Internship coordinator abandoned spotlight to help students get in it

In college, Nagatha Tonkins, director of internships and external relations for the School of Communications, said she was at a disadvantage. She did not know how to iron or wash clothes very well, becayuse her mother would always do those tasks for her, encouraging her daughter to read or do homework.

Now, she works to help college students put their best foot forward, as her mother did for her.

She was uncertain about what she wanted to study in her undergraduate years at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, but settled on communications. With her current career based around internships, it is only fitting that Tonkins received her first job from one. As an undergraduate, Tonkins interned with WLOE-FM, a radio station in Eden. She was hired after her internship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in speech and mass communication.

This decision eventually led to a series of journalistic achievements, including the success of hundreds of Elon interns.

A passion to serve

As a reporter, Tonkins chose stories that could help people. She was the first consumer advocacy reporter in the High Point market. She not only helped her viewers, but also people inside the newsroom.

She was assigned to work with interns at the station, and it was then that she discovered she loved working with students.

“They needed more information, more guidance,” Tonkins said.

Tonkins attributed this love of assisting others to her upbringing. She said her parents were always helping people, and she adopted that trait from them.

Her mother was a trained nurse, but never practiced because she focused on doing all that she could for her family.

Her family was also focused on education.

It was Tonkins’ mother who pushed her to get her graduate degree. With that encouragement, Tonkins returned to her alma mater to earn a master’s degree in educational media.

During her studies, Tonkins was a newscaster for WGHP-TV and a graduate student simultaneously.

“If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to do it,” she said.

A typical day for Tonkins included shooting and writing a story, then running to her night classes. In addition, she had a daughter and husband waiting for her at home.

During her graduate years, Tonkins also secured an intern position at a company that had no internship program.

“Don’t accept the no,” she said. “Be able to sell your skills and you will be able to create your own opportunities.”

Tonkins was the first intern at the American Express corporate training department because she got her foot in the door.

As a result, her reporting career ended in 1985. The decision came down to the fact that her love of students outweighed her love of reporting.

“There’s more joy for me in teaching,” she said.

From television to the classroom

In 1986, Tonkins began teaching journalism at North Carolina A & T. A year later, she also became the internship director.

“Internships are wonderful because it enhances the class room instruction,” she said. “There is enthusiasm and excitement in the end, no matter what the outcome.”

During her 22 years at North Carolina A & T, she developed numerous courses and programs, including the National Association of Black Journalists’ Student Broadcast Short Course. This annual short course opportunity to network, learn from the country’s top journalists and produce a television newscast.