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Interning with NHPR

Meghan Marcus gave college a try for a year and half after high school and found herself wandering and not particularly interested. She left school to focus on a career in banking and raising her three boys. Now, nearly 20 years later, she is back in school with determination.  Meghan, a senior in the communication arts program and history minor at UNH Manchester, believes that finding the college in 2006 was truly a blessing. “We have such a wonderful opportunity at UNH Manchester. I know my advisor and the faculty come to me with scholarship opportunities. You wouldn’t get that at a larger University. I can’t say enough about what a great experience I have had here.”

Over the past few years Meghan has learned to balance the demands of being a single parent with being a full-time student, while also working two part-time jobs, tutoring, and volunteering to represent the college and the communication arts major at events. This fall she decided to also try an internship to gain some experience in public broadcasting. She found herself at New Hampshire Public Radio’s daily talk show, The Exchange with Laura Knoy.

As an intern with NHPR, Meghan researches topics presented to her by the show’s producers, Keith Shields and Laura Knoy.  Meghan looks for historical information as well as combing through local and national papers, think tank websites, etc. She also helps by putting together a roadmap for the next day’s program. She sketches out the dialog which is then modified by Shields and Knoy. During the show Meghan screens phone calls and presents the producers with callers who have something to contribute to the show.

Meghan has really enjoyed the experience with NHPR.  As a history minor, she likes to see how a topic goes from research to a final end product, particularly for a public format. Meghan sees the opportunity as a great segue into her interest in one day working with PBS Television. She said, “This is a great intro for me into public media and broadcasting. If I send a resume to PBS what better than to say I interned at NHPR.” Meghan graduates in May 2010 and is considering pursuing a master’s degree in liberal arts, a new program at UNH Manchester.