Randolph-Macon College student Quinton Mayo ’19 is setting his sights on a career that will tap into his love for sports and media.

“I want to be a sports radio and television personality,” says the communication studies major and journalism minor confidently. “I also want to be an entrepreneur and own a sports network.”

The Waldorf, Maryland native is taking steps to reach those goals, and a recent internship at CBS 6 in Richmond, Virginia gave him the opportunity to experience the day-to-day workings of a busy television station.

Getting The Edge
Mayo heard about the internship through RMC Communication Studies Professor Ruth Beerman. He worked with Jessica Majkowycz, assistant director of employer relations & internships for The Edge, RMC’s four-year career preparation program, to create a résumé and cover letter.

“I worked closely with Professor Beerman throughout the internship application process,” says Mayo. “We did several mock interviews, and she helped me polish my dialogue techniques.”

Beerman says, “Quinton’s enthusiasm and success in my public speaking class impressed me. In class, he mentioned creating his own podcast and his interest in journalism. When I saw the CBS 6 opportunity, I immediately thought of Quinton and encouraged him to apply. I enjoy helping students find opportunities to hone their skills in internships.”

Learning from the Best
Mayo’s days at the station were fast-paced and challenging. He attended daily editorial meetings; shadowed reporters and sports anchors; worked the assignment desk on weekends; and fielded phone calls. Lauren Mackey, executive producer for CBS 6, served as his internship mentor.

“You get out of an internship what you put into it—and Quinton really is a go-getter,” she says.  “I was impressed by him from the beginning because of his efforts to reach out to me, more than once, to make sure I knew how much he wanted the internship. It’s a lesson other interested interns should take away: Don’t just submit a résumé and wait for someone to contact you. Make sure you do something that sets you apart.”

Mackey says that CBS’s many reporters, producers and managers are always willing to take interns under their wing and provide feedback.

“For example, Quinton often worked with reporter Jake Burns, who mentored him. Quinton helped Jake complete his daily assignment, which included writing, shooting and turning a story for our 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts.”

Good Advice
“Working alongside Jake was absolutely incredible,” says Mayo, a former member of the Yellow Jacket football team. “We both played college football, and we share a love for sports. Because of that, we clicked instantly. He advised me to work hard and chase my dreams, and he shared tips on interview techniques. I incorporated his advice in an interview I did for my sports-analysis website, Mayo Please, and the story received more than 600 hits in two days. I relished the opportunity to learn from Jake and others who are successful in media careers.” 

On campus, Mayo is a sports writer for the Yellow Jacket student newspaper and a Yellow Jacket baseball play-by-play and color commentator. He also hosts a sports podcast, Uncapped, in which he provides commentary and analysis on a variety of sports videos.

“The best part about being a Yellow Jacket is being surrounded by people who care about your future,” he says. “The support system is terrific, and being surrounded by like-minded students, eager to succeed, allows for constructive competition as well as seamless collaborations.”