Day in the life of a CBC radio intern
Kuwarjeet Singh Arora is a fourth-year Journalism student and a full-time radio and audio intern at CBC radio. He is also an award-winning multimedia journalist whose work has been featured in Canada's National Observer, Toronto Star, Baaz News, The Bramptonist, Talk Media, CanCulture Magazine, Journalism at The Creative School, Illuminate Universe and The Downsview Advocate.
7:00 a.m.: Wake up & planning my commute
I wake up around 7 a.m. and I get things ready for the upcoming day. Since I commute from Brampton and my internship hours are all over the place, I have to plan everything accordingly. My mornings include checking my email, planning out the day, and getting ready to head out to the office. The time I wake up varies as there are some days I have night shifts and I sleep in to stay up all night. The news cycles at CBC are around the clock so I plan my schedule around the shift I’m working.
9:00 a.m.: Breakfast & get ready for work
I usually eat breakfast, which includes chaa (tea) with a bagel or bread before getting ready. After breakfast, I wear my work clothes, tie my turban and fix my beard ready to go to work. At this time, I am also checking if I have everything I need, including my access fob for the CBC office, my wallet which should have my Presto (most of the time), my phone and my watch.
Singh commutes from Brampton to Toronto for his internship at CBC. Courtesy of Singh
10:00 a.m.: Leaving for work
I leave for work and usually take the 10:46 a.m. Kitchener Line GO train from Brampton GO to Union Station. I arrive at Union around 11:30 a.m, grab a coffee and then walk to the CBC which is just steps away from the station.
Kuwarjeet Singh is a fourth-year student and current intern at CBC radio. Courtesy of Singh
12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Arriving at work and lunch
I am currently working at a CBC radio show called The World This Hour, where we give hourly updates on current events happening around the world. Since I am a radio and audio intern, my work usually involves looking at iNews, editing and mixing audio and helping with the technical side of things when we go on air right at the hour. I also have my own desk area to work at where I complete tasks given to me by the senior producer! About halfway through the day, I take my lunch break and then head back to finish the rest of the day.
CBC internships help journalism students gain industry experience prior to graduation. Courtesy of Singh
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Wrapping up and commuting home
Usually by this time I wrap up by cleaning my desk and logging off my computer. After the last show, I leave the CBC office around 8:15 p.m. and walk to Union Station to catch the 8:34 Kitchener Line train back to Brampton. I arrive at Brampton GO around 9:20 and drive 15 minutes back to my house. When I get home, I have dinner, relax for a bit and then catch up on a bit of my extracurricular work.
Singh is in his final year of the Journalism program at The Creative School. Courtesy of Singh
11:30 p.m.: Finishing up some work
I’m currently doing my internship full time, so I am not taking any classes for the first half of the semester. Around this time, I tend to work on my freelance gigs and part-time jobs that I do when I have some spare time. I am also part of TMU Journalism Course Union as a fourth-year representative and the outreach assistant for MetTV. On some days, I don’t have much work to do so I’m able to sleep earlier.
12:30 a.m: Time to sleep!
In order to survive my packed schedule, I tend to end my day and fall asleep between 12:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. If I am not able to fall asleep right away, I’ll scroll through Instagram, Twitter or listen to music and watch Netflix. Lastly, I set up my alarm, schedule my calendar for the following day and go to sleep. 
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.