Madeleine Cook, IAC, Interns at NPR


April 29, 2020

67 Interns

I’m a multimedia intern for NPR’s Science desk -- I work for two specific online blogs: Goats & Soda (all about journalism in developing countries) and Shots (public health). I don’t have an extensive background in science, so it’s really be an incredible way for me to dive headfirst into the world of research studies and statistics! Interning at NPR is like no other experience I have had.

I sit right next to Skunkbear, an engaging video series about all sorts of science subjects. Every week, the Science and Visual desks get together to watch the work produced in the preceding week. Skunkbear recently produced an amazing piece about the science of going through a breakup, and brain therapy that can make it easier! Check it out here, it’s incredible. (The interns had a get-together one night at someone’s desk and I made everyone watch it, that’s how into it I am.)

Speaking of interns, at previous internships I’ve had one or two co-interns that I have seen each week, if at all. At NPR, there are 67 interns spread across the eight floors of the building in North Capitol, each in a unique position contributing to the public radio empire. Every week, experienced staff host brown-bag lunches for the interns to gather and talk about how to improve and succeed in the journalism industry. It’s one of the most special parts about being an intern here, and I’m grateful for the chance to connect with so many young professionals that I’ll most certainly rub elbows with for the rest of my journalism career.

My first photography assignment was to photograph Jill Biden, at The Anthem on the Wharf. What was the former second lady doing at the brand-new music stage in Southwest, you might ask? She was holding the Biden Cancer Initiative Summit, a nonprofit she runs with her husband, Joe, to lobby for the cancer community. I sat in on the taping of her interview for All Things Considered, one of NPR’s most noted programs, and then made her picture on the Anthem’s stage that was swathed in white for the Summit.

Speaking of thrilling things, NPR also provides free coffee. Every office should -- do you know how easy it is for me to get out of bed and into the office in the morning knowing I’m going to make an espresso I don’t have to pay for?

Another perk of working at NPR? A few times a week, people from all over the building cram into the Music department to witness the Tiny Desk performances (found here). Florence and the Machine came to perform, and I was able to bring my friend to watch! Afterwards, we ate at Soundbytes, NPR’s incredible cafeteria. I had a vegetable lasagna today that made me weep.

I’ve worked here about a month now, coming into the office four days a week, and there’s always something new and exciting to do. I pore over the news, absorbing current events and learning a plethora of things I didn’t know the day before. Some days are challenging (NPR has hundreds of computer and TV screens across the giant newsroom, and every one of them was blaring the devastating Kavanaugh hearing), others are plucked straight from a dream (I met Joe Biden and then got cheese fries at Shake Shack), but every day is worth it. I’m so grateful to WLP for helping relieve some of the financial stress of taking an unpaid internship at an incredible network.