Global Opportunity Showcase: Scripps in DC

The Scripps Semester in DC is a collaboration between the School of Visual Communication and the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. The program helps students explore career opportunities in America's capital. The program lasts 10 weeks and includes a variety of topics such as photojournalism, multimedia storytelling and data journalism. Junior journalism: news and information major Emily Gayton spent fall semester in the program. She told me about her experience. 

This is the first blog post in a series about Scripps students' experiences across the globe. 

Q: What internship did you have in the fall?

A: My internship was for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press last fall.

Q: What sort of tasks did you do at the internship?

A: I worked on the Comms team at the Reporters Committee. I read legal briefs and translated them into web content that is digestible to a common reader; I sorted through decades worth of archived print content to help develop content for the 50th Annual Gala; I categorized decades worth of web content after we updated our website and I created social media posts.   

Q: Why did you choose the DC program?

A: I chose the DC program because it was a financially responsible way to explore my passion for law in a city I have considered moving to after graduation.

Q: What are your career goals?

A:  I love nonprofit work and I think I work best when I work for a cause I love. I can see myself working with organizations that fight the global water crisis, first amendment infringements and/or systemic injustices like racism, sexism, etc.

Q: What was your favorite part of being in DC?

A: I like that the city is diverse in people and in things to do. I appreciate that it is bursting with young, passionate people who are seeking change.

Q: What was one unexpected experience you had?

A: I did not expect myself to sort through archived content and I did not know how much I would love it! I created a color-coded system that made the stack of 4 inch binders easy to navigate for my supervisors.