I helped pen the first rough draft of history through my internship. You could, too.
The words flashed across my phone screen in capitalized letters: THE SUPREME COURT HAS OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE. There was no time for hesitation, this was the moment I was preparing for.
After weeks of prepping, I finally hit “publish” on my article about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, joining an avalanche of other stories that formed the rough draft of history surrounding this monumental decision, penned by journalists at thousands of publications here and around the world.
That was just one day in 10 weeks of working with The State newspaper in South Carolina as a reporting intern. So, in celebration of National Intern Day, I’m here to reflect on the rest of my experiences.
It’s been a whirlwind at The State, to say the least. In my 10 weeks here so far, I’ve stayed up until midnight to report on South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District primary results, attended a public testimony hearing on abortion, covered Vice President Kamala Harris’ June visit to the state and (gulp!) asked politicians questions at press conferences.
It’s been a dream come true but, to be honest, the internship was overwhelming at times. Important coverage can often start to feel like a burden. Soon, that burden can turn into something even worse: burnout.
I’m no stranger to burnout and it was something I was wary of before my internship. But, working at The State, I learned the cure to my intermittent bouts of burnout was a nurturing work environment.
Choosing an internship can be stressful, as you balance the need for a livable wage while aiming for a prestigious position. I’m here to tell you that instead of prioritizing reputation, you should strive for a healthy workplace.
By interning at The State, I was thrust into a newsroom that cared about my well-being and success. I never felt afraid to ask questions or receive feedback. I always felt that the politics and government team — and my editor Maayan — had my back and wanted to see me do well.
Internships are a treasure trove for connecting with accomplished people in your field. If you’re lucky, through osmosis, you’ll pick up some of that talent yourself. My internship at The State made me fall in love with journalism again.
Another lesson I’ve learned: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
The number of cold calls I’ve made seeking interviews would make any socially anxious Gen Z member’s toes curl — I know mine did. But, in time, it became apparent that the worst-case scenario is someone saying no.
That mentality relates to applying for internships, too. I encourage you to put yourself out there and try, even if you feel you’re underqualified for a position.
I’m not even a journalism major, so this is coming from one victim of imposter syndrome to another.
You should definitely try to take on experiences to make yourself a qualified candidate, though. Thanks to my high school English teacher, Mrs. Garrison, I’ll reference the wise words of Voltaire: One must cultivate one’s own garden.
If you attend university, there’s a plethora of opportunities to cultivate your garden. At UF, one of the best places for that is the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, which has been instrumental in my journey to cultivate a garden that would rival the gardens of Versailles.
Through the Graham Center, I’ve engaged in experiential learning opportunities with the Florida Political Review and a policy research fellowship with the city of Gainesville. Those experiences boosted my work experience and my resume, which help me get my current internship. The center is full of wonderful people who want to help you succeed.
You may already have a great team of people rooting you on. Lean into them for guidance when you can. For me, I had a whole roster of people I consulted before taking on my current internship. My family, my best friends, my Arabic department coordinator, Youssef Haddad, and my gifted colleagues at The Independent Florida Alligator all gave me the support I needed to end up with The State.
So, in light of the stunning James Webb telescope photos, I’ll leave you with an apt space-themed aphorism for those seeking internships, from Norman Vincent Peale: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
Makiya Seminera is a senior at UF, majoring in international studies and Arabic. She is from Crystal River.
Join the conversation
Share your opinions by sending a letter to the editor (up to 200 words) to letters@gainesville.com. Letters must include the writer's full name and city of residence. Additional guidelines for submitting letters and longer guest columns can be found at bit.ly/sunopinionguidelines.
Journalism matters. Your support matters.
Get a digital subscription to the Gainesville Sun. Includes must-see content on Gainesville.com and Gatorsports.com, breaking news and updates on all your devices, and access to the eEdition. Visit www.gainesville.com/subscribenow to sign up.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Makiya Seminera: Reflections in celebration of National Intern Day
