On The Road To Success: Jasmyn Durham
I first met Jasmyn Durham in 2009 when First Forecast Mornings (FFM) had only been on the air a few months. She was at the start of a three year internship with WWJ-TV. This was no ordinary appointment.
Jasmyn fought hard to be at CBS. The Emma Bowen Foundation is a special scholarship program that enables only a select group of minorities to compete for paid internships with partner corporations. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 to participate. Jasmyn was one of three candidates that qualified to interview with us. WWJ-TV and CW50 Community Affairs Director Kris Kelly said she chose Jasmyn based on her "bubbly personality and eagerness to learn".
Jasmyn worked in community affairs that first summer. She shadowed me on a couple of stories I covered for FFM and the web. Gaining experience, Jasmyn would write her version of the story, often publishing her perspective on CW50's web site. So, in effect, this was the start of her "professional" career as a reporter.
I didn't see much of Jasmyn in the summer of 2010. She wanted to be well rounded in her internship, so she worked in our digital media department and picked up more web and community affairs experience.
Now a senior at Howard University, Jasmyn just finished the final leg of her summer internship working on FFM. Despite the early start time, Jasmyn was always available to write stories for our CBS Detroit.com web block. "I never felt like the intern. I always felt like I was part of the family." Senior Producer Tim French described Jasmyn's dedication in three words: "She's a star!"
We said goodbye to Jasmyn on air last week. She's headed back to Washington DC to finish her last year of school. The shy, soft spoken young lady I met two years ago has taken on many new leadership roles; Jasmyn balances education and maintaining her presidency with the Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the nation's oldest black sorority.
This summers internship with WWJ-TV has left her wanting more. She's exploring the possibility of grad school, teaching communications and studying entertainment law.
During our many conversations, Jasmyn said she wasn't giving up the idea of on camera work, her Mom's encouraging her! Jasmyn hopes to gain more journalism experience in DC before her graduation in June.
Congratulations on your accomplishments Jasmyn! More to come!
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