internship: FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How will an internship at the Legislative Gazette benefit me?

What are the components of the internship?

How many semesters?

What are the stipends?

What is the admissions process?

How many credits will I earn?

Who are my academic advisers?

When and how can I qualify for the program?

What is living in Albany like?

What are Gazette Alumni doing today?

What do Gazette Alumni have to say about the political science component of the internship?

How will an internship at SUNY’s Legislative Gazette benefit me?
A semester internship at The Legislative Gazette prepares you to work for a daily newspaper or in other meaningful communication positions straight from college. How? You’ll be reporting on the bustling, influential political arena of the third largest state’s capital, in Albany, New York. You’ll attend press conferences and ask the governor of New York questions. You’ll work alongside reporters from the New York Times and NBC. You’ll have phone calls returned from powerful policymakers. And your reporting will provide facts that will help these policymakers shape legislation. Consequently, your resume and portfolio of news clips will stand out in a crowd of job applicants. You can expect to gain extensive newsgathering and news writing experience. After all, you and your fellow interns are The Gazette’s staff reporters. You’ll probe for answers at press briefings, and report on the machinations of state Senate & Assembly Committees and state regulatory agencies. You’ll conduct interviews, unearth leads, attend relevant meetings, and write the stories. From tax laws to environmental issues, from health policies to farm supports, you will have the opportunity to report on the prevailing, often controversial, issues that face large states. You will witness government in action.

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What are the components of the Internship?
We won’t deceive you. This may be the most challenging semester of your academic career to date. You’ll be required to balance a full workweek, complete a series of academic tasks, and live independently in Albany. But, you’ll exit the program with tangible tools: sharp reporting & writing skills, and an acute, analytical mind. You’ll have a better understanding of journalism, state politics, and yourself.
The internship consists of 40-hours of fieldwork per week, coupled with an equally important, rigorous academic component in journalism and political science. As a working reporter, you will be assigned several news beats that pertain to the multifaceted interests of a large state government, its committees, its agencies, and those organizations that lobby at their doors. You’ll make sense of complex government activities and write your news stories with the assistance of a professional journalist/editor. Every week, you’ll write an analysis paper examining an issue or incident you encountered that week. Every three weeks, a five to eight page report will be due on a book of a journalism/ political science nature. The report must include a book summary, a comparison to your field experience, and a critique of the author’s work. Also, you’ll attend a weekly political science seminar and discussion, and be guided through Albany’s legislative maze by a professor of political science & communication.
Final grades are based on your portfolio of academic & professional work, your reporting & writing skills, your professional demeanor, and your participation in discussions.

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How many semesters?
There are two terms at The Gazette. The fall semester starts the Monday before Labor Day, and ends the third week in December. The spring semester runs for six months in order to cover the legislature while they are in house. It starts the first Monday in January and runs through June 30. There is no added tuition fee or academic workload for students in the spring term. The extended term will allow for added training in reporting and writing.

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What are the stipends?
The fall semester garners a stipend of $1,000, the spring semester, $2,000.

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What is the admissions process?
SUNY students from other campuses pay tuition to their own campuses, but must fill out an application to be considered for the internship. Other New York students and out-of-state students should contact James Gormley at 518/473-6862.

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How many credits will I earn?
Successful completion of the internship program earns 15 credits. The program also offers a financial stipend.

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Who are my academic advisers?
Dr. Alan S. Chartock, SUNY Professor of Political Science & Communication, and Executive Publisher and Project Director of The Legislative Gazette.
John Bechtel, Editor & Associate Publisher of The Legislative Gazette.

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When and how can I qualify for the program?
To qualify for an internship at The Legislative Gazette, a student must have reached one’s junior year and have at least a C plus average (2.5 grade point average). Courses that are good preparation for a Gazette internship include: an advanced newswriting course; reporting on public affairs and government; feature or human interest writing; press & government or, media & politics.

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What is living in Albany like?
Albany offers affordable housing, cultural attractions, entertainment events, great shopping facilities, public transportation, and is only 2½ hours north of New York City.

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What are Gazette alumni doing today?
Alumni have become reporters, editors, and columnists at medium and large metro daily newspapers and national newsmagazines. Some alumni work for trade, business, and other special interest publications. Others have moved into public relations with private firms, or work in press relations for legislators or government agencies. New York Post Columnist Andrea Peyser is an alumnus, as is Pulitzer Prize winner Alex Storozynski, a member of the editorial board at the New York Daily News.

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What do Gazette alumni have to say about the political science component of the internship?

Some of the verbatim student comments on the end-of-semester course evaluation forms have included:

"This class is an excellent tool for anyone going into politics or journalism."

"Dr. Chartock not only teaches us about state government, he makes (us) think analytically."

"This course inspired my curiosity….more than any class I have ever taken."

"It has given my career some direction."

"I enjoyed the class and….gained much insight into the political process."

"I have learned more about state government than I learned all through high school and college"

"(Dr. Chartock) made the subject interesting and enjoyable, which…helped me to learn much more than I have in any other college course."

For more information, e-mail James Gormley or call 518/473-6862

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