An Internship Stipend Supports Opportunity with National Journalism Center

I recently had the opportunity to spend my summer in Washington DC as an intern for the National Journalism Center (NJC). This internship puts emphasis on training truth-seeking reporters, and I have been able to gain guidance from many experts in the industry through NJC’s programming. It has been incredible to work with the NJC staff and to hear expert advice from them as well as the various journalists, authors, and other notable guest speakers who advised interns during weekly training classes.

As a part of the National Journalism Center’s internship program, I was provided the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working as an intern reporter for an online news publication, The Center Square. Over the course of my internship, I was able to have several articles and bylines published by The Center Square. This role opened up doors for me to have many exciting experiences, including invitations to attend and report on various events around Washington, networking with other reporters, and learning how to work in a collaborative newsroom setting.

As an English major, the majority of my writing during my time in college was focused on literary theory and more traditional forms of academic writing. Being able to do this internship with a focus on print news helped me to widen my horizons to learn more about the journalistic field. I was able to gain solid experience writing in AP style, as well as helping me to add to my repertoire of writing and editing skills.

Gaining hands-on experience reporting in the nation’s capital has been a truly joyful experience, and it has impacted my career plans by solidifying my desire to pursue a full-time career working in the journalism industry in DC. I truly feel that I have emerged from this internship experience as a more well-rounded individual who is well-equipped to seek full-time employment as a young professional.

This internship experience has helped me to grow both professionally as well as in my personal life. I am grateful to have learned so many valuable lessons the past few months. I was happy to have been awarded the Internship Stipend from Sigma Tau Delta in support of my pursuing this internship opportunity. The stipend was important as it helped me to have additional funds available for expenses accumulated from my moving from Texas to DC for my internship.

Ireland Owens
Internship Stipend Recipient, Spring 2024
Alpha Psi Lambda Chapter
Austin College, Sherman, TX

Internship Stipend

Sigma Tau Delta offers funding for current undergraduate and graduate student members accepting internships for which their expenses exceed what they will be paid. Sigma Tau Delta will not cover expenses related to tuition and/or student fees. The Internship Stipend is a competitive program providing a limited number of stipends of up to $1,500 each.

The internship must involve working for an “organization” while being directed by a supervisor/mentor within that organization, and the intern’s duties must be consistent with the applicant’s level of education, area of study, and career goals. Financial need will be taken into consideration in addition to internship length. Applicants are responsible for obtaining and providing verification of the internship. Check out BestColleges’ Ultimate Guide to Internships for advice in finding and applying for internships.

The internship stipend does not apply to activities that are part of a student’s pre-professional degree requirements, such as student teaching or capstone internships in journalism/technical writing, and cannot be used to supplement a graduate assistantship. Students are eligible for the internship stipend award one time per internship.