Harold Owens did not start out in life knowing he wanted to work in media. Growing up in a rough neighborhood, then joining the military, it took Hal a lot of time before he landed at Mississippi College, studying public relations. "What led me to being the person I am today is understanding and discovering who I am," Hal remarked. "It took a lot of trail and error. I just decided one day to be the best I can be. I joined the military and I use those core values to determine how I live my life."
As part of the program at Mississippi College, Hal came to MPB for a summer internship with the Department of Communications, working closely with digital staff on a wide variety of projects. When it was time for him to pick a place to intern, he knew that MPB was where he wanted to be. "What made me interested in MPB is by growing up and watching the programs like Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street," Hal said. "I like the fact that people are educated and the programming is not totally about entertainment."
While working with MPB, Hal spent a great deal of time writing, one of the most important aspects of any job in communications. He also spent time taking photos, attending meetings and assisting on a number of different projects.
According to Hal, the most impactful was working with the students who attended MPB's summer media workshop, the Can I Kick It? Youth Media Summit. "I am a strong believer in the education of younger people," said Hal, "and it was amazing to be a part of a positive movement to allow them to tell their story." He spent time interviewing the students, collecting their adventures in blog posts and documenting their days through photography. He even tagged along on their field trip to Delta State University and the Grammy Museum in north Mississippi.
When reflecting back on the weeks he spent working at MPB, Hal noted that the internship "taught me how to work with others and how important it is to build relationships and think of other team members."
In addition to the experience of working in an office and professional environment, Hal gained confidence and a new perspective on his future career. "I found what I needed to go the extra mile and I was encouraged to be my best. I truly was able to find my voice, strengths and weaknesses. The staff members really went out of their way to see that I was comfortable and learned the ropes."
MPB is proud to offer internships (with college credit) to qualifying students in a variety of disciplines, including radio, news, television and communications. Our programs are designed to give students exposure to the media industry, with time spent doing a variety of tasks and direct guidance from a mentor in their chosen field. For more information on internship programs, visit MPB's internship website.
