From Capitol Hill to C-SPAN and CNN: The Newhouse DC Experience

Newhouse DC is a one-semester off-campus program that provides students with the opportunity to live, work and learn in the heart of the nation’s capital. Students, like television, radio and film junior Niah Edwards and broadcast and digital journalism junior Alek Harasim, gain hands-on professional experience as interns at media companies, take classes, meet with mentors and build their network by engaging with accomplished Newhouse alumni.

Below, Edwards and Harasim reflect on their experience this spring semester in Washington, D.C.

Why did you apply to the Newhouse DC program?

Edwards: I decided to apply to the Newhouse DC program because I’ve always been interested in nonfiction and documentary storytelling, especially stories about social justice issues, and figured DC was the perfect place to explore that. I knew that coming to DC at a time when the country was transitioning to a new administration would be pivotal in my own understanding of politics and the systems that make America function. I was drawn to the idea of being “in the room where it happens” and witnessing firsthand how people react to policy changes. 

Harasim: I chose the Newhouse DC program because of my interest in politics and public policy. I wanted to leave the Syracuse University campus for a semester and the DC program offered interesting topics and the chance to do an internship in broadcast journalism. Networking is another plus as I have met so many people and heard their experiences. It has helped me get more specific with where I want to go after graduating.

What has been one of your favorite experiences during the program so far?

Edwards: Visiting the United States Capitol for a class trip. While there, we got to watch representatives vote and had the chance to speak to and see Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost and Jared Moskowitz. Later that day, our group also had a discussion with David Hogg, an activist and leading organizer for the March of our Lives Movement. The whole day was so amazing because I never imagined that I would be seeing these people face to face, let alone talking to them about the issues in our country.

Harasim: The site visits. We have been to Lockheed Martin and CBS’s DC newsroom. We also visited CNN and NBC, where we watched the live broadcast of “Meet the Press” and met with moderator Kristen Welker and executive producer David Gelles.

Hearing from alumni and other professionals about the paths they took to their current position is very interesting. Figuring out how to apply our skills in different occupations is another benefit to these visits.

What is your DC internship?

Edwards: I’m currently interning at the DC Independent Film Festival and AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) in their video department. Working at the film festival has been a great experience for me as a TRF major. I’ve had the opportunity to meet filmmakers from around the world and watch their work, which has been so inspiring. 

Working at AFSCME has been incredibly interesting given the changes in our political atmosphere. My job has consisted of gathering footage of any news coverage on the firing of federal employees and incorporating them in video campaigns aimed at encouraging union members to advocate for themselves and their colleagues.  

Harasim: I’m currently interning at C-SPAN in their studio operations and newsroom systems departments. I floor direct for “Washington Journal,” C-SPAN’s morning news program. I get there at 6 a.m. to prepare the studio. After the show finishes at 10 a.m., I work on behind-the-scenes things like closed captioning the weekend programs so people don’t have to be in the master control room over the weekend. I get plenty of hands-on experience and learn about how newsrooms actually work.

What Newhouse DC class has been your favorite?

Edwards: COM 509 – Communications Law for Public Communicators. Professor Alia Smith is a first amendment lawyer, and the class teaches journalists to investigate and report stories without running into legal issues such as defamation, media regulation or IP theft.  

Harasim: Psychology of Political Communications, taught by Professor Emily Sydnor. The class focuses on political conversations and conversations in general. Two of our classes focused on holding a deliberation focused on certain topics, the first on abortion and the second was “sportswashing.” It was eye-opening to hear how other people think and reach their positions.

How is the program preparing you for your future career?

Edwards: Participating in Newhouse DC is preparing me for my future career because I got to meet so many people who genuinely want to help me advance. During class trips to NBC, CBS and Lockheed Martin, there were so many SU alumni that wanted to connect and who were so quick to respond to any emails I sent. The program also just has so many networking receptions, breakfasts and panels where you get the chance to meet alumni and professionals working in journalism or some realm of politics. At my own internship with the DC Independent Film Festival, I was offered an extended position for the summer, which I gladly accepted! 

Harasim: The program has helped me be more specific in what I want in my future career, and the pathways I can take to get there. I wouldn’t have given these thoughts a second chance if it wasn’t for the professional development events that the DC program hosts with both Newhouse and Maxwell students. If I stayed in Syracuse, I wouldn’t have met all sorts of people and learned more about my potential career path.

What would you say to a Newhouse student who was considering this program?

Edwards: You should absolutely apply if you have any sort of interest in politics or history. As a TRF major, I struggled to see a place in the program where I fit in, but everyone encouraged me to go and I am so happy that I did. Even now I am helping program director Beverly Kirk brainstorm different opportunities and classes for TRF majors who are interested in participating.

Harasim: There are fun things to do in DC along with being at the center of U.S. politics. Go to certain areas at the right time and you will see politicians and other notable people. Going in the spring of a new presidential administration is certainly an experience and I would recommend coming to DC when the new Congress is elected in two years. Having classes with students who have Congressional internships makes it interesting to hear about how the politics are happening around them.