The connection between USC Annenberg and Spotify started in May 2019, when a cohort of undergraduate went to New York City as part of the Maymester program and had the opportunity to visit Spotify’s offices. “We had data from our students to suggest Spotify was a company of deep interest to them, and Spotify was looking to ramp up a more diverse pipeline, so this seemed like a natural partnership,” said Suzanne Alcantara, assistant dean of student affairs and director of career development.

The partnership between Spotify and the journalism school allowed for both internship and fellowship opportunities that were aimed at promoting inclusion and innovation in podcasting. Pestana was one of five USC Annenberg students selected for a 10-week summer internship program with Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming service. It was really exciting, putting the lessons that I’ve learned from journalism school into action and seeing how prepared Annenberg has made me for the real world.” It was cool just being a fly on the wall. “They had their microphones on and were asking, ‘Can you hear me, does this sound good?’ Watching them read from the script and see how the producer would keep them on pace, was amazing. “It was so fun, honestly, watching them go through the script and be like, ‘Ugh, I said that wrong, I need to go back,’” she said. She, along with the engineer and the producer, watched and listened to Gimlet founder Alex Bloomberg in conversation with scientist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Sitting on her porch, coffee by her side, Pestana logged into a Zoom session where the Spotify trailer for the How to Save a Planet podcast was being recorded.

It was early July and Fiona Pestana was living in one of the large two-story houses near the University Park campus with nine other roommates. Global Communication (MA) / Global Media (MSc).

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