By Elena Slavin '10
St. Louis, Missouri
Political Science
After Mac: Working for a law firm in New York City

Last summer, I interned with CNN’s White House unit in their Washington, D.C., bureau. My first week in our nation’s capital, I witnessed breaking news of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum shooting from the perspective of a major media network, and by the end of my first month I had experienced several major events through this lens. It was thrilling covering the second hundred days of the Obama presidency, from the varied political debates including health care and stimulating the economy, to historic international trips. My internship influenced my perception of domestic politics in this country and refocused my personal interests. Having studied international relations at Macalester and spent a semester overseas in Egypt, it was exciting and eye-opening to immerse myself for two months in the daily concerns of the government in my own country.

Macalester prepared me to perform well in the fast-paced, dynamic environment of CNN.

Macalester prepared me for the day-to-day research projects and prioritizing skills needed to perform well in the fast-paced, dynamic environment of CNN. My familiarity with international affairs was helpful when I was asked to put together an informational binder on President Obama’s trip to Russia, Italy, and Ghana. The writing skills I gained at Macalester enabled me to contribute to an article eventually published on CNN.com as part of a special, “Black in the White House: ‘American Dream is Accessible to Anybody.’” I was surprised and so excited that this kind of opportunity was even possible for an intern.

Macalester allows you to take advantage of whatever it is that interests you and internships are a great way to deepen your knowledge. When I applied for the position, I was initially worried about my lack of background in broadcast journalism. I soon realized though that my coursework and experiences at Mac made me stand out as a strong candidate in a competitive pool, and gave me confidence in my abilities to learn quickly on the job. After I graduate, I am interested in returning to Washington to pursue further political and media opportunities.