Intern Reflections with Mariyum Rizwan
I discovered my passion for community engagement and a desire to continue collaborating with community organizers to establish a two-way dialogue between myself as a journalist and the communities I serve.
At Resolve, we believe that developing a strong, intentional, and multi-layered internship program provides great benefits to the individuals who choose to intern with us, to us as an organization, and to our industry at large. We greatly appreciate the value and expertise that all Resolve interns bring to the table, and our staff works hard to create a valuable, meaningful experience that will support them in their future endeavors.
Recently, we caught up with Mariyum Rizwan, Resolve's current Engagement Reporting Intern, to learn more about her experience. Check out what she had to say below.
How would you describe this internship experience to others?
I served as Resolve Philly’s inaugural Engagement Reporting Intern during the summer of 2023. I worked closely with the Equally Informed and Germantown Info Hub teams. My time at Resolve opened doors for me, allowing me to connect with the Asian American Journalism Association and attend their national conference in Washington, D.C. I had the privilege of pitching my own story ideas and reporting on topics close to my heart, from menstrual hygiene inequality to the growing housing crisis in Philadelphia. This internship provided me with valuable real-world experience, as I collaborated with professional journalists of varying reporting experience levels and honed my research skills through published investigative pieces.
How would you describe the culture at Resolve Philly?
The culture at Resolve is deeply rooted in a strong sense of purpose and collaboration, driven by our shared commitment to addressing critical issues through high-quality journalism. The team's ability to collaborate effectively is evident in our continuous conversations aimed at producing better journalism and fostering a stronger community. Each individual at Resolve brings insightful thoughts and experiences to create a multifaceted and diverse newsroom.
Looking back, what do you wish you would have known before starting this internship?
In hindsight, I wish I had known about the high level of independence in Resolve’s internship program. Aside from weekly check-ins with my team, I had the freedom to pitch and write stories aligned with my passion and work on projects based on my interests. An intern at Resolve should have clear goals regarding what they aim to gain from the internship experience.
What has been most rewarding about your work?
The most rewarding aspect of my internship has been the opportunity to explore the type of journalism I wish to pursue while working with different teams at Resolve. I discovered my passion for community engagement and a desire to continue collaborating with community organizers to establish a two-way dialogue between myself as a journalist and the communities I serve.
What's next for you?
I will complete my journalism degree at Temple University, with an anticipated graduation in May 2024. During the Fall 2023 semester, I will work as a Community Outreach Intern for Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey’s Philadelphia office.
