Pittsburgh Magazine Internship Provides Jilian Musser '27 with Real-World Reporting Experience Student Profile
Meet Jilian Musser '27
- Job Title & Employer
- Intern, Pittsburgh Magazine
- Majors/Programs
- Broadcast Reporting, Cinema Production
- Minor
- Marketing
- College Activities
- WPPJ, U-View, The Globe, Pioneer Records
- Hometown
- Denver, Pa.
- High School
- Cocalico High School
- Hobbies & Interests
- Collecting vintage media, spending time with family and friends, staying active
"The journalism faculty at Point Park have impacted how I see and apply myself as a reporter."
What steps did you take to secure an internship at Pittsburgh Magazine?
I applied to be a summer intern with the Center for Media Innovation's Pittsburgh Media Partnership. Through the process, Frank Garland, Pittsburgh Media Partnership's project manager, placed me with Pittsburgh Magazine. Up until then, I had been working hard in my classes to create written stories, video packages and an on-air reel.
What are your key responsibilities as a reporter for Pittsburgh Magazine?
My job requires me to report on whatever stories Virginia Linn (my editor) may request. Some days are short where I write press releases, while other days require me to call a source to clarify information. Longer assignments can take me more than a week depending on source availability. I also have done turnaround reporting which may require me to go to a press conference or a media viewing and write the story that same day.
In what ways has your Point Park undergraduate experience prepared you for this role?
The journalism faculty at Point Park have impacted how I see and apply myself as a reporter. Throughout the duration of my internship, I kept thinking back to my Newsgathering & Reporting class with Andy Conte. Andy taught me how to report in a diverse set of styles and to get a head start on a story.
Why would you recommend Point Park’s broadcast reporting and cinema production programs?
I thoroughly enjoy all my classes at Point Park. The faculty are amazing and can assist you on your career path. Point Park provides me opportunities I do not think I would be able to achieve at another institution. I just completed my sophomore year and have already written for a publication and worked for SportsNet Pittsburgh broadcasting the Pirates. I am blessed every day with how Point Park prepares me and provides opportunities to help me reach my career goals.
What do you enjoy most about living and learning in Downtown Pittsburgh?
Downtown is where everything is happening. Growing up in Amish country and moving to a big city was a change, but Pittsburgh has always felt right. From the museums, coffee shops and restaurants, there is always something to do. My favorite is when Christmas comes around and Market Square is changed into a holiday market and the ice rink is open for the season.