HWS News
15 June 2020 Katchis '19 Interns for Good Morning America
As a production intern for ABC's Good Morning America, Nicole Katchis '19 appeared on the morning show during a segment on how interns can stand out during their summer opportunities.
It's a feat Katchis already accomplished early this summer when she was sent into the field to secure a quote for a story on Pastor Jesse Duplantis $54 million private jet scandal and instead scored a game-changing full interview with the controversial figure that aired on the next show.
"When I watched the segment live, I knew straight away that producing is exactly where I want to be," says Katchis, a double major in anthropology, and media and society. "The past 10 weeks have been some of the most educational, experimental and fun months of my life."
Katchis' days with ABC consist of helping producers bring the show to life, brainstorming stories, pitching them to the team, writing scripts and coordinating the details so segments can reach millions of viewers seamlessly. "I'm a team player who loves the energy and creativity of production in general," says Katchis, who travels with the production team to location shoots at least once a week. "Whether we're on the Jersey Shore checking beach-goers sunscreen for expiration dates or talking to Meghan Markle's makeup artist about his experience at the Royal Wedding, it's truly thrilling to collaborate with an exceptional team of talented and established people in the storytelling process."
At Good Morning America, Katchis has met show producer and fellow Heron Sarah Kunin '09, who often welcomes HWS students to the set during the Behind the Scenes NYC experience led by the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education.
Katchis finds herself using methods from Professor of Media and Society Linda Robertson's social documentary class daily. "My inspiration to pursue television production comes from my love for storytelling and its creative process," says Katchis, who last summer interned at CBS Interactive, where she oversaw 22 other interns, coordinated events and created recruitment content for social media. "The most important skills I honed at CBSi are my ability and capacity to multi-task, prioritize, organize and communicate effectively, which I implement every single day at GMA."
At Hobart and William Smith, Katchis raises funds for the mental health awareness organization, To Write Love On Her Arms. A member of the William Smith Swimming and Diving team through her sophomore year, Katchis studied abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, one of her most significant experiences to date.
"I can absolutely thank my amazing HWS professors and my semester abroad for fostering my ambition and perseverance."