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This internship has definitely made me more conscious of answering the question in my writing about why things are happening, more conscious of adding context and history to whatever I'm writing about.
Elena Eisenstadt, 2025 intern University of Chicago, '26
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I don't think I could have done anything else this summer that would have contributed more to me being able to look for a job in journalism and feel qualified to have a full-time reporting job in the future than this internship, whether even if it's like not reporting on government in Pennsylvania, whatever it is I am definitely going to be able to translate that experience.
Vincent DiFonzo, 2025 intern Gettysburg College, '25 I sometimes joke that Pennsylvania is the center of the universe, and it was the utmost privilege to be at the heart of it all for a summer.
Even what some might consider mundane was electrifying. From credit card interchange fees to high school sports policy, I couldn’t get enough. And just when everything should’ve slowed down after the state budget gridlock was broken, everything sped up — a former president was shot in the commonwealth, the incumbent dropped out of the race, and our governor was within arm’s reach of the Democratic vice presidential nod. I couldn’t imagine getting into all of this coming from my small college newspaper, and because of the PLCA, I’m certain journalism needs to be a part of my future. The top-notch journalists of the PLCA taught me so much about how my state runs and how to be a better writer and reporter. This internship is an experience you can brag about, and I certainly have. Trebor Maitin, 2024 intern Lafayette College, '24 My first day interning with the PLCA, I can remember showing up to the Capitol, trying to make sure my nerves weren't noticeable. In a matter of minutes, all of my nerves turned to excitement when I met the kind, welcoming and hard-workings members of the PLCA.
I came in with a lot of writing experience, but little political reporting work. Despite this, every single person I came in contact with was willing to take time out of their busy schedules to help me improve my skills. I can't count how many times checked up on to make sure I was confident and comfortable. My 10 weeks with the PLCA gave me more experience and connections than any other internship. Not only did I get bylines in five high-profile and well regarded outlets, but I met mentors that I will always be grateful for. I could not recommend this internship enough. Anyone who is lucky enough to take part will walk away a better writer and reporter. Samuel O'Neal, 2023 Intern Temple University When I walked up the steps of the state Capitol building in Harrisburg for the first time, I was extremely nervous. I had never been in the Capitol complex, despite being a Pennsylvania native, and I had little background reporting on the state’s political scheme. I remember wondering what I would think walking down the Capitol steps on my last day, and if I would find all the nerves worth it. I can now confidently say that applying for the PLCA Internship is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I made more connections in one summer than I did at any of my past internships combined. By rotating around the newsroom, I had the chance to meet editors at the state’s top news outlets and connect with seasoned reporters. Every single reporter I worked with genuinely cared about me and my stories and took time out of their busy schedule to address any concerns or questions I had. The stories I had the chance to write were unlike anything I could’ve imagined. I covered breaking news and pressing issues for the state, and with the help of the reporters I worked with, I never felt like I was given a story I couldn’t handle. I also had the chance to work one-on- one with a veteran reporter who went over specific word choices in my writing and gave me helpful feedback. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to be a successful journalist. DaniRae Renno, 2023 Intern Elizabethtown College I was undoubtedly nervous walking into the Capitol on my first as an intern for the Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents’ Association. I’d written a few stories about local politics and government, but nothing about the state. I had never even been to Harrisburg before I moved into my summer apartment, so I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with the opportunity that was given to me. The first day completely changed those thoughts.
Every reporter I was paired with went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed to learn and grow as a journalist. They helped me come up with story ideas, reach out to who I wanted to interview and they sat down with me through each step of the editing process to make sure I understood what could make my writing better. They left me to be independent and figure out what I needed to do, but they were always close by if I needed help. By the end of the 12 week program, I felt like I was just another one of the reporters in the newsroom and I had the confidence to tackle stories I couldn’t even imagine going into the internship. This internship connected me with so many talented people that have been a consistent source of advice as I have looked for a job after graduation. Any student looking to become a political reporter should apply for this program. There is no other experience like it. Jaxon White, 2022 Intern Bucknell University, Class of 2023 Working as a PLCA intern was one of the most invaluable, challenging and wonderful experiences I have ever had! At the beginning, I was struggling with imposter syndrome, wondering if the past four years in college have done enough to prepare me to work with experienced reporters at the Capitol. But when I got there, it all melted away as I met them and realized how they were eager to help me grow in this field.
