Contact:
Mike Ferlazzo
570-577-3212
570-238-6266 (c)
mike.ferlazzo@bucknell.edu
LEWISBURG, Pa. (August 11, 2026) – When psychology major Kelly Byrne ’27 began her summer internship at Fox News in New York City, she relied on skills she had spent years developing — not just in the classroom, but in the pool. As a Division I swimmer, Byrne learned the value of preparation, discipline and time management, lessons that helped her navigate the fast-paced media industry.
Byrne’s path to Fox began with the Bucknell network. Through the Bucknell University Alumni Board’s mentorship program, she connected with alumni who helped her build relationships in the media industry and ultimately find an opportunity with Fox’s research team. There, she analyzed audience data to support teams across the company, including ad sales, programming and public relations.
One of her biggest projects was developing a presentation pitching a well-known national restaurant brand as a potential Fox advertiser. Presenting her team’s research and recommendations to Fox employees gave Byrne the chance to put her preparation into practice — just as she had done countless times before at swim meets.
“Swimming taught me that practice has value because it prepares you for the moment when it matters,” says Byrne, who is from Mount Kisco, N.Y. “I spent so much time practicing and rehearsing my presentation in the same way. I wanted to make sure I was ready.”
That preparation paid off, earning positive feedback from the Fox team and reinforcing the confidence Byrne had built through years of competition.
“I came in not knowing much about research, so the first few weeks were really about learning,” she says. “Now I have this valuable experience that I can translate into a career, which is really exciting.”
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Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications