Each year, Cal Press funds internships to students who demonstrate an exceptional interest in pursuing careers in the news media business in California. This year, four students were chosen to receive $2,500 educational grants at the start of their internships.
Katherine Swartz, a student at the University of California in Santa Barbra, is one of the students to receive a grant from Cal Press this summer. She is currently a summer reporting for The Sacramento Bee’s Capitol Bureau.
(Katherine Swartz, above, received an internship grant from Cal Press this summer. Photo courtesy of: Katherine Swartz.)
She said working at The Bee has transformed her journalism skills and helped her to develop her writing.
“Prior to my internship, I spent most of my time and attention on reporting/interviewing and spent less time on the writing and editing process,” said Swartz. “My editors have been so helpful in taking the time to get my writing skills to the next level. Instead of just changing my articles, they call me and talk through edits and give me the space to make my work better.
Zaeem Shaikh was another recipient of a Cal Press internship grant. He studies journalism and political science at Fresno State University and is currently a reporting intern for The Sacramento Bee.
He said that he has been leaning the fundamentals of covering breaking news stories, crime, courts, fires, and crashes.
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(Zaeem Shaikh received an internship grant from Cal Press this summer. He is pictured here with one of his published articles. Photo courtesy of: Zaeem Shaikh.)
“I definitely made my fair share of mistakes and encountered roadblocks along the way, but I've been persistent and learned from them,” said Shaikh. “I've been really lucky to have great editors who not only provide a lot of feedback but also trust me with bigger opportunities. I've learned to take each challenge day by day, trust my instincts, and read every day to improve my own writing."
Margo Rosenbaum, a student at the University of California Davis, also received an internship grant this summer. She is currently a reporting intern for The Sacramento Bee.
(Margo Rosenbaum, above, received a Cal Press internship grant this summer. Photo courtesy of: Margo Rosenbaum.)
She said that while her work at The Bee has been primarily remote due COVID-19 restrictions, she is looking forward to continuing her work through the summer.
“I have learned so much from my editors and colleagues, such as the importance of concise writing and how to use writing tools to grab the attention of my readers,” said Rosenbaum. “I have done some in-person reporting in Davis and Sacramento, which have been great learning experiences. At these assignments, I have worked alongside photographers, knocked on doors to interview people and covered demonstrations.”
Carl Schoemig also received an internship grant from Cal Press this summer. He currently interns at Palm Springs Life Magazine, focusing on advertising and marketing.
(Carl Schoemig, above, received an internship grant from Cal Press. Photo courtesy of: Carl Schoemig.)
“I learned about bulk subscriptions and how to research and approach organizations here in the Coachella Valley,” said Schoemig. “I learned how the different departments work together to make sure those offers are set up on a website and ads will be ready which the organizations share with their members and employees.”
In addition to his advertising and marketing work, he has authored several current articles highlighting current Palm Springs happenings.
Applications are accepted each summer from full-time 3.0+ GPA college sophomores, juniors, or seniors pursuing journalism, advertising, or marketing careers.
For more information about our internship program, please contact Joe Wirt, (916) 288-6021.
A list of all previous interns, since 1996, is at www.cal-press.org.