How to be a Super Intern
As programming director for the Society of Professional journalists, I helped planned a panel for how to be an awesome intern. I came away with a lot of good tips. I would like to intern this summer for my local paper, but we’ll see. If I do, I will be sure to follow some of the journalism panelists’ advice.
- Research the community in which you are working. Get lost in the community. Know everything and plan story ideas ahead of time. Be proactive in your curiosity about the world.
- Swallow pride. Yes you attend the University of Missouri (world’s best journalism school), but you still have a lot to learn.
- Bring a clock. Always be on time and professional. You are auditioning for your professional career.
- KNOW you can do it.
- Find a champion. Seek out another person who you can turn to and accept constructive criticism from. It’s a safe place.
- Stand out by asking questions and being prepared.
- If an internship isn’t structured, find a way to make it meaningful. Ask “what will I be doing?”. If the answer is “it’s up to you,” seek out opportunities.
- You are a millennial, use it. People will be seeking you out for knowledge about technology.
- It’s all about the clips—quality clips. It doesn’t have to be hard news, it just has to show your talent.
- Know what your “news philosophy” is. In interviews, you might be asked “what is a good news story.”
- Do not have typos or grammar errors on a cover letter or resume. This is a first impression, create a good one.
Just some thoughts to keep in mind if you are in the internship boat.