For almost my entire life I have known that I wanted to be a journalist. The proof sits under layers of dust in the basement of my childhood home. In first grade, when kids would write about their weekends during free writing time, I would write recaps of the most recent Iowa Hawkeye football game. While those stories collect dust now, they mark the beginning of my journey to achieving my dreams.
I am excited to introduce myself as the new reporting intern for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun and the Solon Economist. I wrapped up my junior year at the University of Iowa this past spring semester. As a journalism student, and one who aspires to continue to work in the industry after I graduate, I wanted a summer job where I could work on my skills and learn from journalists with more experience.
I got offered this internship by the publisher, Jason Brummond, and I jumped at the opportunity. In fact, I paused a round of golf to accept this role with the Sun and the Economist.
It excites me to have the chance to work under the guidance of the editors of each newspaper, Nathan Countryman of the Sun and Chris Umscheid of the Economist. These two are industry professionals who can do great journalistic work and clearly take pride in what they write. They will provide plenty of insight that I can learn from so I can continue to create work that I am proud of.
This internship provides a unique opportunity to report locally in Iowa. I grew up in central Iowa, living in the suburbs of Des Moines for my entire life, and now residing in Iowa City while I attend school. Throughout my time in Eastern Iowa, while only a couple of years, I have learned what makes this area special to so many who live here.
I now look forward to not only spending more time in and around Mount Vernon and Lisbon, but to having the opportunity to do my part in the community, writing stories and reporting the news.