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Your connection to collegiate news | Sept. 26, 2025

By Colin Elam
Senior Journalism major, USC
I had the privilege to work at The State this summer as an SCPA Foundation Intern. In the 10 weeks I spent there, I built up a diverse portfolio of reporting work and learned from some of the best journalists in South Carolina.
My interest is in growth, development and business reporting, and I got to write a popular story about a new southern buffet and a piece about three restaurants operating within other businesses. I was far from limited to that beat, and I spent a great deal of time covering breaking news. Included in this was my coverage of the case of Naegleria Fowleri from Lake Murray, from which I wrote four stories.
I had not written many arts-oriented stories as a student reporter, but with The State, I wrote a profile of two Dreher High School graduates that went on to work on this year’s “Superman” film, a story about the loss of public art in Columbia and a look into two local music businesses that moved in together.

Besides getting to write some cool stories, I was able to spend time in a great newsroom. The editors and other reporters were eager to pass down their experience to the summer interns. Hannah Wade gave a great presentation to us, full of tips for finding story ideas, and John Monk took me on a field trip to federal court. That trip ended up giving me a photo credit. It was great to meet both younger reporters with an early career perspective as well as industry veterans with decades of experience to share.
I was already interested in a career in local journalism, and my time at The State solidified that. I felt like a trusted member of the team while receiving quality mentorship from my supervisors and coworkers.

How to apply
Eight-week internships valued at $4,480 are open to student journalists who attend a four-year college in South Carolina or reside in South Carolina and attend a four-year college elsewhere. Rising juniors and seniors are eligible to apply by Dec. 2.

Members of Kentucky Press Association did an excellent job judging SCPA's contests earlier this year. Now it's our turn to return the favor!
SCPA needs roughly 60 members to help judge KPA’s College, News and Advertising Contests in October. Judging is done online and is extremely user-friendly.
All student media advisers and communications/ journalism instructors are eligible to help judge. You can let us know the categories you prefer to judge (i.e., photos, design, writing, sports, ads)
Complete this short form to volunteer!

Students must commit to working in Columbia Dec. 1 – March 27 (with breaks for exams, holidays and Spring Break)

SCPA is looking to hire four college journalism/vis com/communications students for a part-time internship starting Dec. 1 and ending March 27, with flexibility and time off around exams, holidays and Spring Break.
Interns will work in Dec./Jan. getting News Contest entries ready for judging. In Feb./March, interns will help build our Annual Meeting digital awards presentations and printed winner displays.
This is an in-office position so applicants need to be located in Columbia for most of December, as well as Spring Semester.
You must have reliable transportation to our office (located on Bush River Rd., about a 10-minute drive from campus) and can commit to working 15-20 hours a week. Days and hours are flexible during the work week. Pay is $12 an hour. This position may also qualify for a college internship credit.
Candidates should have a high attention to detail.  Some knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign and Acrobat is a plus but we can also train you.
Interested? Email Jen Madden no later than Oct. 31. Please include resume and availability (days/hours, holiday travel, etc.).

By: Emma Hudson, The Carolinian, USC Upstate | 
Read here!

By Will Miller, The Daily Gamecock, USC | Read here!

By Griffin Barfield, The Tiger, Clemson | Read here!

By Blythe Barrineau, The Vision, North Greenville | Read here!

By Elena Davidson, The Paladin News, Furman |  Read here!

The Collegian of Bob Jones University featured students at the first Art Series event of the semester. See more!

The Vision of North Greenville University featured their staff in an introductory video. Watch it here!

USC J-School students Sydney Dunkel, Sara Cole and Sydney Corcoran gained valuable ad sales training from industry expert Ryan Dohrn at a recent SCPA event.

The Bulldog News of SC State University featured their Bulldog Bulletin with the weekly information. Watch video here!

The Daily Gamecock of USC previewed their first print edition hitting the stands with a celebratory video. Watch it here!

Check out the new editions of The Johnsonian and The Roddey-McMillian Record on Winthrop University!

Old Gold & Black of Wofford College released their first print issue of the semester! See the online version on their website!

If you want any of your clips on social featured, send them to us on Instagram or Facebook!

Thanks to funding from the SCPA Foundation, a self-paced online journalism and ad sales training course is currently available to all SCPA members at no charge. Members who complete the entire course will receive a Certificate of Completion. If you have a staffer who could benefit from this training, please sign up!