I just wrapped up my summer internship. Overall, I’d say the classic cliches about internships: learned a lot about myself and the industry. I also learned a lot about how to get things done due to the nature of my particular situation (I had to create a site). Therefore, I had to jump to various departments and ask/demand that certain things get done with varying degrees of success.
There was also an aspect of non-journalism related work such as coding, researching, and marketing that I didn’t ever imagine I’d have to do.
But here are a few tips I would give anybody going into their first newspaper internship:
- Old media, in general, is in a pessimistic state of mind. This is not a bad thing. Use it to your advantage, and bring fresh ideas to the table. Use the fact that you are an outsider as a positive and suggest new ways of telling stories. But don’t be a pushy know-it-all either.
- Learn or die. If you know soundslides, HTML/CSS, video or audio editing you are in great shape. Show off your “mojo” skills as much as possible, even when you are not asked (like this intern). You might be a stark contrast to the “normal” reporter and thus make an editor who is transitioning to the digital newsroom consider you.
- Editors=friends. The most important people to get to know are your editors. They have the ability to hire (and fire) you. They have combed through the resumes, and have read thousands of stories. Ask them what you stink at. Pry their brain on the industry, what makes a good reporter, and their best dinner recipe.
- Hang out with your fellow interns outside of the office at least once.
- Pitch stories outside of your section. Chance is, the newsroom is understaffed. Take advantage of this by giving editors what is essentially free labor. Get some diversity in your clips while establishing new professional relationships. You may even be able to swing some freelance work after you leave.
5a. For the love of god, stay out of office gossip.
(thanks to Joe for the above link.)