Humanities Internship Spotlight | Georgia Metcalf

While working as a summer reporting intern at The Santa Barbara Independent and Ojai Valley News, Georgia Metcalf learned one thing quickly: These communities are tight-knit and won’t speak to just anyone off the bat, making it difficult for a new journalist on the scene.

“I mean, it's a town of 8,000 people; everyone kind of knows everyone,” she says. “It was a lesson in building trust with the people that lived there."

And trust, she did build. By the end of her internships, she had written over 30 articles, covering the arts and culture scene as well as general news stories.

“I feel like I was really able to pick up what local communities were really passionate about, and what was important to them,” she added. Whether she was covering local events or interviewing community members, Metcalf learned that successful reporting depended on listening first and being adaptable.

Her favorite piece she wrote was about the Camerata Pacifica Symphony, where she interviewed the organization’s director. “I feel like I was able to identify why people are so passionate about it. He really emphasized the importance of making classical music modern and keeping it fresh for a younger audience,” she says.

Metcalf found that a crucial part of her internship experience was working in the newsroom on a daily basis.

“It was a super motivating environment,” she says. “They just treated me like I was one of their reporters, which was really nice.” Observing a newsroom setting gave her insight and experience she hopes to implement in her role as arts desk editor at the U’s student newspaper, The Daily Utah Chronicle.

“Seeing how an editor works at a bigger publication, or just a different publication, I was like, ‘Ok, I need to specifically explain the feedback I give my writers and make sure they understand,’” she noted.

Interning at a small coastal town newspaper wasn’t an opportunity that landed in Metcalf’s lap; it was something she intentionally sought after examining her prior journalism experience and future goals. “I spent a lot of my life in Ojai, so I knew they had a paper. I just reached out to the editor; I cold-called her,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to reach out and be like, ‘Hey, I’m a student. I’d love to learn,’ and just see what they say.”

Taking risks and generally being bold are two things Metcalf encourages other students seeking internships to do. “I feel like a lot of people in different industries, whether that is journalism, PR or marketing, they really want people to learn. Chances are they have something for you,” she says.

Any views, experiences, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this student internship highlight do not necessarily represent those of the College of Humanities.