Oklahoman interns NewsOK.com Blogging Community

Here’s the funny thing about good-byes:

You can see them coming, but when you actually have to say those two dreaded words. . . it’s never easy.

That’s how I feel today, with less than four hours left in my Oklahoman internship.

I couldn’t agree more with Richard and Dontay: This experience has been invaluable to me beyond words, and looking back now, I can’t believe how much I’ve learned.

Like I’ve told my editors, the only reason I came to Oklahoma was because of the glowing reputation for The Oklahoman’s internship program. I had no ties to this state, so there was no other incentive for me to come here. Yet I couldn’t be more glad with the choice I made! This internship program surpassed its great reputation, and I’ve found Oklahoma has the same “Midwestern nice” qualities I’ve been familiar with all my life, which is a comfort and a joy.

Like Richard, I also find myself wondering, “What if?” [What if I didn’t find the courage within to take risks and travel to places I’ve never been?] Well, then I’d certainly have regrets.

But that’s not the case. I’ve treasured every moment here in Oklahoma - even the stressful ones.

I came here wanting to improve my writing and gain experience in multimedia - and I feel like I did just that. Plus, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some amazingly talented reporters, editors and photographers, who’ve each helped me become a better journalist.

I’ll walk away from here with improved skills and new friendships that I hope will last. [That means you, fellow interns!]

It’s sad to be saying good-bye. But as I’ve been saying to my colleagues here, it’s only good-bye for now. This certainly won’t be the last you hear from me.

Thank you, Oklahoman, for everything you’ve given me this summer. It’s been a wonderful ride.

~ Kristen M. Daum, City Desk intern at The Oklahoman.

When today closes, the summer 2008 internship class at The Oklahoman officially graduates. It’s been about two months since the class first met at that oh-so-long one-two punch called orientation. I think it’s safe for me to speak for everyone when I say these two months have flown by. I also think it’s safe of me to speak for everyone when I say we’ll be walking out of here with a tighter grip on our craft. After all, that was the point of this internship.

As I sit in the newsroom at 7:50 a.m. this fine Friday, I find myself wondering “what if?” What if I never talked to Joe Hight, who mentioned an internship to me? What if I never acted on it? What if I went to college to study chemisty like I had planned? Oh, what ifs are fun to think about. But sometimes I’d rather not ask that question; I’d rather just relish in the moment.

This two-month period has been one gigantic moment, and I’ve relished it to the point of exhaustion.

There are no regrets from this intern. And to quote Bilbo Baggins: “I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” Kidding about the second part.

So, fellow interns, and even you, bosses and bigwigs: it’s been good. (And feel free to hire me at any time.)

-Richard Hall, NewsOK.com

I’m obviously somewhat unfamiliar with Oklahoma customs - thus, my appalling reaction to one recreational past-time: Noodling.

Sunday’s Oklahoman featured a multimedia package on the nine Okie Noodling Tournament. Again, I’m a little taken aback that this is considered a sport - but even more so, that it’s a full-blown tournament!

In my ol’ stomping grounds of the northern plains, deer-hunting and regular fishing were the typical outdoor activities. Certainly, there was nothing that involved sticking your hand in an unseen hole just to have an animal bite your arm up to your elbow!!

I get a confused look on my face just thinking about it, but when I actually see it being done, I cringe:

I can see the argument for getting an adrenaline rush out of it, but it just looks and sounds painful! I have to give credit to those of you noodlers who are brave enough to try it and thrive from it.

The closest thing I’ve ever come to noodling: Testing my worth at the Bocca della Verità in the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome. The legend goes that if you place your hand in the “Mouth of Truth” and are found unworthy, the mouth will close on your arm.

Apparently, I must be worthy, or just plain lucky - because I still have my arm.

… but I don’t know if I can say the same for noodlers. Catfish might be a little less forgiving.

~ Kristen M. Daum, City Desk intern at The Oklahoman.

Hello, Readers:

Check out NewsOK’s podcast page to hear the interns reflect on their past six weeks at The Oklahoman!

— Kristen, Adrielle and Nathan, on interning for the City and Business desks and the Data team.

— Monica and Hailey, on interning for Metro and State.

— Mike and Dontay, on interning for Sports.

And now, we’ve got less than two weeks left — Who would believe two months could go by so fast?

