When I first started pursuing journalism, I always pictured myself covering music, movies and pop culture. Those have always been the industries I dreamed of working in. But as I’ve continued to grow as a journalist, I’ve realized that every beat connects to another. Entertainment intersects with business, politics, education, and even the environment. Great journalism isn’t about limiting yourself to one topic; it’s about telling stories that matter, no matter where they come from.
This summer, through the Frank Karel Fellowship, I had the opportunity to step into a world I knew very little about by interning with the National League of Cities (NLC). It has been one of the most rewarding learning experiences of my college career.
I joined the Digital Engagement, Marketing and Communications (DEMC) team, where I quickly learned just how much work goes into communicating with local leaders across the country. Whether it was writing blogs, supporting communications campaigns, learning more about marketing strategies or seeing how NLC’s digital platforms come together, every day introduced me to something new. I gained a greater appreciation for the work that happens behind the scenes to make sure important information reaches the people who need it most.
Before coming to NLC, my experience with local government and public policy was mostly limited to what I had learned in the classroom, along with personal reading and research that helped me better understand how government works. Even with that foundation, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The team at NLC made the transition easy. They never assumed I already knew everything. Instead, they took the time to explain how NLC works alongside city leaders—not by creating policy for them, but by equipping them with research, tools, and examples from cities across the country so they can develop solutions that best fit the needs of their own communities. That perspective completely changed how I viewed the role of organizations like NLC.
One of the biggest takeaways from this experience has been realizing how much local leaders do to improve the lives of the people they serve. Through interviews, blog writing and research, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about mayors, councilmembers and city staff who are tackling challenges unique to their cities. NLC helps amplify those success stories and shares resources so other local leaders can learn from one another. Knowing that my work contributes to that mission has shown me that communication can play an important role in helping cities create meaningful change.
As someone who still hopes to work in entertainment journalism one day, this internship has reminded me that the skills of a journalist are transferable. Whether I’m covering a film premiere, interviewing an artist or writing about housing, entrepreneurship, or infrastructure, the goal remains the same: tell meaningful stories that inform, connect and inspire people.
I’m incredibly grateful to the Frank Karel Fellowship for opening this door and to everyone at the National League of Cities who has invested in my growth this summer. I’m excited to continue learning, continue telling stories and see where the rest of this internship journey takes me.
