Senior Britanni Johnson didn’t have time for a boring internship where she only shredded paper and answered phones, so she managed to acquire an internship at the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee. With past experience working a lead role in the video game Borderlands, the political science major says she is keeping her options open.
How did you find out about the internship?
“Well, at the time, I knew I needed to be looking for [an} internship before I graduated, however I did not want an internship where I would be shredding papers all day, so I was keeping an eye out for something different. I found out about it when I watched a special about the volunteer manager, Amanda Whitelaw, on the news one night, I was so blown away about how young Amanda was when she started working on Super Bowl XLIII. How she was able to take on such a big role at a young age and is now asked to work on other Super Bowls as [a] result. So after the story aired, I called up the Fort Worth office and asked if there were any more internship opportunities available. At first they didn’t know if they were even going to take on part-time interns. However, after a few weeks and interviews, I got a phone call asking if I wanted to be an intern.”
What was the most exciting thing you did while participating in the internship?
“Helping putting together the Sting concert, trying to fulfill Sting’s requests, driving around DFW for three days trying to find three dozen black hand towels. He really wanted those hand towels. And ultimately meeting all the interesting, influential people that have to do with the host committee like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Bill Lively, Roger Staubach, Jerry Jones and family.”
Borderlands (video game) How did you get involved with that?
“One day sophomore year I went to an audition at SMU Guildhall, and I had no idea what it was for. After auditioning, I got a phone call to come to Gearbox Software’s office in Plano for a second audition. Five auditions later I get a phone call saying I got the part as a lead role, Guardian Angel, in the video game Borderlands. So, I spent a large part of sophomore year at Gearbox Software developing this character and filming for the game. Even with interning at the Super Bowl, this would have to be my most exciting point in my life just because I got to see behind the scenes of how a video game was made, and the decision making process, then see the game be so successful and sell 3 million units worldwide.”
Do either of these ventures relate to your major?
“Well, Borderlands doesn’t, however the Super Bowl Host Committee does in part because of the contract and community outreach work that I do.”
Do you plan on pursuing a career in the video game industry?
“A career in the video game industry would be very interesting and it’s one of the ones at the top of my list. I guess you could say I’m a jack of all trades, but a master of none. I want to do it all, and that’s how I’ve been since as far as I can remember. I would love to pursue a career as a producer in the video game industry, but I spread myself thin and want to do so many things in life. I haven’t really concentrated on one thing that I absolutely love. So right now I’m looking at the video game industry, intelligence or energy policy.”
