Our internship program provides college and high school students with practical journalism experience. More than just writing news stories, the program teaches students how to talk to people, conduct interviews, and conduct themselves professionally.
Here’s what our interns are learning and why they joined:
Skills Development
- Interns are trained to conduct interviews, write news articles, and learn the workflow of a local newsroom.
- They practice fact-based reporting and clear, objective writing, particularly for Small Business Spotlight articles.
- Interns receive personalized feedback, with a focus on creating impactful headlines and mastering the posting process.
Program Insights
During a recent meeting, we discussed professional communication and journalistic integrity.
- Interns were shown how to manage their own story assignments and update progress using an organized posting group.
- Kiser emphasized the importance of clear communication, explaining, “As journalists, we strike out all the extra words and get straight to the point.”
Why They Joined
Each intern shared their unique reasons for joining Potomac Local News:
- Jazbia Fasih Chaudhry, from Colgan High School in Woodbridge, said, “I wanted to try something new and gain journalism experience.”
- Rosa Rivera, from Osbourn High School in Manassas, joined because she aspires to pursue a writing career: “This internship is a great opportunity to build my skills for the future.”
- Aya Karouane, of Stafford, recently promoted to Content Manager, noted, “I joined to learn more about my community. Now, I feel more connected to what’s happening locally.”
Real-World Challenges
The interns practice reaching out to local businesses for interviews, facing the real-world challenge of obtaining responses.
- “The hard part is getting people to respond,” Kiser told the group, “but persistence pays off, especially when promoting unique local businesses.”
Our interns are looking to interview small bsuiness owners to write stories about businesses in our community. We’re providing This FREE service to the community in exchange for allowing our interns to interview them. If interested, please email us.
Recent Stories
Fifteen years ago, we set out to do something bold—create a trusted local news source from scratch, for the communities of Prince William and Stafford counties, and the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg. Not a national chain. Not clickbait. Just real, reliable local journalism that puts people first.
The Manassas City Council is preparing to adopt a new policy framework that would allow for public-private partnerships (P3s), aiming to jumpstart long-awaited redevelopment at the Olde Towne Inn site and surrounding properties in downtown.
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Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
