Major(s): Journalism, minor in Chinese
Graduation Year: December 2022
Hometown: Bennington, Vermont
Internship: The Boston Globe
Title: Homepage Co-Op Intern
Why are you studying Journalism, and how has the major prepared you for your internship?
When I first began studying at UMass Amherst, I was a political science major pursuing a certificate in international relations. I switched to a journalism major because I realized that my passions lay in storytelling and developing a better understanding of our world.
How did you find your internship? What was the process like?
I first heard about The Boston Globe Co-Op when I transferred over to the Journalism Department during my first year from my advisor Beth Wallace. She told me about the co-op program, and I instantly knew I was interested in applying for my sophomore or junior year.
Please describe your internship experience. What were your job responsibilities?
My role as a homepage co-op involved creating and sending social media posts, push alerts, breaking news emails, pulling wires, and designing and updating The Boston Globe homepage layout. I wrote breaking news stories on topics ranging from the Texas Senate Bill 8 (SB8) law to the Biden administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What was the greatest takeaway from your internship experience? What skills did you gain?
Never count yourself out! Always apply to things even if you don't think you will get them. Everyone feels a certain sense of imposter syndrome when starting a new internship, but you deserve to be there and will learn so much from your experience.
What project were you most proud of at the end of your internship and why?
One of the things I am most proud of during my internship was the first time I was in charge of drafting and sending out all alerts to our social media platforms. It was really cool to see everyone's phones in the room light up with the alert I had sent and see my article on the front page of the morning paper.
How does the internship relate to your field of interest in Journalism? How has it influenced your long-term goals and career objectives?
My internship experience helped me develop strong research skills and allowed me to work with social media platforms, search engine optimization, push alerts, and breaking news emails. It also taught me how to be a better reporter and journalist overall. I now feel comfortable writing about a broad range of subjects. I hope to use what I have learned and apply it to my future career as a foreign correspondent.
What advice would you give to current students hoping to apply for the same internship in the future?
This co-op is one of the best hands-on experiences out there! It will prepare you for the journalism industry and help you know what type of journalism you want to go into in the future. Make sure you are organized, prepared, and always laugh at Mike Bello's jokes! (If you like dad humor, you'll love him).