I spent my summer at The City reporting across a range of beats. I initially intended to focus on immigration and accountability reporting, especially as federal authorities expanded enforcement across New York. As the mayoral elections gained momentum and other stories arose, my coverage broadened. I reported on a multimillion‑dollar ATM hack targeting youth workers, disparities in city diabetes care, and abuse in temporary shelters. This was my first newsroom experience, and I was inspired by the encyclopedic knowledge, drive, integrity, and ethics of my colleagues. I loved the breadth and variation of local reporting—every day I spoke with New Yorkers to identify stories that mattered and deserved attention and accountability.

Throughout the summer I applied skills I first developed in my Columbia journalism classes. Growing up in New York exposed me to the city, but reporting for class introduced me to the intricacies of city management and bureaucracy and brought me into communities I would not have otherwise encountered. My professors emphasized the ethics of reporting on and for vulnerable communities, from undocumented New Yorkers to students risking retaliation for political speech. I learned to build trust with sources, identify important stories, and collaborate with colleagues under deadline pressure. That collaboration was essential at The City, where reporters share resources and research to publish the best stories.

One of my biggest challenges was learning to pace my reporting. When the fellowship began, I was eager to pursue many stories simultaneously and started too many at once. Over the summer I learned to focus on one or two stories at a time, finish each, and lay the groundwork for the next. This approach improved the quality of my work and my efficiency.

This internship was incredibly enriching and inspiring. I returned home each day excited for the next morning. I learned to navigate city institutions, press officers, and sources with competing interests and saw how essential journalism is in upholding and challenging institutions. I gained a deep appreciation for local reporting and its ability to impact people’s daily lives. All New Yorkers deserve fair, honest, effective policies and accountable leadership. It was a privilege to help identify and illuminate gaps. This experience gave me many tools to continue this work in New York or wherever my reporting takes me.