School of Communication Student Taylor Spirito Highlights Media Relations Internship with Pittsburgh Penguins Student Profile
Taylor Spirito interned for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2020 spring semester.
Meet Taylor Spirito
- Job Title & Employer
- Media Relations Intern, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Major/Program
- Broadcast Reporting
- Minor
- Creative Writing
- Graduation
- April 2021
- College Activities
- UView, WPPJ, Pittsburgh Center for Sports Media & Marketing, Broadcast Education Association, Point Park Sports Network, The Globe, Honors Program
- Scholarships
- Vice Presidential, Richard P. Simmons Family Foundation Scholarship
- Hometown
- Erie, Pa.
- High School
- Fort LeBoeuf High School
- Hobbies & Interests
Writing, drawing, watching sports, thrift shopping, visiting coffee shops and taking my dog for car rides
“Point Park did an excellent job of preparing Taylor for her internship in the Penguins Communications Department. Like many other Point Park students we’ve had over the years, Taylor had a great understanding of how a professional sports team is run prior to joining us. She also always conducted herself in a professional manner and showed proficiency in both her writing and technical skills.”
"My internship was all about handling the media to ensure they had the proper resources to do their jobs ... It feels like I had a networking opportunity everywhere I turned! My job led to me constantly being surrounded by professionals not just in the Penguins organization, but media from all over the country and beyond."
What steps did you take to secure your internship with the Pittsburgh Penguins?
The previous station managers of U-View (Sara Mackulin and Allison Schubert) had this internship, so when it came to starting to apply, one of the supervisors texted Allison and asked if she knew of anyone interested in the position. She shared my name and I sent my resume and application using TeamWork Online. I was offered an interview the next day and the internship the following day.
What were your key responsibilities as a media relations intern?
My internship was all about handling the media to ensure they had the proper resources to do their jobs. Before the game, the interns took shifts overseeing the credential table while also making line sheets for both teams, which we would later verify during warm-ups and distribute to the media.
During the game, we recorded game notes regarding the Penguins and their players for the following game’s statistics packet.
At intermission, we took the official stat sheet from NHL.com and made copies for the media, including the Penguins Radio Network, AT&T SportsNet and even NBC when they were in town.
After the game, we went into the locker room for soundbites from players during their media scrums, the interview from the away coach and distributed the microphone to members of the media during Coach Mike Sullivan's post-game press conference.
What networking opportunities did you have during this internship?
It feels like I had a networking opportunity everywhere I turned! My job led to me constantly being surrounded by professionals not just in the Penguins organization, but media from all over the country and beyond. I got to meet my favorite female hockey journalist when she was in town. I became acquaintances with people working as an off-ice official for the NHL, and I got to mingle with people from different departments like hockey operations and the Penguins Radio Network. Working the annual Night of Assists charity gala also provided me with the opportunity to meet figureheads throughout the Pittsburgh community.
What factors led you to pursue your undergraduate degree from Point Park University?
The Downtown Pittsburgh location and the fact that campus is so close to every sports venue in the city was what initially got me interested in Point Park. When I toured and did more research, I fell in love with the Point Park's School of Communication. I knew I would get hands-on experience right from the start and I really valued that.
What are some of your favorite Point Park experiences thus far?
This is such a difficult question because every experience could be my favorite. I was a finalist at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards in New York City my sophmore year, so that experience was amazing, especially since my mom got to be there, too. I got to direct an interview with Doc Emrick from NBC Sports and pick his brain about his job and his career path. Hosting two shows at U-View (Daybreak and Pioneer Sideline) have brought me some of the best memories and friends I could ever ask for. Honestly, everything I’ve experienced at Point Park has been absolutely wonderful and I couldn’t ask for more.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It’s so important to take every opportunity you’re given but also to go and get those opportunities if they’re not obvious. There’s no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t have gotten this internship if it weren’t for the fact that I had internship experience with a sports team already, which I had when I was a freshman. And be persistent! Not everything is going to be handed to you on a silver platter.