Major(s): Journalism and PhotoJournalism
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Somerville, MA
Internship: DigBoston
Title: Reporting Intern
Why are you studying Journalism, and how has the major prepared you for your internship?
I want to be a professional journalist, hopefully, a photojournalist. I wouldn't have wanted to become a journalist without taking the amazing courses offered by the equally amazing instructors in the UMass Journalism Department. Most notably, Rodrigo Zamith, my professor for "Intro to Journalism," opened my eyes to the possibility of this as a career.
How did you find your internship? What was the process like?
I looked up journalism internships in Boston and stumbled upon this great, untraditional non-profit place called DigBoston. I saw on their website that they accepted interns, so I emailed them my interest.
Please describe your internship experience. What were your job responsibilities?
I was given a lot of freedom in my internship to write and report on what I wanted, but in many ways, this was very challenging. I had this notion that I knew most of what there was to know about journalistic writing, so this opportunity seemed perfect. I learned rather quickly that producing journalism in the real world is very hard, and it took me a while to adjust. But eventually, I learned how to navigate my community through a reporter's lens, and I was able to write some pretty cool pieces.
What was the greatest takeaway from your internship experience? What skills did you gain?
Humility. That's huge. In a profession such as journalism, the whole point is to continue to learn and grow. And I believe that doubles as a skill. I gained the skill of practicing humility in things I think I know, which in turn helps me to investigate them further and not give up when met with resistance.
What project were you most proud of at the end of your internship and why?
I'm most proud of my story on a lab development coming to one of the main squares in my city. It took me a long time to produce because hardly anyone was willing to talk to me. But I stuck with it, even when I got my first round of rather negative feedback, and I think it came out well.
How does the internship relate to your field of interest in Journalism? How has it influenced your long-term goals and career objectives?
Having an internship feels exactly like what it would be in real life, minus the stakes. My editors were very flexible, and it was not a big deal if I submitted work late. So, my goal now is to buck up and be prepared when it comes time for a job in the real world.
What advice would you give to current students hoping to apply for the same internship in the future?
I encourage students to put a lot into their internships and take initiative. It is easy to fall back and only do enough to get by, but it's only hurting you to do that. Take pride in your work and everything that you do.