Opinion | From the EIC: reflecting on my 10 weeks with the San Diego Union-Tribune

This summer, before taking up the role of Editor-in-Chief of The Panther, I spent 10 weeks writing and reporting for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Photos by ANGELINA HICKS, Editor-in-Chief

It was my dream internship. The best opportunity I could have conjured. There was nothing I wanted to do more over the summer than to write for the San Diego Union-Tribune, the newspaper of record located in the city I grew up in and where I was already planning to be for the summer.

I really didn’t think I was going to get it. I knew I was qualified, and I had a solid chance considering I already had an op-ed published for them a couple years prior, but I kept my hopes low out of fear of disappointment . 

I don’t go to college in San Diego County, which I had assumed was a requirement, and I knew there was going to be a ton of applicants, so I thought my chances were slim.

I even applied to other internships at different newspapers in San Diego, only to be rejected by them all.

That being said, I wanted it badly. The Union-Tribune was the newspaper my high school journalism teacher would bring into class to use an example. I drove past the building downtown dozens of times, imagining what it would be like to work there.

I wanted it desperately, but I still doubted they would choose me — someone who isn’t even a journalism major — of all people.

The first time the Union-Tribune called me to offer me the position, I didn’t even answer the phone.

The Union-Tribune’s office in downtown San Diego made me feel incredibly professional and important when I used my special badge to swipe in.

I was busy working my on-campus job, and I didn’t recognize the number or the area code, so I ignored it.

A whole day later, they called again.

“Huh,” I thought to myself. “Didn’t this same number call me yesterday? I better answer in case it’s important.”

Turns out it was pretty important.

I was overjoyed to hear the offer over the phone and wholeheartedly accepted. The next month, I stepped into the office for the first day of my 10-week internship and made a goal to write and publish at least 20 stories before I left.

By the end, I had 40 stories and briefs published online and in print.

I spent the first five weeks covering city council meetings, civic and local news and other community happenings around the county.

The day Roe v. Wade overturned, I helped out with coverage and landed a story on the front page. Although the news of the day was incredibly disheartening, being in the middle of covering such a national phenomenon was a unique experience that I’ll always remember. 

I covered stories about homelessness, wrote about local issues affecting residents at the city level and researched how some cities operate and how that could potentially change in the future.

The Union-Tribune was also named the recipient of the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall Service Award and was featured in the San Diego Pride parade. As an employee at the time, I was able to march in the parade with other journalists.

It was my first time attending a pride parade, and I was so honored to be around such a stellar company.

I spent the second five weeks working with breaking news stories about crime, public safety and the courts system.

It was a whirlwind to say the least.

I covered car crashes, plane crashes, shootings, stabbings, fires, Border Patrol pursuits and carjackings in a very fast-paced and dramatic five weeks. 

One of my more memorable pieces working with the public safety team was a hearing I covered about placing a sexually violent predator in a home in Borrego Springs in San Diego County.

I attended the hearing and listened to comments from residents in the area about the issue. I even had a photo published online that I took before the hearing outside the courthouse. 

I’m definitely not a photographer, but it was pretty exciting having a photo I took on my iPhone 11 pop up on the Union-Tribune website.

I mostly worked remotely, so I didn’t go into the office very often, but when I did, it was amazing. I met so many talented journalists that I was able to learn from and hone my writing skills. I can’t wait to bring what I learned to The Panther and guide our writers and editors toward quality, trustworthy stories.

I would love to return back to the Union-Tribune as a full-time journalist one day, but for now, I have one year left at The Panther.

I can’t wait to see what this year brings. Under my leadership, I hope to leave The Panther in an improved state after I graduate this spring.

Until then, feel free to leave any story ideas with our anonymous tip line. Don’t hesitate to reach out to my email — anhicks@chapman.edu — with feedback, pitches, questions or comments.

Although I lead The Panther, we’d be nothing without our talented and dedicated staff. I look forward to seeing what they come up with this year and reading their wonderful storytelling that’s sure to come.