Alumni, students reflect on Scripps Semester in D.C. experiences

Selby Ginis, BSVC ’19, was one of 18 Ohio University students who participated in the inaugural year of the Scripps Semester in D.C. program, during which she interned for CGTN America, China Global Television Network, an international news organization.

In 2017, Ohio University launched the Scripps Semester in D.C. program for students looking to learn from professionals, including OHIO alumni, working in the nation’s capital. A collaboration between the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and the School of Visual Communication, the program is designed for students interested in journalism (print, broadcast, data and photojournalism), data visualization, commercial photography, strategic communication, information graphics, publication design for print and digital, scripting and UX design.

Eighteen students participated in the program during the 2017-18 academic year with another 11 Bobcats enrolled in the program this semester. The program—held entirely in Washington, D.C. —consists of a four-week seminar followed by a 10-week practicum during which students complete a for-credit internship designed specifically for their area of study.

Ohio Today news recently caught up with two alumni and three current students who participated in the Semester in D.C. program to discuss their experiences and how the program has shaped their current and future careers in the journalism and media fields.

Nicole Dascenzo, BSJ ’18, participated in the Scripps Semester in D.C. program during the 2017-18 academic year, interning with Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, and is now a staff assistant at the U.S. Senate.

Why did you decide to participate in the Semester in D.C. program?

Nicole Dascenzo, BSJ ’18: I applied to the program because I’ve always had an interest in politics, and the program sounded like the perfect way to see the different ways you can utilize a communications-related degree in this field. I had always thought about moving to D.C. one day, and when I heard about the program, I knew it was my chance to make that dream a reality.

Camille Fine, BSVC ’19: I decided to participate in the D.C. program because I knew it would benefit my career in the long run. I’m very interested in politics, so working in the nation’s capital was always something that intrigued me. The professors were amazing, and I was excited to be in a more intimate learning environment with 10 people as opposed to a larger lecture.

Julia Fair, BSJ ’18: I was in the program when it was the first cohort that ever went. I couldn’t pass up the career opportunity, and my adviser was very encouraging and said I would regret not going. I took the jump because I couldn’t give that career opportunity up. I knew it would be a great learning experience.

Carolyn Rogers, BSVC ’19: I chose to participate in the program because I had a semester off when it came to my visual communication classes and I thought it was going to be a great opportunity.

Selby Ginis, BSVC ’19: I decided to participate in the Semester in D.C. program because it seemed like an incredible experience that I couldn’t pass up. I also needed and wanted an internship for my major, and this felt like a perfect fit. I couldn’t be happier that I decided to go through with it.

Camille Fine, BSVC ’19, is a photojournalism student who participated in the Scripps Semester in D.C. program this past academic year, interning at The Hill.

Where did you complete your internship, and what did it entail?

Dascenzo: I was an intern in an office in the U.S. House of Representatives. I answered phones, sorted mail and ran errands around the Hill, which were all typical Hill intern tasks. I was also able to assist the congressman’s press team by putting together talking points, proofreading press releases and op-eds, compiling press clips, managing the press database and preparing the congressman and his office for interviews.

Fine: I interned for a newspaper called The Hill. Every weekday I worked on Capitol Hill, photographing meetings, hearings, protests and much more.

Fair: I did my internship with the USA Today D.C. Bureau. I was on the White House reporting team, so I was kind of able to wear a lot of hats in the office. Some days I was collecting data for the White House reporter who was tracking the executive orders that Trump was signing off on, other days I was blogging about what Obama was up to for the blogging desk and other days I was able to go to the Capitol and report on things like healthcare. I was able to do a lot; it was really interesting.

Rogers: I interned for NPR. I was the picture editing intern at the Science Desk. During my internship, I found artwork and photographs for articles that were running at the time.

Ginis: I interned for CGTN America, China Global Television Network, an international news organization. I was on the Digital Team, which dealt with social media, broadcasting and publishing creative content. I scheduled, planned and created posts that go out on all their social media platforms. This mixed my photography, social media and Chinese experiences altogether.

Julia Fair, BSJ ’18, completed the Scripps Semester in D.C. program in the fall of 2017 and is now a government and social justice watchdog reporter for News Leader Media in Staunton, Va., which is part of the USA Today network.

What opportunities came from your experience in the program?

Dascenzo: This program was so helpful in narrowing down my future career path. I was unsure about what I specifically wanted to do with my degree and wasn’t really even sure if my mix of interests could be turned into a career, but meeting with alumni and doing an internship showed me that my interests can, in fact, be turned into a career. I also learned how important it is, for both the quality of the work that you do and your own mental health, to be passionate about whatever it is you choose to do.

Fine: I made connections at large news organizations and formed friendships on Capitol Hill. I also think this helped me get my second internship at USA Today, which is based just outside of Washington, D.C., because they saw I had experience living and working in the area.

Fair: I actually got a job within the USA Today network before I graduated. With my time in D.C., I got to go to the USA Today headquarters, which is in McLean, Virginia. I just made the most out of my time. I met a few of the top editors there and they put me in touch with the recruiters of USA Today and I kept in touch with them.

Rogers: The Semester in D.C. program was a great opportunity because I was able to experience working in a large newsroom and make connections. I was able to make connections, work with editors and take some photos that ran on (the) NPR website.

Ginis: We had the opportunity to meet and talk to OHIO alumni in the city that work at VOX Media, National Geographic, USA Today, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, The Washington Post and more. Along with that, I was living on my own, meeting new people and stepping out of my comfort zone. This program has helped me with my future in so many ways. I plan on moving back to the D.C. area after I graduate in the spring. I wouldn’t be moving back there if it wasn’t for this experience in the first place. I fell in love with living there.

Carolyn Rogers, BSVC ’19, is photojournalism student who completed the Scripps Semester in D.C. program during the 2017-18 academic year and interned with National Public Radio (NPR).

Why do you think this program is a good opportunity for OHIO students?

Dascenzo: This program is a great opportunity because it immerses students in the “real world,” which always felt so foreign as a student. We hit the ground running on day one, meeting with alumni doing fascinating work and learning how to navigate our new city. The alumni that we met in the program and the alumni that I meet now are some of the kindest, most hardworking people I know. And the sentiment that Bobcats are always willing to help Bobcats is true.

Fine: This program is a good opportunity for Scripps students because even if you’re more interested in local journalism, it’s good to get an understanding politics on a macro level. My experience gave me tools to localize nationalize issues in a more comprehensive way. I formed amazing friendships and expanded my professional network.

Fair: The OHIO alumni network is massive across the U.S. and especially in D.C. Alumni want to help out current OU students, so it gives you that extra edge to get that high-profile internship that will give you a leg-up when you are graduating from OHIO. You can’t give up this networking opportunity.

Rogers: I think it will help me in the future by preparing myself for a large newsroom environment and shape my view on storytelling.

Ginis: I think this opportunity is an incredible experience for any OHIO student, and I highly recommend never turning this chance down. The Semester in D.C. opens your eyes to a whole new life in the nation’s capital. So much good came from those four months that I lived there, including the networking opportunities, new city life, independent living, internship experience and exclusive meetings from OHIO alumni all over D.C.

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