UCF Students Gain Hollywood Experience as Interns on Shark Tank 

Nicholson School of Communication and Media students swam with the sharks behind the scenes of a popular show.

Written by: Emily Dougherty | Published: August 28, 2025

Sophia Squiccirini, a senior studying media production and management, and Payton Lewandrowski ’25, a recent Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) alumna, were selected for the competitive internships on Shark Tank, gaining real-world industry experience from the program created by UCF alumnus and Shark Tank executive producer and showrunner, Clay Newbill ’82. The opportunity, offered exclusively to select media majors within NSCM, gave both students a front-row seat to the fast-paced world of television production in Los Angeles.

For Squiccirini, the internship was the culmination of a childhood dream.

“Growing up as a kid, I used to run around my house making iMovies and filming my family’s vacations and editing them,” Squiccirini says. “I always knew I wanted to work in the film industry.”

With the support of family, she engaged opportunities to get closer to the film industry, working with the Florida Collegiate Summer League before moving on to UCF Athletics Production, where she gained experience as a replay operator.

When Squiccirini learned about the Shark Tank internship from her advisor, she knew instantly she wanted to apply. After a competitive interview process, she received the acceptance call from Newbill just before Christmas.

“I was sobbing in my living room when I found out,” Squiccirini says. “My whole family was there celebrating with me. I knew this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Once in Los Angeles, Squiccirini says she joined the production team, working out of an office on the Sony Studios lot. She says she had a broad range of daily responsibilities from managing crew badges and drive-on passes to assisting producers with pitch preparation. She also became the go-to person for technical setups, even configuring the “sharks” devices before filming, giving her one-on-one opportunities to engage the show hosts.

Her favorite memories include helping with rehearsals for entrepreneurs’ presentations and shadowing UCF alumna Kelly Fazel, a former UCF intern who is now a producer on the show. Squiccirini also recalls personal interactions with the Sharks, such as Damon John filming a Father’s Day message for her family, and chance encounters on the Sony lot with celebrities such as Tom Holland, Chip and Joanna Gaines, and Howie Mandel.

“Meeting Kelly was incredible. She told me, ‘I was in your position, I was a UCF intern too.’ And now she’s a producer,” Squiccirini says. “We got lunch and coffee, and she gave me so much advice and let me shadow her for a day.”

Now UCF alumna Lewandrowski shares a similarly incredible experience on the show, working with the post-production team. In her role, she logs footage, assists editors, and turns hours of raw pitches from entrepreneurs into polished television episodes.

“Seeing how the editors crafted the narrative from start to finish was eye-opening,” she says. “It showed me the importance of each detail.”

Both students say the internship prepared them for future careers in production. Squiccirini emphasized the importance of adaptability and teamwork, as well as treating every assignment with importance, no matter how small it may seem.

“If someone on set asks you to make coffee, make it the best coffee you’ve ever made,” she says. “Every little thing you do matters.”

For Lewandrowski, the lessons were just as strong. She credits this opportunity for strengthening her technical skills, expanding her knowledge, and validating her passion for storytelling.

“It was career-shaping,” she says. “I walked away knowing this is exactly what I want to do.”

What began as a semester-long internship has since turned into something more. Squiccirini was asked to remain with the Shark Tank team after her internship officially ended, allowing her to continue building experience in Hollywood while expanding her professional network.

Both agreed that the Shark Tank crew felt more like a family than colleagues, thanks to the culture of mentorship established by Newbill.

“Clay is the best mentor. He told me to be a sponge—to absorb everything,” Squiccirini says. “That advice changed how I approached the entire experience.”

For Squiccirini and Lewandrowski, their time on Shark Tank has gone beyond an internship. It has connected them to mentors—including UCF alumni, sharpened their skills, and gave them confidence to pursue careers in television.

“I knew I was going to be in California,” Squiccirini says. “I didn’t question it. And now I’m here.”

Lewandrowski reaffirmed that sentiment, encouraging other students to be ready for opportunities when they come.

“This experience showed me that every step you take can open the door to the next one,” she says.

For readers interested in watching their work on Shark Tank, the 17th season premieres on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 on ABC at 10/9c.