Balancing the workload of an internship, cornerstone project, and student reporter is no easy feat, but definitely rewarding.
By Rafael Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
If you had asked me two years ago where I saw myself by graduation, I would’ve responded with what I told my parents: “I know I got this.”
Fast-forward to my final semester, and I find myself in one of the busiest, most demanding, and ultimately most rewarding chapters of my college career.
As a journalism student, I took on what I call the “Big Three”: a reporting internship with EdSource, our student-run newspaper The Bulletin, and a capstone multimedia senior project. Each of these experiences came with deadlines, interviews, editing, problem-solving, and endless workloads. But they also gave me a glimpse of what life in journalism is really about.
Putting it all to print: the campus beat
Working on The Bulletin gave me one of the most hands-on journalism experiences of my college career. The paper prints every two weeks, and our pitch meetings focused on stories that mattered to students. From campus events and student life to sports and opinion pieces, it was our job to inform, represent, and engage our community. The newsroom taught me to think and write like a journalist—and to be ambitious.
For every issue, we contacted and interviewed sources, transcribed notes, and wrote our stories under tight deadlines. Last-minute edits and unexpected changes were all part of the process. The work didn’t stop at writing—we sourced photos, collaborated with editors, and ensured our stories were polished, accurate, and complete before going to print.
The Bulletin is a class, technically, but it demanded far more than just showing up to class. It took real time, passion, and flexibility. The class meets at night—this was a first for me—so I adjusted my schedule to accommodate it, finishing all my other work earlier in the day so I could give the newsroom my full attention.
Putting it all into practice: the internship
As part of the EdSource California Student Journalism Corps, I joined student journalists from across the state in reporting on education-related issues. We met twice a week over Zoom to collaborate on pitches, share updates, and receive editorial feedback. We committed 10 hours each week to ensure our stories were consistent and accurate.
My contributions ranged from finding sources to reporting on pressing topics like undocumented and unhoused students, and producing a commentary piece about living independently while pursuing my degree. With interviews often scheduled on weekends and deadlines overlapping with classwork, my schedule filled up fast. Managing it all while staying organized and professional was one of the biggest challenges—and lessons—of the semester.
One of the most valuable parts of the internship was working closely with an editor and mentor. I received real-time critiques—sometimes in front of the entire cohort—which helped me sharpen my writing and reporting skills. I learned to be quick on my feet by following up with additional sources as stories developed and asking more pointed questions during interviews.
Putting it all together: the senior project
For my capstone project, I created a multimedia journalism package that included an article, a podcast, and a short video. The package centered on the misrepresentation of DACA recipients in mainstream media. My goal was to tell a more accurate, human-centered story about individuals protected under the program and the real impact DACA has had on their lives.
This project gave me the opportunity to interview several inspiring DACA recipients who have thrived despite challenges. Through Zoom interviews and in-person reporting, I traveled north to agricultural fields in Santa Maria and explored produce warehouses in downtown Los Angeles to gather firsthand accounts, quotes, and visuals. These voices revealed the complexity of the immigration system, but also the resilience and success stories that are too often overlooked.
Each component of the project required a different skill set. I compiled my video footage, produced an audio podcast from scratch, wrote an in-depth article, and designed a website to bring it all together.
This was the most intensive project I’ve worked on, but also the most rewarding. I had to outline every piece carefully, troubleshoot unfamiliar editing software, and watch tutorials to fill in the gaps. While I had done smaller multimedia assignments in other classes, nothing compared to the scale and purpose of this one.
Putting it all behind me: the next challenge
Balancing The Bulletin, EdSource, and my senior project all in one semester was one of the most demanding experiences of my college journey. I got a real taste of what it’s like to work in a professional newsroom: juggling multiple deadlines, staying organized under pressure, and constantly shifting between roles—reporter, editor, producer, designer.
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that deadlines are non-negotiable. In the real world, there’s no extension for “almost done.” While professors may offer some flexibility, the work ethic has to come from within. Whether it’s a class project or a newsroom assignment, you are an essential part of the process—reliability matters.
If there’s one thing I’d share with students approaching their final semesters, it’s to plan ahead. Talk to your academic advisor early, know what’s required, and be strategic about how you’ll balance your workload. It might feel like you have plenty of time, but graduation comes faster than you think. Taking on internships, campus media, and your senior project all at once is possible but only with preparation, time management, and a clear sense of purpose. Set yourself up for success, and you’ll walk away with more than just a diploma; you’ll leave with real experience.
Looking back, it’s clear how much changed in just a few semesters. What once felt overwhelming became a rhythm I learned to work with. I built confidence, sharpened my voice, and learned to navigate the fast pace with purpose. I’m leaving not just with a degree but with the experience and mindset of someone ready for the newsroom, chaos and all.