(Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of stories about students in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications completing summer internships in 2026.)
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Classes and on-campus clubs have provided a hint at a potential career and some experience for Jocelyn Bilker, and this summer she’s getting an even better look at what might be ahead.
Bilker, a rising senior from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, is completing an internship at NBC News’s national bureau in Washington, D.C., supporting “Hallie Jackson NOW.”
She’s one of 10 interns at the bureau, and her internship runs until Aug. 7.
Bilker aspires to an on-air TV career herself. It’s a dream that was inspired in part by her late grandmother.
“Some of my earliest most vivid memories — I was probably 5 years old — are of curling up on the couch with her every night and we would watch the news,” Bilker said. “Even though I might not have understood the news, I remember asking why we watched those people every night. What she said has stayed with me: ‘Because people trust them.’”
Bilker aspires to be one of those trusted voices, and she’s using a logical, organized approach to reach that goal.
So far, that has included a variety of on-campus media experiences — Penn State Network Television (PSN-TV), CommAgency, CommRadio and The Daily Collegian. She’s also an editorial intern for the Penn State College of Engineering.
The variety of experiences have been helpful for the Schreyer Scholar, who leans into opportunities with gusto. She started her Penn State career as a meteorology major and switched to communications when she realized how much she enjoyed her brief moments on camera.
She expected a learning curve during this summer’s internship, and has embraced the opportunity to learn about NBC’s approaches and technologies — and the big difference between going live with a student-produced show and something done at the national level.
Her daily office schedule includes team meetings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. to check headlines and plan the show’s rundown. Impromptu updates happen almost all the time as well.
“Communication is so important, because our show is on for two hours and if news breaks during that time, everything changes. All the planning leading up to that has to be solid, so it’s easier to change,” Bilker said. “It’s happened a few times in my first couple of weeks already, and it’s impressive to see how professionals go about their work. It’s exciting to be part of that.”
Determination and hard work have helped Bilker find opportunities, on campus and off, and thrive in them. Even during this internship, she’s building confidence and professional strength.
With an encouraging environment, one with high expectations and standards, Bilker has already pitched ideas that have become part of show segments. Plus, she appreciates the support from the show’s namesake host as well as NBCUniversal producers on site, and producers and executives in New York City.
With the internship based in the nation’s capital and America250 celebrations and commemorations happening daily, Bilker anticipates more opportunities as the internship progresses. Whether it’s first-time visits to locations or repeated chances to see longtime reporters and anchors at work, she’s asking questions and watching closely to learn as much as possible.
“I’ve learned a lot in the classroom at Penn State, it’s been a super experience,” she said. “Something like this just adds more. I was with an NBC team recently when a reporter conducted an interview near the White House and to see him and his producer work together, to exchange ideas and adapt was impressive. They have so much experience that they adapted as things changed and stayed cool under pressure. You can learn a lot from seeing that happen, too.”