Rylan Gains Valuable Experience Through EdSource Internship
By Marshall Fiorita
For Communications and Media Studies Major Rylan Valdepena, journalism isn’t just another class, it’s a craft she’s working to master.
“The big thing is that they don’t promise you’ll get published,” Valdepena said. “You have to really work hard for it. But when you do get published, it’s an amazing feeling because you know the story earned its place.”
Valdepena is currently interning with EdSource, a nonprofit newsroom focused on education reporting in California. She participates in the organization’s California Student Journalism Corps, a selective, paid and remote program that gives college students the chance to produce professional-level news stories and commentaries.
She spends weeks developing and refining a single story, working through multiple phases of pitching, interviewing, writing and editing. All while under the guidance of professional editors.
“For a 2,000-word story, I usually interview six to eight sources,”
She said, “You have to go out and find people on your own — professors, students, experts. My supervisor calls the hard-to-get sources ‘sharks,’ because you have to go deep to find them.”
The rigorous process, she said, has helped her become more confident and professional.
“It takes a lot of time and motivation,” Valdepena said. “But it’s worth it, you learn to ask questions, follow up and be specific. It’s real journalism.”
Valdepena first connected with EdSource when one of its editors, Daniel Vasquez, spoke to her journalism class at SSU. After the presentation, Valdepena introduced herself and shared her interest in storytelling. That initiative led to an internship offer and a deeper passion for reporting.
Now her supervisor, Vasquez, praised Valdepena’s initiative and impact on the newsroom.
“Rylan is among our standouts in the program, bringing to our table a mix of talent, hard work and a willingness to learn,” Vasquez said. “She absorbs constructive criticism, asks for more and acts upon the guidance to take her reporting and writing to another level.”
Vasquez added that Valdepena excelled during her first semester and was invited back to help mentor new interns. “While Rylan seeks feedback, she is not afraid to push back or offer new ideas on how to do an old craft,” she said. “She is a storyteller at heart.”
Now balancing a 19-unit course load and four internship units, Valdepena says the experience has solidified her career goals. She hopes to pursue journalism after graduation, with a focus on indie arts and entertainment or community reporting.
“I love analyzing art, indie films and games,” she said. “But whatever I end up doing, I just want to keep talking to people and telling their stories.”
Her advice for other students considering internships “If you’re serious about journalism, go for it. It’s challenging, but it’s one of the best ways to grow.”