News Summary
Los Angeles has welcomed a diverse group of 26 interns for a summer training program in multimedia journalism at the El Segundo newsroom. Selected from nearly 1,000 applications, these interns are poised to gain experience in various areas such as breaking news, data-driven reporting, and arts writing. The program aims to build the next generation of journalists by fostering diverse voices and perspectives. With backgrounds in multiple academic disciplines and hands-on experiences, the interns are set to contribute significantly to the newsroom’s storytelling capabilities.
Los Angeles has welcomed a promising group of 26 interns for the summer of 2025, who will receive extensive training in multimedia journalism at the El Segundo newsroom. This initiative, rooted in tradition, aims to cultivate the next generation of journalists equipped with vital skills to thrive in a dynamic media landscape.
The diverse cohort was selected from nearly 1,000 applications, showcasing a wide array of talent and perspectives. The interns are set to embark on their journey starting this Tuesday, arriving with innovative ideas and a palpable enthusiasm for storytelling.
Interns come from numerous academic institutions across the United States and California, representing various disciplines and experiences. Some participants bring international storytelling skills, while others have a focus on local topics, including arts, education, innovation, and migration. The profiles highlight their diverse backgrounds, with prior experiences working alongside policymakers, cancer researchers, entrepreneurs, and illustrators.
The interns will be engaged in multifaceted assignments throughout the newsroom. Their tasks will cover an assortment of areas, including breaking news coverage, data-driven reporting, design, photography, and arts and entertainment writing. The array of experiences and interests within the group is expected to contribute significantly to the newsroom’s objectives and storytelling capabilities.
Organizations and educational initiatives playing a substantial role in the selection process for the internship include Cal State Los Angeles, the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, the NAACP, the Dow Jones News Fund, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Asian American Journalists Association. Each of these organizations values the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in journalism, which aligns with the aims of the internship program.
Notable interns in this year’s class include Annie Goodykoontz from the University of Missouri-Columbia, known for her experience in breaking news reporting, and Aspen Anderson, a recent graduate from the University of Washington with a focus on legislative reporting. Avery Fox from the University of Texas at Austin showcases a passion for design and editorial layout, while Cate Burtner from Stanford University brings a rich background in storytelling and editing.
Additional prominent interns include Christopher Buchanan from UCLA, co-founder of a magazine dedicated to diverse topics, and Diamy Wang from the University of Pennsylvania, who has a strong campus media presence. The group also features notable talent from various backgrounds, including Elisha Williams, a digital journalism major from the University of Southern Mississippi, and Fazlur Rahman, a former business journalist from Bangladesh who is now pursuing journalism in Nevada.
Other standout interns include Hailey Wang from UC Berkeley, with experience in data reporting and interactive storytelling, Ira Gorawara, a junior from UCLA focusing on sports journalism, and Isabelle Nunes, a media studies and political science student with extensive editorial involvement. The cohort also brings in unique perspectives through graduates like June Hsu from Pomona College, and undergraduates such as Kara Alexander from Cal State L.A., focusing on community issues and campus sports.
Among those making significant strides in journalism, Katerina Portela from San Diego State University stands out with her investigative experience. Lauren Harvey from USC is also making waves as a graduate student in communication data science, while Lauren Ng from NYU merges journalism with food studies to explore food culture in-depth.
The intern class further exemplifies diversity with individuals like Luke Johnson, a documentary photojournalist, and Lupita Fernandez Garcia from UCLA, a rising senior advocating for community representation. Others such as Marcos Magaña focus on environment and sustainability issues, while Niamh Ordner from Rice University shows interest in science writing.
Finally, emerging voices like Nicole Macias Garibay, focused on migration and Latino culture, and Piper Heath, intertwining journalism with political science, highlight the cohort’s commitment to impactful storytelling. Quinae Austin, a first-generation college student, aims to elevate underrepresented voices, and Quincy Bowie Jr. explores identity and culture through multimedia journalism.
Completing this diverse assembly of talent is Samantha H. Chung from Harvard, with a passion for arts reporting and criticism, and Zurie Pope Jr., who focuses on investigative journalism in the realms of politics and social issues. This summer, the Los Angeles Times internship program promises to cultivate a rich learning environment for its interns, setting the stage for their successful journeys in journalism.
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Additional Resources
- LA Times: Class of 2025 Summer Interns
- LA Times: Class of 2025 Spring Interns
- LA Times: 2025 HS Insider Summer Internship
- Google Search: Journalism Internship
- LA Times: Cal State LA & JPL Partnership
- Wikipedia: Journalism
