Albani Hunt ’24 says being accepted to the NBC Sports internship program for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is surreal. “I’ve been watching the Olympic Games for as long as I can remember,” she says. “I’m very excited to be able to have a sense of what it’s like behind the scenes. And I’m going to be covering the gymnastics event, which is my favorite one to watch.” Albani, and fellow digital media and journalism student Taylor DePaolo-Daily ’26, will be working as Olympic Games production interns out of the NBC Sports studios in Stamford, Connecticut.
Albani graduated with a double major in digital media and journalism and computer science and says she enjoys working behind the scenes in sports broadcasting. “I am hoping to learn what exactly goes into putting on a sports program of this caliber,” she says. “I really want to soak up as much knowledge as I can.” Albani’s experience with UHart’s mobile sports production studio to broadcast UHart athletic events gave her valuable hands-on experience with sports production. “I was able to familiarize myself with the equipment that is commonly used in sports broadcasts,” she says, and credits the School of Communication’s Sports Production course with helping her to solidify that knowledge.
“I think my work with the Student Television Network (STN-2) also contributed to my acceptance into the NBC Sports internship program,” says Albani, who worked at UHart’s student-run TV network for three years—two of those years as a senior producer. “My experience at STN helped me better understand how to construct a show and collaborate with different studio departments. I served in a few different positions at STN, and I feel it helped me sharpen my writing and video editing skills which gave me the confidence to apply to the NBC Sports internship.”
Albani says she appreciates the help and guidance she received from the School of Communication’s Associate Professor Susan Cardillo during the internship application process. “She truly cares about assisting students and preparing them for their careers. She is unwavering in her support once you prove yourself to be a dedicated student. She has been a huge advocate for me, not just in acquiring the NBC internship, but in other possible career opportunities.” Albani says that may include sports documentary production and behind the scenes work in film and TV. “There is also a part of me that is fascinated with the marketing and PR aspects of the entertainment industry, so I’d love the opportunity to dive into that as well,” she says.
Albani’s advice to incoming UHart students is to attend the Club Fair in the fall to find extracurricular activities on campus that appeal to their interests, or that they may enjoy. “This has definitely been a game changer for me and my college experience,” she says. “Also, do your best to be a student that professors want to endorse. Leaving a good impression on faculty is so important and could be the determining factor in potential job opportunities.”
Albani Hunt ’24, College of Arts and SciencesMy experience at STN helped me better understand how to construct a show and collaborate with different studio departments. It helped me sharpen my writing and video editing skills which gave me the confidence to apply to the NBC Sports internship.