By: Evan Spann, Features Writer

As of Sept. 25, The Maroon Tiger and Spelman College Alumna, Lore Harvin ‘23 works for leading entertainment and news company NBCUniversal as a member of the Page Program.

 

The NBCUniversal Page Program is a rotational early career development program that exposes talented cohorts to the media industry based in New York. It is designed for graduates to transition into many of the entry-level or early-career roles within the company. 

 

Members of the program, referred to as “Pages,” are assigned to three four-month-long rotations in business areas such as Public Relations, Production and Development, Marketing, Business Development, Ad Sales, and Digital.  

 

The first assignments are corporate roles that situate Pages within the company, preparing them with foundational knowledge to help them succeed in their future roles.

 

“As the program goes on, it becomes more flexible,” said Harvin.  “Right now, I work in corporate DEI, diversity, equity, and inclusion, where I assist in maintaining the employee resource groups at NBCU.”

 

The second and third assignments within the NBCU portfolio are chosen collaboratively between Pages and the program.  This is designed so they can practice networking and interviewing skills in an area of interest. 

 

Placements for Pages in their second and third assignments range from working on “Saturday Night Live” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” to “The Today Show” or “Late Night with Seth Myers.”

 

Additional duties for Harvin include giving tours of the Rockefeller Building and audience services for live studio productions and working a show once or twice weekly.  Expected to work six days a week, Pages are supported by peers, mentors, and company leaders.

 

In Nov. 2022, NBCUniversal visited Spelman College’s campus to present about early career opportunities. This is when Harvin attended their presentation and found out about the program.

 

“They came to campus, and I knew I wanted to apply and do it since then,” Harvin said.  “I applied to the program in the beginning of July of 2023 and had interviews around that time, too. I knew I wanted to start in September so I could have the summer to travel.”

 

Harvin’s introduction to media began with the success of her nationally recognized high school news program, “Tribe Talk,”  empowering the Charleston, South Carolina native.  

 

“Ever since then, I really enjoyed news and journalism,” Harvin said.  “One of the Black teachers, Ms. Page, wanted more Black students involved in the school’s news program, so I joined. We won awards for our school news, and I was an assistant news and politics producer, so that was my introduction to it,” she said.

 

Black students often attend HBCUs because their high schools are not diverse. Harvin empathized with this, her family also inspired her journey to Spelman College as well. 

 

“I knew that I wanted to go to an HBCU because two of my grandparents are HBCU alums, so education in my family has been something that is highly valued,” Harvin said.

 

Harvin was met with pushback on her “Choice to Change the World”, but Harvin remained persistent despite potential challenges.

 

“People tried to discourage me from going to Spelman because it is really expensive, but mostly because they do not have a media or journalism program,” Harvin said. “I was told I might need to transfer, or it might not be the right place for me.”

 

She majored in political science, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

 

Interested in history and politics since she was young, Harvin wanted to marry her passions with her bubbling ambition.  The Maroon Tiger became a place for her to explore this.  

 

“I ended up joining The Maroon Tiger. That was the first organization that I joined in the AUC, and I remember I was one of only two young women on the team. Me and my friend Zoë.  It was a great experience, though. I love MT,” Harvin said.

 

Harvin mostly managed social media and visual production. Outside of The Maroon Tiger, Harvin reaped the benefits of building bonds within her academic environment.

 

During the summer leading into senior year, Harvin landed an internship with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was an HBCU Fellow with the Thurgood Marshall Fund. She was a DEI Talent Development Intern under Nicole Britenriker in New York, assisting with early career programs such as the “Business & Basketball Training Program.” 

“I really enjoyed it because I got to work with great people from different HBCUs around the country who are interested in the same things as me,” Harvin said.  “I recommend anyone who is interested in sports to apply for the program.”

 

Harvin shed some light on the hectic graduation process for seniors.  Students have different post-graduation plans, whether preparing for graduate school or a gap year.  Harvin decided to apply for the Page Program and travel with her friends.

 

“I think that everyone is on a different journey.  It was definitely a privilege to have this summer traveling before going into the workplace,” said Harvin.  “Everyone was stressed out, and tension was high. You don’t know what you’re going to do, and graduation is super expensive, and it is just so much going on.  I was so relieved when it was over,” she said.

 

She continued, acknowledging the difficulty of leaving close connections.  “There are a lot of emotions because your friends are going to different places.  It’s really sad to tell your friends goodbye,” Harvin said.

 

The serene Paris, Rome, Sorento, Capri, Barcelona, and Madrid allowed Harvin to reflect on her time at Spelman.  

 

“It was a transformation for me,” Harvin said.  “I really learned how to come into my own as a black woman in America, and I will say that Spelman really teaches you how to advocate for yourself and that you do not have to second guess your place in the world.”

 

Harvin left three actionable items for students looking to reflect positively on their communities.

 

“Truly follow your passions and your dreams.  Take advantage of the opportunities around you.  Network with your peers because you can learn a lot of valuable information from people your own age,” Harvin said.

 

Copy Edited by: Elijah Megginson, Features Editor