BOCA RATON– Interns are important to every occupation.
But the field of journalism gives them a particularly fertile field to sow their talents. Working in the media offers young people a chance to do hands-on reporting from the scenes of fires and accidents; to cover meetings where important decisions are made at the local and state level and to meet and write articles about important local people.
The Boca Raton Tribune, which publishes its 100th edition this week, has offered interns a fertile field to develop their skills since it put out its first newspaper more than two years ago.
“We work with a blend of the young talent learning skills from people with extensive news experience,” said Boca Raton Tribune Publisher Douglas Heizer.
Learning is important to the entire Heizer family. Douglasmentioned how his son, Pedro, has accomplished much in the newspaper field as assistant editor working with Managing Editor Dale King. He is also the sports editor and online editor, posting stories on the Tribune website and overseeing those assist him. Pedro has been with the Boca Raton Tribune since Day 1, and is often called upon to deal with problems and coordinate assignments.
“I want to mention the way Pedro is growing and has become a prominent professional,” the elder Heizer said. Pedro Heizer, who just graduated from Palm Beach State College, was the editor of the school paper and won an award for writing the best article in a college newspaper nationwide.
“Pedro learned day by day with Dale King,” said Douglas Heizer. “We encourage talented interns to grow with us, and I have become pretty sure that this is the way to go in the newspaper business.”
Another member of the Heizer, Gabriela, daughter of Douglas and Dini, also lends a hand to her dad’s media empire with her excellent photography.
Also keeping the wheels of the Tribune newspaper network rolling is Delray Beach Tribune Managing Editor C. Ron Allen. “C Ron,” as he’s known, logged a lot of time at the Sun-Sentinel. He is also associated with the Knights of Pythagoras Mentoring Network, Inc., Knights of Pythagoras Mentoring Network, LLC and the Rotary Club of Delray Beach. He has also worked with student interns as he developed the Delray Beach Tribune from a website to a print newspaper.
David Volz, who keeps track of the news inCoral Springs, is always out in the field running down stories and events in that Broward County Community. Heizer said he is working to turn the current Coral Springs Tribune website into a print paper in the near future.
Dale King has been with the Tribune since it was just an idea, back in late 2009 and early 2009. He knows something about interns. In fact, when he was in college at Northeastern University in Boston, he was a student intern at the Pawtucket Times inRhode Islandand also Texas Instruments Inc. inAttleboro,Mass.
“I thought it was the best of both worlds,” King said. “I got a taste of journalism as well as corporate PR. When I graduated, I had a job waiting for me. I think the cooperative education program at NU is terrific.”
King said he recalled working with Jennifer Ortega at the Tribune. “I remember her most for her enthusiasm,” King said. “She was always looking for new ideas. I recall that she worked on weather-related stories, but she also kept track of hurricane season and reported updates throughout the summer of 2010.”
Ortega has taken a job at a TV station in Columbus, Miss. When she left the Tribune, she went on to work at Hola TV in West Palm Beach, and was also a weekend editor and photographer at CBS 12, also inWest Palm Beach.
“What happened to Jennifer can happen to any of our interns,” said King. “I always remember my days as an intern. I probably learned more in those few years than in the time since then. I recommend internships to anyone interested in journalism. Not only will you discover if you like the field, but you’ll find out early on whether you can handle the pressure of deadlines.”
“We congratulate all our interns,” said King and Heizer, “and wish them well in their days here at the Tribune, and in the future.”
If you want to join this team, e-mail us at : intern@bocaratontribune.com . We are always looking for talent people!!