Posts Tagged ‘Internships’

New Media Mindset

June 25th, 2010 by Abbey B. | 1 Comment » | posted in: Summer 2010

What was the coolest thing I did last week as a Washington Independent video intern? It is tough to decide, since I covered a press conference with Bill Gates with five other “hot shot” CEOs, filmed Jesse Jackson speaking passionately about American liberties, and channeled inspiration from ABC’s hit show, LOST to produce a recap video piece on the oil spill (look for updates on that next week!)

Last week I heard republicans discuss the Tea Party movement.

I heard legal experts discuss Elana Kagan’s nomination into the Supreme Court.

I even talked to protesters (a group called The Young Turks) outside the Treasury building.

The Semester in Washington Journalism Program has been non-stop. Between my work with The Independent covering politics around town, and working on projects for planetforward.com and The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, I have learned how to efficiently manage a LOT of work in a short time-frame.

What’s the secret? I think it is changing my thought processes. It’s about thinking 10 steps ahead, planning ahead, and working ahead. It is about ignoring hesitations and going with your gut. It’s a new media mindset.

First Day Interning at Nature’s Best Magazine

June 1st, 2010 by Adrianne A. | no comments yet | posted in: Summer 2010

Well today was my first day interning at Nature’s Best Magazine. Of course day one at an internship is about first and foremost finding your way to the office! Starting off I was alright, my GPS took me through the back-roads to avoid the crazy tolls. I ended up in some gorgeous areas, but not so gorgeous roads. I, of course, drove passed the building at least three times, definitely turned into the wrong lot twice and FINALLY located it with some help from some paper directions.

Anyway, the few hours I was there was dedicated to introductions more than anything. The small group that runs the organization is great; they are all very personable, smiley and inviting. Deb and Stephen Freligh, the owners and art directors of the magazine, told me about all about what’s happening this summer. They told me that I would most likely be doing a lot of research on photographers (professional, amateur and student), helping with upcoming photo competitions and some customer service.

At noon a photographer came in to show us something he has been working on, he said it will benefit both the magazine and the Smithsonian (which Nature’s Best works very closely with.) It’s all hush-hush though so I can’t really elaborate…. all I know is that his video was very interesting and I had no idea what he was discussing was even in existence!

They’re very flexible with hours, which is awesome, so the real stuff will start tomorrow and I’ll work 10:30am until 3:30pm. I think we (when I say we, I’m referring to myself and a girl named Emma who attends RISD, she’s also interning there) will be learning the ins-and-outs of everything. I’m very excited for this internship!

I Have An Issue…

April 15th, 2010 by Talia R. | no comments yet | posted in: Spring 2010

A Moment Magazine issue with my name in it!!

: Moment Magazine March-April Issue

: See that… circled in red… yea, that’s my name… in print!

The time has finally come. After a laborious couple of months, our March/April issue is finally finished, printed and on its way to our 100,000+ subscribers across the country! First, I want to send out a big virtual high-five to the staff at Moment Magazine for the countless hours and hard work they put into making this magazine so fantastic.

With the end of the issue, my eyes are happy to take a break. I never knew how exhausting staring at a computer for 8 hours a day or reading the same articles for edits could be. Seriously, there are times when I want to take out my eyeballs and let them rest in a glass of water, like old people and their teeth, just to give them a rest.

: Comic by Chris “Roy” Taylor

Yea, kinda like that but not really.

Despite the exhaustion, I am a bit proud of myself! I was a part of every article in the magazine… well kinda. Whether through research or editing, I helped make each piece into its finish product. Who cares that I didn’t actually write any of the features, that doesn’t mean I didn’t help.

As I navigate through the big bad world of Journalism, as an intern, I am really thankful that I am part of a publication that gives me the opportunity to also be an editor, researcher, critic and blogger.

When I write “intern at Moment,” that title is going to pack a bit more of a punch!

An Introduction:Better Late then Never

January 28th, 2010 by Talia R. | no comments yet | posted in: Spring 2010

This is my first post on the SIWJLive Blog. Granted we started the program two weeks ago… but better late then never- right?

Well, let me start by saying hello. Hello!

My name is Talia Ran. I like long walks on the beach and candle lit dinners, my favorite colors are purple and green, and I dislike the sound of ice being chewed– it gives me the willies just thinking about it (Yes, ’the willies’ is a technical term).

Unlike my fellow SIWJers, I am no longer in school. Instead, I am one of those recent graduates who, 2 years ago, had plans to go to law school and become a hot shot lawyer. Today, I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. Despite this, I do take a little comfort in knowing I am not the only one with an uncertain future. Luckily for me, I stumbled across this absolutely fantastic program through a web search of News and Writing Graduate Courses at George Washington University.

Each day with Andrea (the program assistant and adjunct) and Amos, the Director, brings a new adventure. During our boot camp we had the pleasure of a personal walking tour around DC by THE Bob Levey of Washington Post fame and we met the amazing staff of The Georgetowner (which we will be working with throughout the semester). It just gets better! Tomorrow I will be starting my first day interning at Moment Magazine and I feel just like I did the first day of high school: “What should I wear?” “Will they like me?” ”Will I like them?” My nerves may bit a bit high, but I know it will be a fantastic experience that will give me the opportunities to learn and grow as a journalist.

