Jenna Lifshen, a junior sports journalism major at the University of Kentucky, has accepted a competitive internship position with NBC Sports for the summer of 2026, according to UKNow. The position places her among an elite group of interns selected by the national sports broadcasting network.

The School of Journalism and Media's sports journalism program has established itself as a competitive training ground, and Lifshen's selection underscores the quality of education provided at the University of Kentucky. Lifshen faced an intensive hiring process that included five rounds of interviews with NBC employees, ultimately emerging as one of only three interns selected nationwide for the position.

The internship, based at NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, will divide Lifshen's time between two departments. She will spend five weeks with NBC's Sports Editorial desk and another five weeks with the network's research desk supporting online content creation. The arrangement mirrors NBC's typical sports internship structure, which frequently places interns in multiple divisions to broaden their experience.

Lifshen discovered the opportunity through Handshake, a job board designed for college students seeking internship and employment positions. Initially hesitant about applying, she was encouraged by Kakie Urch, Ph.D., an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Media, to pursue not only NBC but also other national sports networks. That guidance proved pivotal in her career trajectory.

The Austin, Texas, native chose the University of Kentucky specifically for its sports journalism program. Her path to the internship began at the Kentucky Kernel, the independent student newspaper founded in 1908, where she developed her professional skills covering less-prominent athletic programs. She started her freshman year covering the swimming team, a beat she embraced for its storytelling potential.

"I owe the Kernel everything," Lifshen said about her experience with the student newspaper, crediting it with providing the vital experience necessary for her internship success. Her emphasis on highlighting underreported athletic narratives shaped her approach to journalism, particularly in smaller sports like swimming and track.

After her swim coverage assignment, Lifshen expanded her beats to include women's basketball and eventually men's basketball and football as she advanced to assistant sports editor. Those expanded responsibilities and bylines likely strengthened her application to NBC.

Lifshen will return to campus in August to begin her senior year and assume the role of sports editor for the Kentucky Kernel. Following her graduation in the spring of 2027, she said she intends to pursue a career with a national media outlet while continuing to challenge conventional narratives about sports and athletes.