Although the pace of the Fall 2025 session is picking up, SJMC students are taking on the semester with ease by bringing unique experiences and real-world skills into the classroom; those of which they gained from their local, national or international summer internships.

Internships in journalism and related fields are crucial to helping soon-to-be media professionals get an edge in competitive job markets; that is, through their offering of connections and real-world application of media skills. All of the following SJMC students were able to add these experiences to their resumé, and each of them have a compelling story to tell.

Starting off in Plymouth, Minnesota, Mia Boulton—who minors in sport and recreation management—has worked as a Digital Content Intern at Prep Network since 2024. Her primary role consists of gathering and using data in order to determine the best ways to stimulate platform growth. However, her role with the outlet expands well-beyond this realm.

“I also support the newsletter process by helping distribute content to our subscriber lists, check in on scout coverage to ensure it meets publishing standards, and pitch in on a variety of content projects like event coverage prep and outreach to third-party media,” she said.

Moving down southeast, Katrina Arsenijevic—who minors in communication studies—interned with All Points Public Relations in Chicago, Illinois. During her time there, she created media lists, wrote detailed pieces and sent in pitches to secure press access for clients. She also participated in professional development opportunities and positive impact initiatives designed for employees, she said.

Also working in the Windy City, Erika Safrin—who, along with journalism, majors in sport media and culture—gained experience as a marketing intern with Daniels Health. There, she wrote blogs for global entities, created internal communications stories and developed newsletter/sales campaign emails. Each day, she also worked on the company’s website, striving to optimize blog content to improve SEO performance.

“Through these experiences, I was able to apply and refine my writing and strategic thinking skills I’ve developed in the journalism school,” she said.

Staying within the 312, Sophie Reed—who is working toward minor degrees in sport media and culture as well as sport and recreation management—had the opportunity to work with the Chicago White Sox as a marketing intern. She worked events at Rate Field and other places around Chicago, marketed the team and interacted with fans.

“Some of the events I had the privilege to work are the Chicago Pride Parade as well as doing activities outside the stadium with the amazing Street Team and Gameday Marketing crew,” she said.

Heading back home to Des Moines, Iowa, SJMC senior Zoe Marckmann—who is also a marketing major—spent her summer as a Social Media Marketing Intern at Athene. She spent her time improving the company’s LinkedIn presence, contributing to the social media calendar and developing original brand campaigns.

“It was an incredible experience applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world projects…I’m grateful for this experience and to have been a part of such a driven and innovative team,” she said.

Staying at the capital, Sydney Parker—who also majors in political science and minors in African American studies—carried out a communications and content creation internship at the National Senior Games Association. Each day, she was given a new assignment, which may have entailed writing a story for the website, collecting videos/photos and crafting social media posts.

“I had strict, daily deadlines for these tasks, and I learned a lot about writing and video editing,” she said.

Also in Des Moines, Madolyn Lewis—who is working toward a media management minor and an entrepreneurial management certificate—gained “rich” experiences during her time as a marketing intern at the Iowa Lottery. She said that every day looked different. Depending on the day, she may have been prepping for and traveling to events, promoting campaigns, engaging with members of the public, or even managing promotions.

“I’m thankful for the amazing staff at the Lottery—including the two other interns I worked with—who taught me so much and helped me build meaningful connections,” she said.

Sticking around the 515, Fatima Salinas Gutierrez—who is pursuing a cinema minor and writing certificate—spent her summer as a marketing and branding assistant at the K. Johnson Studio. She primarily focused on brand engagement through the company’s website and social media pages. She also worked directly with clients as well as worked with various companies to help them enhance their content production and engagement.

Representing the heart of the state, Chris Meglio—who also majors in sport media and culture—gained reporting and writing experience during his time as a news intern for The Des Moines Register. Although he is a sportswriter here at the university, he primarily covered news and politics during his internship.

“I wrote over 70 stories throughout the 10-week internship and covered some unique events such as President Donald Trump's America250 Kick-Off Rally, an Iowa Street Corn event on the Capitol steps featuring Gov. Kim Reynolds, and the Iowa State Fair,” he said.

Also contributing to Iowa’s capital city, Will Bower—who additionally majors in history as well as public health—was a communications and marketing intern for BHE Renewables this past summer. He said his day-to-day responsibilities consisted of drafting social media copy, attending meetings, peer-reviewing content and building relations with his colleagues.

Along these same lines, Bower contributed to more long-term projects as well through writing full-length articles for the quarterly newsletter, organizing as well as promoting a recurring event, and enhancing employer branding by developing LinkedIn materials.

“This (past) summer was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the world of corporate communications,” he said.

Remaining around the metro, Sam Peterson—who is working toward an entrepreneurial management certificate—was a marketing and events intern for the Adventureland Resort in Altoona, Iowa; his hometown! His role was defined by a mixture of direct operational involvement and strategic support.

