Back-to-back internships with CNN and Warner Bros. Discovery have left Victoria Shore with a wealth of empowering experience

By Caleb McDairmant

Eight months ago, Victoria Shore applied to five internships each day, unsure of what the outcome would be. She had applied to and was accepted by the Missouri School of Journalism’s New York program through the Global Programs office. Acceptance into the program required securing her own internship, otherwise, she would not be able to participate and work in New York.

“My initial reasons for applying to the New York program were born out of a desire to gain real world experience at a company that could translate to other working experience down the road,” Shore said. “I’ve always wondered if I might like to live in New York, so this also served as a great trial run of sorts to see how I’d like to be in the city.”

She spent late nights applying. The process was extensive with multiple interviews. Finally, she received a call. A Warner Bros. Discovery recruiter offered her a social media internship at CNN Underscored. Her diligence and hard work had paid off. 

“CNN Underscored is the newest and fastest-growing department within CNN,” Shore said. “It’s a lot of product reviews and focusing on retail. I was immersed in social media management, going to brand events and content creation. I loved being in New York and interacting with brands in person. I got to see brands I’d heard of before, discover new brands and worked with fantastic people.”

Shore’s approach to achieving her goals, her dedication, supportive friends, family and Missouri faculty all led to her pivotal role at CNN Underscored, where she had a part in creating content that would reach thousands.

“I think having really short-term goals is perfectly acceptable and they will probably amount to a long-term goal you didn’t know you had but have suddenly accomplished,” Shore said. “Eight months ago, I applied to five internships every day and I had no idea what that would result in. But, because I took those baby steps and trusted myself, something really cool occurred.”

It was a surreal feeling for Shore as she arrived in New York City for orientation day. She wanted to make a good impression. She wanted to make her younger self proud.

“When I show up to my first day of the internship, maybe I’m nervous, maybe I don’t know what to anticipate,” Shore said. “But I know that whatever they task me with I am going to show up for myself and I’m going to show up for them. I will not waste the opportunity because I might never get to interact with these people again. The person I’m talking to might never hear from me again. Showing up for yourself is the least you can do when you’ve worked so hard to get somewhere. You’re stepping into the spotlight. Do not waste it.”

Shore thinks of social media as her personal playground, where she is free to be creative in a constantly moving and changing space.

“Social media is odd because you’re scheduling content and it posts. Suddenly, thousands of people are liking the post. You’re getting tens or hundreds of thousands of views, and you’re just hoping it’s reaching the right audience and communicating the right message,” Shore said. “When it lands the way you want it to, it’s a super rewarding feeling.”

At CNN, Shore’s creative abilities were limited by news guidelines and focus. With her time in New York City coming to an end, she received a second call from Warner Bros. Discovery. This time it was an offer to work for Turner and TBS Networks as an entertainment marketing and social media intern over the summer.

Shore left the hustle of New York City for the Warner Bros. Techwood campus in Atlanta. The move provided her with an opportunity to find better balance between her professional and personal life.  

“I definitely needed more of a balance between the chaos of the city and the calm that I like to find as a normal person,” Shore said. “Coming to Atlanta and experiencing the culture, diversity and all the activities the city has to offer, but also finding that rhythm of my personal life outside of work, has been really nice and refreshing.”

Shore has found that balance amidst a variety of new responsibilities and experiences. Now, she creates memorable social media experiences for fans of American Dad, Impractical Jokers and other shows on TBS Network. 

Shore returns to Missouri’s campus this Fall, empowered by the advice she’s received and the experience she’s gained. 

“I feel when you’re a young person in a temporary role, like an internship, you might feel like you’re there to help accomplish the status quo. But you bring a new perspective, especially as a younger person in social media who is native to those platforms, understands pop culture and what’s relevant,” Shore said. “I never would have thought I would work for Warner Bros. Discovery two semesters in a row. Don’t count yourself out, because if you don’t give yourself a chance, you’ll never know what will come out of it.”

Updated: August 26, 2024