Internship spotlight: Bismah Mughal



Bismah Mughal, a 2nd year Master of Journalism student, recently completed a 14-week internship with CBC News in Calgary.

In this Q&A, Bismah shares her internship experience working with multiple media platforms, how it pushed her to grow as a storyteller, and helped her fall in love with audio storytelling.

Bismah Mughal


Tell us about the internship at CBC News in Calgary.

The internship was a whirlwind of hands-on experience across different media platforms—radio, television, TikTok, and photography. I dove into streeters, striking up conversations with strangers, and often carried hefty cameras around the city on my own.

I got the chance to create a TikTok that turned serious topics into something engaging and relatable, and I even produced a full TV news package. The experience pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, develop my storytelling skills, and embrace every challenge that came my way.

Can you tell us how you chose this internship?

Initially, I was hesitant about working in a local newsroom, but choosing this internship turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Covering local stories is a completely different ball game, and the focused attention and thorough training I received were invaluable.

“Powerful stories often lie beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.”
Intern at CBC News Calgary

While I had experience with global political issues and broader topics, diving into the heart of a city and understanding the deep-seated challenges of a smaller community was eye-opening.

Learning how people think, how things function locally, and uncovering stories that aren’t immediately obvious—those hidden behind the everyday mundane—became a crucial skill I developed at CBC Calgary. This experience taught me that powerful stories often lie just beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.

What did you learn at the internship?

I absolutely loved my time at CBC Calgary. Every person I met was genuinely committed to helping me learn and grow, consistently pushing me out of my comfort zone while making me feel like a valued member of the newsroom.

I sharpened my visual storytelling skills and had the chance to cover stories independently, often carrying heavy camera equipment solo. I also learned about the technical side of TikToks and discovered just how challenging it is to be on camera—especially when some people make it seem so effortless.

My passion for visuals has always been strong, so I wasn’t surprised by how much I enjoyed that part. But what took me by surprise was how much I fell in love with the world of audio. Working with the incredible teams behind Calgary Eyeopener, The Homestretch, and Alberta at Noon truly opened my eyes to the magic of radio.

Special shoutout to Tracy Johnson, Josh Pagé, Julian Brown, Judy Aldous, Heather Moriarty, Paul Haavardsrud, Carla Turner, and Jim Brown for always hyping me up, giving me space to grow, and trusting me to contribute to the team.

How did you hear about it? What guidance did you receive from the Master of Journalism program?

I heard about the internship through my internship advisor, Kathryn Gretsinger. Kathryn was an incredible support system throughout this journey. Her pride in our achievements mirrors that of a parent, always encouraging us to strive for excellence.

Kathryn played a pivotal role in preparing us for the internship and ensured that we were fully equipped to make the school proud. Her guidance and belief in our potential made a world of difference.


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