Allyson Bird - Internship Diary

Nov. 14:

Saturday I grudgingly woke up at 8:30 put on a suit. I spent all day Friday and Saturday at a computer-assisted reporting boot camp put on by the Heritage Foundation. Held at the National Press Club, it was free to members. I figured I had no excuse not to go, seeing as I've essentially escaped class for a semester.

The courses taught us how to use spreadsheets and descriptive statistics -- a skill journalists historically lack. We also learned how to analytically and accurately use statistical Web sites. I really could have used the skills when I was working on campaign donation stories a few weeks back.

The Press Club also put on a job fair over the weekend, so I got to meet a few potential employers in between classes. One aspect of Washington I will really miss is the networking; it never stops.

The vice presidents of print and broadcast for my company, Media General, were among the recruiters at the job fair. I had lunch with them on Saturday and was glad I'd worn that suit after all.

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