“...I contributed directly to the success of our corporate partner program and the seamless execution of corporate outing events and contributing to different community and publicity campaigns,” he said.

A little further east within the state, Lena Ahrens—who will also graduate with a sustainability certificate—contributed to the Happy Joe’s Support Center as a marketing and video intern. Over the course of the summer, she created three elaborate videos in order to promote the business’ brand. She also assisted with building relationships with other companies.

“I got to interview many franchisees about their stories during their time with Happy Joe’s and how it’s such a special restaurant for families to make magical memories in,” she said.

Although SJMC students traveled all over to gain real-world experiences, a couple of students demonstrated that there are incredibly insightful internship opportunities right here on the University of Iowa campus. Mackenzie Fenwick—who is pursuing a nonprofit leadership and philanthropy certificate as well as a psychology minor—spent her summer as an intern for the university’s Center for Advancement.

“Getting to be the Corporate and Community Development/Children’s Miracle Network Intern was the most fulfilling way to spend my summer here in Iowa City,” she said. “...From getting to work with our CMN partners like Dairy Queen to sourcing out auction items for our Swing Fore Stead event at Pinseekers, I had the chance to really refine the skills necessary to be a successful philanthropy professional.”

Also representing SJMC right here on campus, Jordan Luebchow—who is also a cinema major—completed a multimedia internship with UI Healthcare. She and the marketing communications team filmed this year’s Kid Captain Program. Luebchow even got the opportunity to edit four Kid Captain videos herself.

“Working behind the scenes at shoots to creating the big photo wall, this internship taught me not just the importance of storytelling, but the impact stories can have on others and how much meaning there is in being part of something bigger than myself,” she said.

Heading on over to the Quad-City area, Roxy Exberg—who also majors in political science—spent her summer as a news intern for The Quad-City Times. As a result of covering news across state lines, she became quite familiar with each state’s local government practices and laws. She also got the chance to work with award-winning journalists, report on local news, craft feature stories and strengthen her multimedia storytelling skills.

“I met so many wonderful people in and out of the journalism industry this summer,” she said. “It was a great experience to be a part of that newsroom.”

Jumping back up north, friends AJ Reisetter—who is working toward a minor in sport and recreation management as well as an entrepreneurial management certificate—and Aiden Wirtz—a sport media and culture minor—both interned with the Spearfish Sasquatch baseball team in Spearfish, South Dakota. As a broadcast intern, Reisetter not only gained reporting skills, but he also gained a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interview two-time World Series Champion and MVP Ben Zobrist.

“There are not too many opportunities you get to meet and talk with a guy that has reached the pinnacle of his career, but I was given that experience, and it’s one I’ll never forget,” he said.

Alongside Reisetter, Wirtz worked as a production intern. In this role, he worked on YouTube broadcasts and worked with all things technical; that is, setting up cameras, doing color commentary and pulling up graphics/ads.

“I was able to meet the players, learn their stories, interact with fans, and grow as a coworker and person there,” he said. “It was amazing.”

Not only do internships offer industry experience and valuable skills necessary to stick out in a competitive job market, but they also allow individuals to explore new places. Wirtz said that in his free time, he took multiple trips to the canyon as well as other parks in surrounding states.

Right next door to Reisetter and Wirtz, Blake Blechner—who minors in Spanish—spent his summer as a social media intern for the Minot Hot Tots and Honeybees. In this role, he managed the team’s social media accounts, created live gameday content, produced media to keep fans engaged on off days and collaborated with other media interns. With his help, the team’s engagement on social media skyrocketed.

“Together, me and my team doubled our following on Instagram, helping lead the way for a new generation of fans, especially for a newer team,” he said. 

Representing SJMC at the nation’s capital, James McCurtis III—who also studies ethics and public policy (sociology)—interned for the National Press Club’s Journalism Institute in Washington D.C. During his time there, he worked events for club members as well as reported and wrote for their daily newsletter, The Latest.

“...I wrote everything from tip sheets to Q&As,” he said. “Tip sheets were guides specializing in a specific area of journalism that our readers could use to better their skills. Q&As were interviews I led with prominent journalists, delving into the specifics of their unique jobs.”

Hopping across the Atlantic Ocean for this final experience, Grace Lathrop—who is working toward an event management certificate—worked as an intern at Vatican News in Vatican City—a city-state found entirely within the bounds of Rome, Italy. During her time there, she published articles, recorded bits for radio and interviewed notable guests, including the cast of “The Chosen.”

“I am forever grateful to Vatican News for giving me so many opportunities and for being so welcoming,” she said. “Calling Rome my home for the summer was truly a dream come true!”

For more information about internship opportunities and how to get involved just like these 20 ambitious students, feel free to reach out to Michelle Sillman–SJMC’s Recruitment, Internship and Placement Coordinator–at michelle-sillman@uiowa.edu. Also feel free to visit SJMC's Instagram page to learn more about these exceptional students and their summer internships.