Only time will tell how things work out, but I have high hopes. I can already feel this is going to be one of those defining experiences. I am so excited, I can’t wait!

First Week Of Spring 2010: Student Bootcamp

January 22nd, 2010 by Andrea Genevieve | no comments yet | posted in: Spring 2010

Bob Levey and Students at a Writing Seminar

You may or may not know, but the first week of the Semester in Washington Journalism Program is always a whirlwind! Students arrive in DC, aclimate themselves to the city and try to get used to things they may not have a their home school (like a metro subway station or CVS Pharmacy’s on every corner!)

This spring, students were especially busy as they participated in a week-long bootcamp to prepare them for a semester of challenging internships in the media industry. Each day they worked on a different area of media communication, from writing exercises, to learning video software, an introduction to Twitter and how to use a Flip camera.

On Friday our guest lecturer, former Washington Post metro columnist Bob Levey, took students through an intense reporting seminar where they discussed the challenge of using images from the internet. What do you think? Should reporters be able to take photos from Twitter or Facebook accounts? What are the ethical ramifications behind doing that?

He finished up the day by taking students on a walking tour through DC to see exactly where news happens in this busy town.

Looking for some more photos from bootcamp? Take a look at the SIWJ Spring 2010 Flickr photos.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

December 7th, 2009 by Matt L. | 1 Comment » | posted in: Fall 2009

SIWJ Fall 2009

Looking back at the past few month, it’s hard to believe that the SIWJ program is over for me. Here, we learned what skills we had, what skills we could acquire, where we wanted to go, and ultimately who we are. From all the various media projects and boot camp sessions to the visits to major news operations got us ready for the world of journalism.

First SIWJ Project

Personally, this program was something that I had never experienced before. I know phrases like that are thrown around like a football, but SIWJ truly is a unique experience. Before I had gotten involved with this program, I had no real direction–no idea what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. This was the case before I opened my mailbox and saw a flyer that said I could come to D.C. to experience something I had never experienced before. Being a political junkie and a creative writing major, journalism in the political nexus of the nation seemed like a fun thing to try out– I had no idea what I was in for.

Personal Haiku

Through my internship at Campaign and Elections magazine, I learned how to write better, do research, copy edit, collect information from interviews, and take better photos. Through SIWJ classes, I learned how to shoot and edit video, edit photos better, analyze media, participate in new media, do interviews, blog, and network with others in the industry. From all the experiences I have gone through this semster I have acquired the skills that are needed to become a great journalist. Not only have I developed as a professional, but as a person as well. People will tell you they’ve all had life changing moments, but even though it sounds cliche’, this program will change anyone’s life. Being part of a group of dedicated individuals who grew alongside me has put many things in perspective. Although I leave DC today, I will be back in the future, hopefully working alongside the same five interns I worked with during one of the longest semesters in my life.

SIWJ Fall 2009 Scrapbook

Cheers!

~Matt

Getting the Hang of Networking

October 26th, 2009 by Matt L. | 2 Comments » | posted in: Fall 2009

One of the most important aspects of having an internship and taking a first step into the professional world is networking. When it comes to getting a job, or getting sources and information, networking is something all professionals (especially journalists) have to do. This is a skill not easily taught, usually it comes naturally, but it can be learned.

First and foremost, you have to deal with any social awkwardness you might have. If you are unsure of how to talk to an individual, you can take the Larry King approach and ask questions pertaining to their field. Believe it or not, people usually like to talk about their work. Body language is also an important thing to be conscious about: have a firm handshake, try not to yawn, keep your eyebrows in an elevated position, try not to cross your arms, and other body language techniques.

Asking for business cards is always a must. Whether or not the contact has one is irrelevant– an individual’s email can easily be found on their company website, etc.– but the act of asking for a card will help the other person remember you. Once you have the contact information, it is best to send the person a response, usually by email, thanking them for coming to an event or speaking with you. It is also helpful to remember what the person said, and allude to a previous conversation you had with the contact.

Lastly, you should not try to network with someone who you have nothing in common with. Sure, there are people who will try to network with someone who they have no real interest in, but it will be obvious to the other party that you are merely using them for career advancements. If you network, do it with people you have a certain amount of connection with– they don’t have to be your best friend, but there must be some semblance of chemistry. Keeping up the contact past the initial, first response is crucial, and if you do not have anything interesting to share or talk about with the contact, then the relationship will wither away. Besides the points made earlier, the best way to network is to be friendly, open-minded, and to have an easy smile.

Photo By: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ooohoooh/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

10 Feet From Obama And I Met Helen Thomas

June 29th, 2009 by admin | no comments yet | posted in: Summer 2009

Before coming to DC I joked with my family and friends about how Barack Obama was my neighbor and because of my awesome basketball skills, he might invite me to shoot hoops at the White House (one can only dream)! Obviously the second part will never happen unless I grow another foot and become a basketball all-star like Dwight Howard. But… I am proud to say I stood within 10 feet of Obama at his 4th White House Press Conference.

