Summary

Rachel West is a senior Telecommunications News major in the College of Journalism and Communications at UF at is from Sarasota, FL. Rachel is a broadcasting intern with the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, FL. She assists in the production of the Rays radio broadcasts — in the booth and press box during every home game, conducts interviews and gathers pregame and post game audio from the clubhouse as well as working with watch parties during road games.

Internship Highlights

West says that getting to be in the clubhouse and talk with and interview the players and coaches before and after every game has made the entire internship worth while.

West says, “I’m getting experience interviewing and getting to be a part of the media for a professional sports team. I’m also learning a lot more about the technical things that go into putting on a broadcast.”

West’s time as a beat reporter for the baseball team, producing for ESPN radio and anchoring for WUFT-TV has really prepared her for her duties with the Tampa Bay Rays this summer. The interviews and building relationships with the players, coaches, media members, and the rest of the front office staff have been invaluable for her.

Her advice for younger students at UF:

“Get involved early and often! Literally do whatever you can to gain experience, even if it’s just shadowing. The more experience you’re able to gain, the more comfortable you’ll feel in whatever position it is you want moving forward and the better you’ll be at it. I credit my internship and so much of what I’m doing now to all the things I was able to experience during my time at UF, so I honestly can’t emphasize getting involved enough!”