An internship that defied the cliche of the normal internship

When I started my internship at the Coeur d'Alene Press, my head was filled with the cruel cliches of interns depicted in TV shows and movies. Maybe it was because deep down I thought of them to be true, or maybe I just watch too much television, which is highly probable.

Yet, what I came to find and experience in my time with the Press was quite refreshing from my preconceived notions of the normal internship. On my first day, I was given story assignments instead of coffee orders. I was treated like one of the reporters that work there daily. As the weeks went on, the assignments got more challenging, but all the more gratifying when I knew I had done a good piece.

Yes, along the way, I was jokingly reminded of my intern status. The majority of those friendly reminders came from none other than the special sections editor Tyler Wilson. It was a nice change of pace though, being able to argue and debate with another tortured sports fan (He's a Minnesota Twins fan). In the middle of these arguments, the topic would always somehow veer toward me quoting ESPN columnist Bill Simmons or LeBron James and the NBA, since reporter Tom Hasslinger doesn't appreciate the unwarranted hate toward the man that betrayed his city and has become the walking definition of narcissism. Nonetheless, the argument always ended with Wilson saying, "OK, you're done intern, no more talking. Now go get me a Big Gulp, I'm thirsty." But I digress.

I wanted to learn on the job, improve my writing ability and make friends along the way. And thanks to people like managing editor Mike Patrick, city editor Bill Buley, reporters Tom Hasslinger, Alecia Warren, Nick Rotunno and Wilson, I feel like I've accomplished these goals.

I learned from the best in my opinion. I do not think I have ever seen a group work as hard as all the people here at the Press. Some people here perform a job that requires 2 or 3 people to do, but they don't complain about it, they just do their job. They try their hardest each and every day to bring the fine people of Coeur d'Alene a paper that residents should really be proud of.

With my journey at the Press complete, so is my journey in Coeur d'Alene. I have lived here since I could remember, going to Garwood Elementary and then Lakeland High School.

I will graduate in the spring of 2012 with a journalism degree at Washington State University (Go Cougs) and I honestly don't know what lies in store for me once I graduate and move on to other adventures. I may find myself in the great Northwest or even all the way across the nation on the east coast.

One thing is for sure, I will never forget all the memories and experiences I have had here in this beautiful, wonderful city. I've been fortunate enough to play at McEuen Field, play in the state playoffs for both football and baseball, and learn the meaning of hard work in the valet department at The Resort.

I believe this internship has prepared me for the real world and the job opportunities that lie ahead.

Thank you Coeur d'Alene Press and thank you to the city of Coeur d'Alene.

I appreciate everything you have done for me.