For Gabriela Hevia ‘26, attending Moore College of Art & Design is about building connections and gaining confidence.
After earning an associate’s degree in digital video production from the Community College of Philadelphia, Hevia enrolled in Moore's Animation & Game Arts program to launch a career in animation and delve into all aspects of the entertainment industry.
“For an animation career, it might seem like I’m on a different path right now with video production. I just love that I can open two doors—I never thought I would have this opportunity,” she said. “Coming to the United States from Venezuela 10 years ago, I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to go to school or make a career out of anything.”
Hevia says her professors at Moore always encourage her to think big. She took their advice to heart when she started as a Production Assistant Intern with NBCUniversal for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
“My professors pushed me to accomplish things outside of my comfort zone and explore new sides of production,” she said. “I think it's important for someone to have some production knowledge even if you work in animation or any part of the entertainment industry.”
During her internship, which took place at NBCUniversal’s studios in Stamford, Connecticut, Hevia helped produce more than 100 daily video highlights and features from every Olympic sport. As a key figure in NBC’s “Highlights Factory,” Hevia’s clips were published across NBC’s platforms and social media channels.
Although the internship required Hevia to produce at a pace and quantity she’d never tried before, she knew the experience was the next best step for her. Her time as a youth soccer coach and a social media work-study student with Moore’s Marketing & Communications Department provided her with the foundational knowledge she needed to succeed.
“I specialized in finding the amazing moments, the peculiar moments, or the funny moments and creating clips that went viral on social media. I sat down every day and watched every sport from start to finish,” she said. “It’s important work for young people like me who spend so much time on social media.”
Outside of her daily work, the internship gave Hevia the chance to expand her personal and professional network. Working with other producers at NBC allowed her to refine her skills, develop relationships and learn industry-standard software.
“I had the opportunity to meet a lot of people from different backgrounds, which helped me create and become part of a community,” Hevia said. “My favorite part was the collaboration. College prepared me to be ready for anything and wear many different hats, but [my colleagues] took the time to teach me, too.”
Looking back, Hevia said she brought the determination she learned at Moore to her internship experience.
“The confidence I gained from my professors and the facility to explore careers at Moore is amazing,” she said. “I love getting to know my teachers and letting them get to know me. They breathe excitement about what they’re doing, what they’re teaching us, and how they’re impacting our lives. I applied all of that to my internship.”
For other students hoping to pursue their dream internship, Hevia’s advice is to trust in your skills.
“Do not underestimate yourself. That’s something that should be put out there more. Work hard for yourself,” Hevia said. “Put your name out there and create a community where you’re welcome. Don’t ever believe you’re not enough, because you will be somewhere.”
Check out Hevia’s “Day in the Life of a Moore Intern” video and follow us on social media @moorecollegeart:
Moore College of Art & Design is the only independent art and design college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Want to learn more about our Animation & Game Arts major or our internship opportunities? Contact our Admissions team at enroll@moore.edu or 215.965.4015 to set up a call or a campus visit. We’d love to tell you more!
Photo courtesy of Gabriela Hevia.
