NewsBeat

October 2015 NewsBeat 23 I covered, initiated, and reported on town meetings and other local stories. One of my favorite articles that I wrote talked about a Suffolk County local law banning the use of drones in public areas. This sparked controversy and debate in philosophical, practical, and constitutional aspects. Breaking the story really shed light on a growing issue and I was glad to be a part of getting the conversation going in the first place. Eventually, my mentor wrote a large investigative piece on the trend, which I helped research. Interviewing was also a skill I acquired. The art of getting quotes was incredibly touching and moving. In one story, I wrote about the possible defunding of the Pell Grant, a grant that helps students go to college at an affordable cost. A valedictorian shared with me how he's using his education to help his mom have the chance at the American Dream. In another story that talks about a camp that brings people who lost parents to terrorism together, a teenager told me the impact that the program had on him. That's when journalism truly becomes something fulfilling — talking to actual people with real life accounts of what it means to be human. Even the stories that don't make the headlines whatsoever were worth writing about. For instance, I wrote about traffic control on the Fourth of July, which is not particularly an interesting topic at face- value. Even so, I was so glad that I was able to help even just one person by transmitting information on how to avoid congestion on the roads. In addition, besides writing articles, I would do weekly postings of events on Long Island. Through this, I gained insight that the nightlife and entertainment in the place I live is definitely alive and well. This internship also allowed me to get a free Billy Joel CD while covering the Nassau Coliseum's last concert before its renovations. Just saying. My mentors were fantastic and gave me comments that ultimately sharpened my writing ability and journalistic ear. I would recommend the NYPA internship to anyone who wishes to get in the door of journalism and learn what is necessary to know in this field. I cannot wait to continue the path of my potential journalism career where I will use what I have learned to make a positive difference. Justine Schoenbart Hofstra University Intern at Blank Slate Media As an intern for Blank Slate Media this summer, I got a wide range of journalistic experience that went far beyond what I ever imagined when I applied for and received the internship. Although I was an intern, I was quickly trusted with the responsibilities given to a regular staff reporter. This opportunity challenged me to take risks and step outside of my comfort zone as I transitioned from an undergraduate student finishing her freshman year to a reporter expected to provide top quality news to local communities. On many days, I would come to work and write articles and conduct interviews during the 9-5 workday, and then later move on to attend anything from a village hall meeting to school board meeting. These meetings typically ran from about 7:30-9:30 or 10, which meant that weeks with a lot of meetings were long, demanding, and exhausting — but, in the end, worth it. Engaging with local communities through attending such meetings and reporting on them gave me a sense of why news reporting is so essential to our society; I got to see on first hand both the support and rage community members expressed toward certain issues and then translate that support and rage into words through the articles I wrote for the paper. My interview skills also were strengthened throughout the eight weeks I spent as an intern, as I was constantly making calls to request further information on news we had received in the office or to follow up from a prior meeting. As the summer went on, I was able to pinpoint exactly what questions to ask to get the answers I needed to write the article. I wrote over 70 articles this summer, and as a Great Neck resident — one of the areas for which Blank Slate Media has a newspaper, the Great Neck News — I constantly received praise for my articles and writing skills from community members who saw my articles both on the front page and inside the paper. I received a lot of hands on experience covering a village election where one write-in candidate requested a recount after losing by three votes, and I felt I was really trusted by my boss and other editors to cover the whole election, even though I was "just an intern." Many of the village residents at meetings regarding the election consistently complimented my extensive coverage, which of course was a point of pride for me as an emerging journalist. In fact, at the first election event I was asked to cover — a recanvass of votes at the Board of Elections — the village clerk said to me, "Oh, you're an intern? They should have you covering baseball games or something." I'm certainly glad Blank Slate gave me the opportunity to do something a little more comprehensive than that. Ultimately, I gained invaluable experience this summer. I am grateful to both Blank Slate for allowing me to take on the responsibilities of a reporter despite my age and lack of experience, and the New York Press Association, for creating and funding this amazing opportunity.

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