This was my first time doing political coverage, and I really enjoyed being front and center of the legislative process. It was amazing to see how bills can change someone’s life and I got to be able to write about it as soon as it happened. I got to speak with many people from so many different backgrounds. And I truly appreciate being able to actively pursue interviews and pitch articles about things that I am passionate about. The reporters from every news outlet shared that commonality: passion. And they made sure to express how important that is in writing meaningful pieces that resonate with readers. My writing also changed drastically. Every single person that I worked with guided me through their creative processes, and gave me many jewels of wisdom that will last for the rest of my career. I also built wonderful working relationships, and will always be thankful to have been able to work alongside them after connecting for such a short amount of time. Luckily, we were determined to make every moment count. And we did. Shaniece Holmes-Brown, 2021 intern Lincoln University, Class of 2021 PLCA is an ideal introduction to political reporting for young journalists. Coming into the internship, I had no experience covering state government, but I was trusted with important stories, given guidance and constructive feedback on my work, and even given the opportunity to pitch my own story ideas.
Even during another pandemic summer where newsrooms worked remote or hybrid, editors took care to make sure I was getting the experience I wanted, and made sure I could cover events and conduct interviews in person whenever I could. I covered Biden’s visit to a Macungie truck plant, a protest at the Capitol where four organizers were arrested, and Gov. Tom Wolf’s visit to a business incubator in Bethlehem. I covered stories on hard-hitting topics like college student hunger, statewide unemployment and the push to increase Pennsylvania’s $7.25 minimum wage. Stories I covered for Spotlight PA and other outlets were syndicated across front pages all over Pennsylvania. Being treated like a professional, full-time journalist is the best part of this internship — it gave me the confidence and skills I needed to grow as a journalist, and helped me land a full-time job once the summer ended. I can’t recommend it more for any college juniors and seniors interested in statehouse reporting! Lindsay Weber, 2021 intern Macalaster College, Class of 2021 My internship with the PLCA has taught me so much about how state government works, and it also introduced me to a politically competitive legislative environment. The rotational structure of the program places an emphasis on the hard work that goes into refining a story and explaining complex political or policy topics in such a way so that it is relevant and meaningful for the readers of that individual publication. Quickly, you learn that you have the ability — with the guidance of some of the best long-time, experienced state Capitol reporters and editors — to learn a large, sophisticated state bureaucracy and political environment and hold your own in tackling important urgent issues and stories of statewide significance.
The confidence a PLCA intern walks away with is perhaps the best intangible part of the internship. PLCA interns become accustomed to interviewing lawmakers, questioning department secretaries and connecting decisions made in Harrisburg to everyday Pennsylvanians. I really grew to appreciate state Capitol coverage. I realized just how important the work is and why this program and accountability journalism is so important to the health of the state. And you learn quickly how past decisions — education funding, property tax rate, staff levels at the Department of Environmental Protection — really shape the lives of the state's residents. You'd be hard-pressed to find an internship program that gets you this level of exposure, is this practical and high-profile and gives you opportunities to cover this many different topics for such a variety of publications and audiences. If you want to move up from covering your local city council, this is the best place to start. Pennsylvania is, frankly, just such an interesting place to cover state politics and government. There are lots of different perspectives on issues and it is annually a hotly contested state for whatever positions happen to be on the ballot that year. There is no shortage of policy oriented or political stories to tell in the Keystone State. Come learn, grow and get better through this program. Jordan Wolman, 2020 intern Lehigh University 2020 was not the year anyone expected — a racial-justice movement, a presidential election, unprecedented unemployment, and a global public-health crisis. I, like many other college students, was excited to spend my last summer as a University of Iowa student completing an internship in a different part of the country, covering a state government that wildly differs from the Iowa Statehouse.
What was supposed to be a 12-week internship at the state Capitol turned into a remote job I was able to do from my home in Illinois. Still, I learned an incredible amount about government reporting and have dozens of clips that I’m really proud of. I felt like a fish out of water during my first couple weeks covering the Legislature, but there were so many talented editors and reporters who were willing to communicate with me over email and telephone daily. Even from two states away, I still felt like I was getting hands-on experience. I wrote enterprise stories about student-loan debt and the hardships farmers faced amid COVID-19, and I was also pushed out of my comfort zone with a couple of campaign finance and public record stories. I really felt like I was writing important stories and stories that mattered, and I had a lot of autonomy to pitch ideas that I wanted to pursue. With the help of editors, reporters, and the fast-paced environment, I quickly became familiar with a state I had previously never been to. If you’re someone from outside of Pennsylvania and want state government reporting experience, this internship absolutely can be done! I truly cannot speak highly enough of this program. I can’t think of any other internship program where I would have received that level of mentorship, independence, and a wide variety of clips that I’m proud to show any potential employer. I knew going into the internship that I had a passion for political reporting, but this program helped to realize that political reporting is a realistic career for me — and that I really enjoyed doing it full time. I would absolutely encourage anyone with a strong desire to grow as a political reporter to apply for this program. Julia Shanahan, 2020 intern University of Iowa |
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