When I saw CivicStory was looking for a “Sustainability Ambassador” summer intern, I knew the job would be a perfect fit, as a college student considering a career in journalism and someone passionate about sustainability. CivicStory’s status as a nonprofit also appealed to me. I wanted to write stories driven by values and ethics rather than profit.

Young man smiling and leaning against wood boards — Jordan Akers

CivicStory Sustainability Ambassador, Summer 2022

The internship was undoubtedly a success, and I’ve gained valuable, career-building skills. Most notably, I’ve learned everything it takes to write a good news article, including identifying local contacts, conducting interviews, and drawing on my conversations to write a clear story.

I first had to become comfortable with scouring the web and social media for potential sources, then sending several cold emails. CivicStory’s founder, Susan Haig, was also instrumental in providing an immense array of local contacts. Then, if I was lucky enough to get a response, I scheduled telephone and Zoom interviews.

Conducting a good and productive interview was the next vital skill I learned. My first interview was rough around the edges, but as I continued talking with people, I got better at holding a fluid conversation and knowing which questions to ask. In fact, talking with others became my favorite part of the experience because I could learn about the different work people in the New Jersey community do to satisfy their shared passion for the common good. Despite doing the internship remotely from Paris, I had no problems connecting with sources and feeling like a part of the CivicStory community. I was even able to connect with environmentally-minded people here in France and compare their efforts to those of New Jerseyans. I found some people enjoy being stewards of the environment, while others prefer educating their community about the importance of civics.

Thanks to the mentorship provided by journalist and CivicStory board member Vincent Onofre, I learned how to compile the information from my interviews into a succinct story. For the sake of clarity, I sometimes had to cut out information from a story, even if I personally found it interesting. At the same time, sometimes more information was necessary, and I had to reach out to additional sources or conduct research online.

Between writing and publishing, I worked with Vincent and CivicStory’s senior editor, Jennie Aylward, to fine tune my articles and blog posts. It was incredibly valuable learning how to work alongside an editor to implement copy edits, line edits, and broader suggestions. I feel that my writing is much better as a result.

When I wasn’t working on a story, I had the opportunity to write blog posts, attend professional journalism forums, and help with CivicStory’s social media presence. Moreover, every day consisted of absorbing a broad range of news stories relating to sustainability, civics, and the humanities. All in all, it was an incredibly enriching eight weeks that I know will help me attain my academic and professional goals. Although I’m unsure of the path ahead, I hope to continue navigating the field of journalism all while staying connected to the amazing team at CivicStory.

Reflections on my role as CivicStory’s Sustainability Ambassador