NYC Gazette

Jordan D. Brown, a graduate student at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute’s Reporting the Nation program, has secured an internship at the Washington Post this summer. This position holds particular significance as it is not only with a leading national publication but also her hometown paper; she was born and raised in Bowie, Prince George's County, Maryland.

Brown shared her journey to landing this coveted role: “I was rejected from this internship twice before applying again for this summer’s cycle,” she said. “I dedicated myself to improving my craft and working to become a better journalist so that I could be the best candidate for the next intern class. When I received the offer in December 2023, I was thrilled that my hard work paid off, but I could not let that distract me from the new goals I set for myself in order to be successful in this role.”

As an intern on the Metro desk, Brown covers local news stories across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. She described her responsibilities: "I have to find unique, local stories and pitch them to my editor. Reporting on emerging news means that I have to meet fast-paced deadlines under high pressure." Her assignments range from profiles on business owners to coverage of incidents such as a tragic car accident involving three prominent football players.

One of Brown's favorite aspects of her role is building connections within the community. "In local news, it’s extremely important to build direct connections with the community," she stated. She added that receiving company merchandise like a Washington Post backpack has been another perk.

During lunch breaks, Brown enjoys eating on the rooftop with fellow interns and attending brown bag sessions hosted by seasoned reporters and editors at The Washington Post.

Looking ahead, Brown expressed her aspirations: "For a dream job I would love to do something similar to what I'm doing now: covering a local community and finding ways to tell unique stories that we don't often hear or see." She emphasized her interest in focusing on minorities and communities of color while incorporating her skills in writing, photography, and multimedia.

Brown acknowledged those who have supported her journey: "This internship has granted me real-life experiences as a journalist... I also have to thank my family and NYU professors for supporting me and helping me get to where I am today."

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