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:
- Say yes. Discomfort supplements growth as a journalist.
- 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.
- Don’t be afraid to flex. The skills picked up in courses, like J202, are great application boosters
- 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.
- 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