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After a semester of training in radio writing, audio recording, and audio editing, I joined North Country Public Radio as a journalism intern, producing news stories for Northern Light, NCPR's morning news program.
Throughout my summer internship, I experienced what a journalist's day looks like: following local news, pitching story ideas, attending editorial meetings, conducting interviews, writing and recording stories, and working closely with coworkers to revise them for broadcast. One of the most rewarding aspects of the internship was developing and reporting my own stories.
During my first weeks, I joined two ribbon-cutting ceremonies, first alongside my editor and later independently. Speaking with elected officials, public servants, and community members initially felt intimidating, but those experiences gave me the confidence to approach sources, build trust, and ask better questions.
Through this internship, I also developed a new appreciation for audio storytelling and learned how to write for listeners rather than readers. I loved that radio journalism is built on conversation, from interviewing people in the field to speaking directly to listeners through the microphone.
By the end of the internship, I had produced multiple radio spots and web stories on topics ranging from Jefferson County's new public transit system to the impact of travel bans on international students. Along the way, I gained a much deeper understanding of both journalism and the North Country.
I am incredibly grateful to the NCPR newsroom for helping me grow as a journalist!