“Not only did I improve my speaking skills, but I also became a much better writer.”

I am Danica VanGorkom. I graduated from Algona High School in 2024 and am going into my sophomore year at the University of Iowa. I am majoring in Journalism and Mass Communications, and I would love to work as a reporter or journalist in the future.

This summer I had the opportunity to work at Kossuth County Advance as their 2025 intern. Throughout my time at Algona Publishing, I learned valuable skills that I will take with me for not only the rest of college, but for my future as well. I was able to practice my writing, interviewing, speaking, and editing skills.

Since I was covering the 2025 Progress Edition, I was tasked with interviewing businesses and individuals to highlight in the edition. From my first interview to my last, I can confidently say that I expanded my social skills and felt much more comfortable talking to people I have never met before. I learned so many interesting things about the community I grew up in, that I might not have known, had it not been for this internship.

Not only did I improve my speaking skills, but I also became a much better writer. Going into this summer, I did not have the most knowledge on how to write a good news story. After much appreciated feedback from my coworkers and boss, I now have a better understanding of what news stories should sound like, and I have great information to take with me going into my second year as a college student.

I am so grateful that I got to expand my journalism skills this summer, and I truly appreciate all the help and support that I received from my coworkers. Everyone in the office was so welcoming and kind. If I ever had a question or needed help with anything, they never hesitated to offer their knowledge. I had an amazing summer with everyone, and working with them every day made the internship as wonderful as it was.

I was offered such a great opportunity for the summer, and I cannot express my gratitude for how much it helped me grow as a community member, student, and hopefully future journalist.