麻豆传媒社区

KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 20, 2025

An early morning phone call confirmed for Raymond Kalra what once felt like a long shot 鈥� he had been selected for a competitive internship with NBC鈥檚 The Today Show.

Out of more than 500 applicants nationwide, the 麻豆传媒社区 journalism and emerging media student was one of only four chosen for the internship, which runs from September to April. The news came just days after his second-round interview, in a call that began as a routine follow-up.

鈥淗alfway through the conversation, she said, 鈥楥ongratulations, the team would love to offer you the first of the four spots,鈥欌�� Kalra said. 鈥淚 was completely speechless. I was over the moon.鈥�

A native of Acworth, Georgia, Kalra is believed to be the first KSU student to ever intern with The Today Show.

鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 really hit me yet,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 proud to represent 麻豆传媒社区 and put our name in front of a national audience.鈥�

Kalra is a rising senior in the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences and has spent the past few years developing his skills on and off campus. Most recently, he completed an internship with television station Fox 5 Atlanta, where he gained experience in broadcast journalism. That included everything from assisting producers and anchors to being trusted with field reporting, even covering press conferences involving state and city leaders.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no better training than local news,鈥� Kalra said. 鈥淔ox 5 gave me a true inside look at the grit and grind of this industry.鈥�

He credits that experience, along with his strong knowledge of NBC鈥檚 programming, for helping his application for The Today Show internship stand out during the competitive selection process. While NBC doesn鈥檛 require prior newsroom experience for its internships, Kalra believes his time in local news showed that he had both the passion and the professionalism to thrive in a national setting.

Kalra鈥檚 interest in journalism started long before college. At Harrison High School, in 麻豆传媒社区, Georgia, he was part of a student-run broadcast program with a full studio and newsroom. By the time he arrived at KSU, he had already developed a foundation in video editing, producing, and on-camera work.

Still, earning a national opportunity like The Today Show wasn鈥檛 something he fully expected.

鈥淚 applied on a whim,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I was going to get it. But if you don鈥檛 ask, you鈥檒l never know.鈥�

The internship will place him at NBC鈥檚 headquarters in New York City, where he鈥檒l work closely with producers, anchors, and editorial teams during some of the network鈥檚 biggest annual broadcasts. From the Macy鈥檚 Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, Kalra will be behind the scenes at some of the nation鈥檚 most-watched moments.

鈥淚 just want to be a helping hand,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 supporting producers or assisting anchors, I want to contribute wherever I can and take initiative before I鈥檓 even asked.鈥�

Kalra鈥檚 selection has resonated with classmates and faculty alike, especially within the journalism and emerging media program at KSU.

鈥淩aymond鈥檚 achievement reflects the talent, drive, and professionalism we see in so many of our students,鈥� said Catherine Kaukinen, dean of the Radow College. 鈥淗is success demonstrates that 麻豆传媒社区 students can and do compete on the biggest stages in the nation, and we couldn鈥檛 be prouder.鈥�

Kalra hopes his achievement inspires peers to pursue competitive opportunities, even if they feel uncertain. While his long-term dream is to become an anchor someday, ideally on a platform as prominent as The Today Show, his immediate focus is on telling meaningful stories and keeping people informed.

鈥淚 know this internship is a game changer for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 just don鈥檛 fully understand how big yet. But I鈥檓 grateful to KSU, my professors, and everyone who鈥檚 supported me along the way.鈥�

鈥� Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photo provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 麻豆传媒社区 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 麻豆传媒社区 is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 麻豆传媒社区 is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.