Ingrid Holmquist's HN Experience | Internship Review

testimonial by Ingrid Holmquist

I used to talk to trees. My favorite genre of music growing up was showtunes. My fancier party tricks consist of chanting the alphabet backwards and knowing all 50 states.

I definitely didn’t think I was hip enough to be a Hear Nebraska intern.

When approached about applying for the internship by my hip pal Natalia, I was both flattered and hopeful. My comrades who had interned in the past told me, “You’d be a goober to pass up an opportunity with HN,” and, “It’s truly like joining a cool family.” I knew a handful of HN supporters and knew the talent that came in and out of the incredible group of creatives.

I didn’t want to go back to my tree-talking days, and next thing I knew I was blabbering to Michael Todd, managing editor, at a quaint table in the talking section of the Coffee House about why I would be a good fit for HN.

He bought it!

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Since then, my love of The Good Life, music, and the married two has greatly developed.

HN believes in growth — within its contributors but also within itself.

In fact, since the start of my internship last semester HN started its own radio show (HNFM) on KZUM, now pays managing editor Michael Todd full-time and upped its overall programming.

But HN isn’t all business and productivity. It’s a family. They get drinks at O’Rourke’s, go to concerts together, swim together and go on retreats to the Niobrara River. I guess drinks and concerts don’t necessarily scream “typical family reunion.” This wonky family embraces music and being creative. What could be better?

One incredible thing about interning for Hear Nebraska is that they are passionate about both the nonprofit’s growth and their interns’ personal growth. I was invited in to the Hear Nebraska family solely for my writing abilities. I expressed early that I would be interested in learning more about other modes of multimedia and was then given opportunities to hone my writing skills and examine my potential in other journalistic arenas. Though I was not familiar with photography and audio production, I was able to experiment with the two during my internship even though those modes of journalism aren’t in my internship title.

The musical talent in Nebraska is bursting and screaming to be exposed. I’m so blessed to have been able to contribute my time and energy this past semester and intend on continuing my support.

Music, journalism, and The Good Life: Nebraska. What could be better?