By Mia Hilkowitz
This summer I had the opportunity to work as an intern with the Indiana Capital Chronicle, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to reporting on state government. My three-month internship really enriched my understanding of the state government and helped me grow as a journalist. At the Indiana Capital Chronicle, I worked closely with a phenomenal team of reporters — Niki Kelly, Whitney Downard, Casey Smith and Leslie Bonilla Muñiz. Working with them, I witnessed firsthand how award-winning journalists conduct interviews, research and follow stories. Their dedication to their sources and stories were inspiring and provided me with invaluable lessons about how to produce high-impact pieces.
From day one, I felt incredibly welcomed by the Indiana Capital Chronicle team. On my first day, they took me out to lunch at Giordano’s and told me about the various stories they each were working on. This really set a positive tone for my entire internship.
A big highlight of my internship was working directly with Niki Kelly, the editor-in-chief of the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Her mentorship was instrumental in my growth as a young journalist. Her feedback was always constructive and insightful, and helped me refine my writing and reporting. Her guidance also gave me the confidence to tackle difficult stories and topics. I specifically loved some of our trips out to report. Once, we went to tour the governor’s residence to report on a new $300,000 addition to the home. We also visited the Indiana State Fairgrounds together ahead of another story — Niki is a big fan of the fair and was able to tell me more about the history of the event.
Throughout the summer, I reported on dozens of stories that let me learn about Indiana’s state government. The internship allowed me to see how state decisions and policies affect communities across the state, and how journalism can shed light on disparate impacts. I also gained hands-on experience navigating the state’s public records system — a skill I use regardless of where I end up reporting in the future.
Another enriching aspect of my internship was attending various networking events and meeting other journalists in Indianapolis. I had the opportunity to connect with professionals from other media organizations, including the IndyStar, Mirror Indy, Chalkbeat and WTHR. Additionally, I was excited to meet and reconnect with alumni of the Indiana Daily Student, where I am serving as a managing editor of content. It was inspiring to see journalists who were once in my position now making significant contributions to Indianapolis journalism.
During my internship, I covered a wide range of topics. Some of my favorite stories included reporting on why state agencies invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in sponsorships at the Indiana State Fair each year, and covering the impact of stalled federal legislation on Indiana farmers and consumers. I also had the opportunity to speak with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb via Zoom during his international economic development trip in Singapore. As a reporter for the Capital Chronicle, I also got to attend an infant and maternal health summit, and cover a contentious three-day bench trial in Monroe County regarding Indiana’s near-total abortion ban.
I also delved into other issues in the state government, including state employment trends, recount efforts affecting election certifications and the reasons behind Indiana’s high driver’s license test failure rates. I had the chance to cover several Indiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeals hearings, tackling topics such as privacy rights, access to firearms and the discovery of cell phone data. Additionally, I attended press conferences for political hopefuls like Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick and attorney general nominee Destiny Wells.
This summer has been an invaluable experience and I could not be happier with my internship. I will be forever grateful for the Indiana Capital Chronicle and Indianapolis Press Club Foundation for taking a risk and investing in me!