~ Kristen M. Daum, City Desk intern at The Oklahoman.

In my most recent discussion with fellow intern Dontay Allen, the topic of the SuperSonics’ recent transition from Seattle to Oklahoma City was at the center. More importantly, we shared opinions about what the team’s new nickname should be.

Oklahoma has a deep history - rich with a collaborative western and Indian heritage as displayed at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. There are also several top energy companies within the state and a history of tornadic disasters. And though famous outlaws such as George “Machine Gun” Kelley, Bonnie and Clyde, “Pretty Boy” Floyd, among others, may not necessarily be a positive thing, they did commit many heinous acts of crime throughout the state. I hope you’ll forgive me for being unable to name all the wonderful things this state has to offer (I’m not from here), but I hope it gets everyone’s creative juices flowing. Embrace this state and take pride in its culture by naming OKC’s new NBA team after the history of this state.

Here’s my top two picks:

Oklahoma City Cyclones (vs. the Twisters as listed on the NewsOK.com Poll: What should the team in OKC be called?)

Oklahoma City Outlaws

Just a thought for the day!

Adrielle Harvey, Business Intern

I encourage you all to take a look at today’s Front Page (and every day’s newspaper, for that matter, because it keeps us employed! ).

But today is special for our intern class - because ALL of the main content on Page A1 was produced by interns: From Jen Adams’ killer centerpiece graphic (with accompanying online interactive Flash presentation) to Brian Kimball’s two articles.

It’s certainly not the first time one of us interns has made Page One - but I do believe it’s the first time our class has covered every inch of it!

Congrats, Team Intern!!!

We’ve been doing some awesome work this summer - let’s make the last few weeks really spectacular!

 ~ Kristen M. Daum, City Desk intern at The Oklahoman.

I promise I have not fallen into a dark hole and disappeared from the blog. OK, maybe I have, just kidding.

Last week, was crazy. Lots of projects to complete. Check out the interactive map that I spent more than three full days on. http://newsok.com/golf/coursesmap/. And yes the main illustration is something that I created! It’s a great piece. It was a part of the golf know its.

Wall-e, comes out June 27. For most of today, I have been working on the Weekend Look page, which looks pretty awesome so far and the main theme is about Wall-e. So check out the Weekend Look on Friday.

This week’s project is “Gas Getaways” which is run in the newspaper on July 2, along with a web piece. It’s seems to be a pretty interesting project!

So it’s almost hard to believe that my internship is halfway over. It has been such a great experience. The even scarier thing is less than 6 months from now I will graduate from Ball State University. For now it’s just another Monday here in Oklahoma.

Quote for today
“True interactivity is not about clicking on icons or downloading files, it’s about encouraging communication.”
—Ed Scholssberg, 2002

Jennifer Adams, graphic designer

I am in the middle of my second week at The Oklahoman. I must say it has been a great experience so far. I am learning more about myself and myself as a designer, everyday.  I am excited to be working on a few projects that could be published and more than likely these will be flash projects, which makes me even more excited.

However, go check out the newest edition of Look@OKC it came out today! There are some pretty awesome things in there and the A-List page is also mine! So I finally have my first published piece. I am always amazed about the process. From looking at blank page on the computer screen to looking at the final copy in print. I think it will always continue to amaze me. 

Tomorrow, I have a map to go with Kristen Daum’s story, so that’s pretty awesome too. A big thanks to Kristen for all her help today and helping find the infamous street name after some frustration.  But it all turned out well. Thanks! 

 Last thing for today. Here is a pretty interesting article from MSNBC about newspaper circulation increasing in Europe.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24935927/ Which is interesting because in the US, the newspaper industry is decreasing circulation because of all the new methods, such as Web, TV and multimedia, is changing the face of the newspaper industry. Anyways take a look! 

–Jennifer Adams, graphic designer.  

For the love of all things dear and holy, do not use the word “slated” in copy at The Oklahoman.

I did so in a news headline for NewsOK.com, and my mentor (bless his 23-year-old heart) got an earful from someone on the other end of the phone line. I felt bad, but it’s definitely something he and I will always remember to change next time.

Second week on the job and I’m already making the big-wigs place some calls. At this rate, I’m slated to not make the impact I wanted to.

Oops.

—Richard Hall, online editor intern for NewsOK.com