1. Can you please tell us where are you from and what is your college major?
I am from Petoskey, Michigan, which is located in the United States. I attend Central Michigan University. This fall is my last semester at CMU and I will be receiving a Bachelor of Art’s degree with a double major in journalism and French, accompanied by a minor in media design, production and technology. I am a sixth-year senior at CMU.
2. How did you hear about Next Step Connections?
My university requires an internship in any journalism concentration. Since I had traveled/studied abroad prior to my internship in China, I wanted to continue my foreign experience while considering my economic stability. Originally, I planned an internship in Paris, but the tuition rates/cost of program was outrageously expensive. Next Step Connections, however, was not only affordable, but it offered (and continues to offer) many tidbits to aid interns in their experience. NSC, for instance, offers great medical insurance, round-the-clock assistance if needed, special events for interns, arrival and departure pick-ups (which I found to be truly fantastic), etc.
3. Was it difficult obtaining an internship through Next Step Connections?
It was not really that difficult to obtain an internship through NSC, but the application was extensive.
4. What country are you from?
I am from the U.S. and I am double-majoring in journalism and French with a minor in media design, production and technology.
5. What type of internship did you complete with Next Step?
I completed a two-month internship with the Shanghai Business Review magazine. It is the leading English-language business magazine in Shanghai.
6. Did you have a choice of internships to choose from?
Well, technically, I highlighted a few interesting internships on the NSC application; however, NSC set me up with SBR and I was so content with my placement that I didn’t feel the need to change.
7. How do you feel your internship prepared you for the real world after college?
My two-month journalism internship was utterly fantastic - no better explanation. I was involved in several high-profile events; proofread articles and wrote a couple of small clips; and my first feature story was published September 1. In addition to strengthening my skills in journalism, I learned proper business etiquette, which will be beneficial in the future. I also got a glimpse of life in the workplace, the challenge of studying another language, and experience in a very unique culture.
8. Did the internship meet your personal and professional expectations?
Yes, the internship undoubtedly met my personal and professional expectations. I was not nearly expecting to be involved in the magazine and my contributions to the magazine in the two-month span I was there were immediately added to my portfolio.
9. Would you recommend Next Step Connections to a friend?
I have already recommended NSC to a couple of professors and friends. Many students at CMU have only heard of internships intertwined with CMU and I believe it is important for them to know there are more options available. It was more important for me to find an internship not affiliated with CMU, than to find one abroad – and that is exactly what I did thanks to NSC.
10. What do you feel is the best thing about doing an internship abroad?
The best things about doing an internship abroad are the connections made and lessons learned from being abroad. My connections in Asia, though seemingly far away, will absolutely benefit me when I search for journalism careers in the U.S. In addition, any lessons learned from experiences abroad have helped broaden my knowledge of the world, all its cultures, and have created a very adaptive personality.
Be sure to check out Felix and Jonathan's internship experience with Next Step Connections as well.
Jerome Le Carrou, Director of Next Step Connections, talks more about the organization and its mission.
