Professional networking phone call with Clare Spaulding

Clare Spaulding is freelance writer in Chicago. Photo from Clare Spaulding’s LinkedIn.

Last month, I had the opportunity to call Clare Spaulding. A graduate from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Spaulding held multiple journalism internships, including at the Texas Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune and the Indianapolis Star. She provided me with professional insight, as I continue searching and applying for journalism internships. Here are five takeaways from our conversation:

1. Say yes. Discomfort supplements growth as a journalist.
2. Apply and apply again. Spaulding didn’t land the Pulliam Fellowship with the Indianapolis Star her first go around. Yet her second time applying she got the job.
3. Don’t be afraid to flex. The skills picked up in courses, like J202, are great application boosters
4. Cover letters are everything. When applying for a journalism internship, Spaulding suggests straying away from the cookie-cutter cover letter. Be creative to stand out.
5. The right internship is worth the wait. Journalism internships aren’t like business internships. The recruitment period is never ending, so it’s okay not knowing summer plans by January