Lily’s Final Thoughts: Internship with The Andie Summers Show

This semester, I was given the incredible opportunity to intern on The Andie Summers Show. I can’t believe my time with the show is coming to an end, this experience taught me SO much in such a short amount of time and I never want it to end!. Not only did I learn more about radio and broadcasting, but I also learned a lot about myself. For my final blog post, I wanted to reflect on my key takeaways from this internship and everything it has given me this semester!

Going into this internship, I truly had no idea what to expect. I love trying new things, so I was excited for the opportunity, but like any new experience, it also came with some nerves. It’s easy to think that our expectations accurately reflect what’s to come, but I quickly learned that you never really know what is to come until you jump right in! 

From the moment I walked into the station for the first time, I realized how little I actually knew about what the experience would involve. This taught me the importance of keeping an open mind and being ready for anything, not just in internships, but in life in general. Letting go of expectations allowed me to fully enjoy the experience and take advantage of every opportunity. Looking back, I wish I could tell myself not to worry so much and expect to know everything at once, and to instead trust the process, because the experience ended up exceeding every expectation I had and taught me more than I ever expected!

Throughout my internship, I was asked to do things that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. While that can be intimidating, I realized that growth truly happens when you put yourself in new situations. By saying “yes” to every opportunity, I experienced some of the most fun, meaningful, and eye-opening moments that I never could have anticipated!

One of the highlights was attending an incredible event hosted by 92.5 XTU Philadelphia’s Country Station that supported breast cancer survivors. It was an extremely emotional and meaningful experience, made even more memorable by an amazing performance from Jackson Dean. I also had the opportunity to sit in on business meetings, which showed me just how much planning and coordination go into every detail of a radio show. Additionally, I listened in on interviews conducted in Tennessee with country stars during the CMAs and took detailed notes, giving me valuable insight into interviewing, communication, and radio production.

None of these experiences would have happened if I hadn’t said yes. This internship showed me how many opportunities are available if you are willing to put yourself out there and try something completely new. Being open and willing to try new things truly makes all the difference.

As a Communications major at Immaculata University, I already knew communications was a broad field, but this internship showed me just how complex it really is. Having hands-on experience allowed me to see communications in action in ways I had never seen before.

I learned how to speak on air, collaborate with others, and contribute to a show that sounds effortless but actually requires extensive planning and preparation behind the scenes. Radio turned out to be the perfect example of real-world communication as it is conversational, fast-paced, and dynamic. Most of my experience with communications before this internship focused on speeches and presentations, so seeing it applied in a conversational and creative format was incredibly eye-opening and so much fun!

I’ve often been asked what my plans are after graduation, and the honest answer has always been that I’m not entirely sure. While I still don’t have everything figured out, this internship opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. I gained a real understanding of what working in radio and broadcasting is like, and I realized how much I genuinely enjoy it.

I learned more about what excites me in a professional setting: writing, speaking on air, listening to others, and being part of creative conversations and experiences. I’ve always loved to talk, connect with people, and tell stories, and this experience helped me see how those passions can translate into a career.

As a college athlete, I’ve always understood the value of teamwork. However, this internship showed me just how crucial a strong team is in a professional setting, especially in radio. The team behind The Andie Summers Show is exactly what you hope for in a work environment.

Seeing how each person plays a specific role and how those roles come together to create a seamless, engaging show was amazing. The way the team communicates, builds off one another, and maintains a fun yet professional atmosphere truly demonstrates how important collaboration is. It reinforced for me that a great team doesn’t just make work easier, it makes it more enjoyable, productive, and successful, and The Andie Summers Show is a perfect example of that!

Thank you!

I just want to take a second to thank the incredible team behind the show: Andie, Jeff, Donnie, and Shannon for making this internship one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. There was never a day that I left the station without having laughed, had the funniest stories to share, and learned something new. Every day at the station was full of opportunities and learning experiences, which I will forever be grateful for. Thank you the Andie Summers Show, and everyone at 92.5 XTU, for giving me this experience and memories that I will never forget!