Last Tuesday, Rebecca Cooper (the anchor I work with at WJLA/NewChannel 8) and I set out for the White House Rose Garden, but when we arrived we were informed we’d be crammed into the Press Briefing room (which isn’t as big as it looks) because of “humidity”. Reporters later said, “It was the most packed [they've] seen the briefing room since the Monica Lewinsky scandal during the Clinton administration.”

: Me and Helen Thomas

Rebecca told me before it began I had to do the “first-time reporters” thing. First I met HELEN THOMAS…. most well-known White House journalist.

Then I stood at the podium President Obama was about to speak from…

: Me At The Podium

Finally, I stood my ground at the front to hold a place for Rebecca to stand (seats reserved for daily press). I did this for about 2 hours (In the photo below I’m in pink, holding a newspaper along the wall.)

: Waiting Waiting Waiting

When the President walked in, the room was silent (with the exception of cameras going crazy).As Obama took the podium to address the US position on Iran, health care and the economy (as usual), I stood in awe of the president. I couldn’t pay attention to the words coming out of his mouth because I was in awe of how surreal this was. Finally I came to when he began to answer questions and actually learned a lot. Evidently I was on TV too!!!
This is my favorite moment of my internship so far and I’m so grateful to Rebecca for giving me the chance to go. I’m still hoping to take on the President in a 1 on 1 challenge though. So President Obama if you’re reading this… call me and we’ll set the time and place!

Journalism is the Moonwalk

June 29th, 2009 by admin | no comments yet | posted in: Summer 2009

It had been a slow day at SlateV, the place where I intern. Legendary actress Farrah Fawcet died, but that did not give us much material other than a feathered hair competition for a slate initiative – double XX.
The interns and I were planning to embark on a culinary adventure, that night we were trying Turkish food. And then- it happened. A confirmed report that the legendary Michael Jackson had died. Expletives ran through our heads- no Turkish tonight!
Well, SlateV, the video company I intern with, wanted to do a compilation video as a kind of tribute of Micheal Jackson’s moonwalk. MJ perfected the move and it became a pop culture movement. Others tried, most failed.
So, I spent a couple hours on YouTube pulling clips and editing and the V team ended up with a pretty awesome video! Its definitely something we were proud of, take a look!

~Lindsay

Like usual, we threw it up on YouTube and it started to gain momentum. First 25,000 hits then 50,000 then 100,000 hits. As I am writing this, it has close to a million hits! And that wasn’t the end of this viral video’s success. MSN called us over at Slate, they wanted my video for their homepage-oh wait and Dateline and the Today Show called too.
Pretty darn cool! It is the most successful SlateV video to date and it has opened up many doors for SlateV. YouTube is talking to us about how we can gain more prominence in our partnership and we may have a deal with MSN for sharing video sometime soon!
This blog is called “What is Journalism?” for the students in the Semester in Washington Journalism Program and at least for me, for today, it’s the moonwalk.

A Commuter Perspective of the SIWJ Program

September 16th, 2008 by admin | no comments yet | posted in: Fall 2008

So, as many of you already know, I don’t have any first impressions of DC because I live in DC. But I do have a myriad of first impressions of my internship at The Georgetowner and the Georgetown way of doing things. So far, all of my impressions have been positive or nearly so, and most more than a little humorous.

The people in Georgetown seem nice enough, possibly because the atmosphere bears little resemblance to the frantic hustle of the rest of the district. At ten thirty in the morning, banana republic clad men, shabby-chic young ladies, and manicured moms line up outside Dean and Deluca for their morning coffee and a glance at today’s paper. Even the business casual tweed suited 30-somethings seem to prioritize scones over work. Hmm, perhaps that schedule could work for me…

As I round the corner, I can see my office in the charming brick townhouse nestled comfortably beside the down dog yoga center. Despite being cramped, cluttered, and under construction, the interior is equally charming. Our four rooms of space in the converted old house can most flatteringly be described as “intimate.” The occupants of the Georgetowner office, (I hesitate to say employees because many of them spend their lives working on the paper), are all lovely ladies. I’d venture to say that the coolest of us all is Sonya, my boss and the woman whom Amos appropriately dubbed “a force of nature.” She truly is the creative force behind the paper as well as our mentor, friend, and resident motivational speaker.

The others are Charlie, the hilarious ad guru; Jennifer, the in-country adventurer; Dan, the endearingly rumpled real estate expert; Alyssa, the telecommuting graphic designer; Siobhan, the events coordinating queen; and last, but certainly not least, Erin, the mild-mannered make-it-all worker. If Sonya is the grand poobah of the paper, Erin is certainly her Chief of Staff and most level headed adviser. Then there’s me, the only in-house writer, in charge of doing a little of everything and writing about all-things-style-related (as well as misc. stories without writers). The job couldn’t be better suited to me, I get in around 10:30, get out by 5:30, and spend time running around with people that I now consider my friends.

First impressions? It’s well worth the commute, and that’s saying something since I live in Maryland!

Photo By:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amodiovalerioverde/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0