Earlier this week, we were invited to speak at a journalism class at The Evergreen State College. As part of the class coursework, students are divided up among local media groups to serve as interns for the quarter. Two lucky students, Ian Riise and Stefan Ellis, get to spend a few months learning ThurstonTalk’s business model, writing content, and handling special projects.
A product of a college internship myself, I firmly believe that real life application of your studies is critical to success post-graduation. I made vital connections and learned valuable skills, not just about my chosen field but about professional conduct in general. My mom taught me polite manners but Chris Cutone and John Boulanger taught me to pick my words (and battles) wisely, the importance of first impressions in the workforce (dress nicely and you will instantly garner respect), and to gracefully handle any task passed my way. At just 20 years old, the duo let me tag along to meetings with high powered executives and listen in on brutal disagreements between coworkers.
John, I’m paying it forward now to six interns. My greatest hope is that they share their lessons learned at ThurstonTalk with their interns in 18 years.
Enjoy these first stories published by ThurstonTalk interns. Watch for photographs from Amelia Bottenmiller (Avanti High School) and articles from Eliza Ramsey (Capital High School).
- Keeping ‘Em Flying At Saint Martin’s University: Preparing For World War II by Jennifer Crooks, history major at Saint Martin’s University
- Olympia Poetry Out Loud Competitors Perform With Passion, Accuracy by Kelly Miller, junior at Olympia High School
- Evergreen’s Photoland: A Rare And Valuable Resource For Any Photographer by Ian Riise, junior at The Evergreen State College
- Evergreen Student Drives Feature Film ‘The Passenger’ by Stefan Ellis, senior at The Evergreen State College
No post about ThurstonTalk interns would be complete without the mention of Jake Luplow. A member of our writing team, Jake is a full-time student at South Puget Sound Community College and has been writing for ThurstonTalk for the past ten months, before we established a ‘formal’ internship program. Jake’s work has varied from stories about Lacey’s Huntamer Park to his beloved write-up on Russell Day. He tackles photography assignments as well and puts his heart into every story. I’m confident that’s going to play out well after SPSCC graduation.
If you like our interns’ work, drop us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com.
ThurstonTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Olympia. If you have a suggestion for a story, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, click here.
