Rose Brennan ’20
Education and transportation reporter at The Riverdale Press, formerly an intern
What was the transition from intern to full-time staff like for you at The Riverdale Press?
Honestly, I don't think my transition would have happened the way it did without the added variable of the pandemic. My internship ended in late April, and about a week later, The Riverdale Press qualified for the Paycheck Protection Program. That allowed the paper to take on two temporary Special Projects Reporters to essentially take over all COVID-19-related coverage. So my editor reached out to me and Anthony Capote (a fellow Manhattan University alum!) to fill those roles. While I was working in the Special Projects Reporter role, a permanent position as the Education and Transportation Reporter opened up, and I was offered the job!
Do you have any advice for current interns hoping to make the transition to full-time employment at their companies?
My advice for interns is to make yourself stand out in your internship role. Try and do things without your boss asking you to do them. Take initiative anywhere and everywhere you can. Finally, don't just assume you'll be considered if a full-time role opens up. If the opportunity arises, communicate politely but clearly to your boss that you'd like to be considered. You probably have a leg up on other external candidates because you're already familiar with the company and what it does day-to-day.
Have you been working remotely or have you transitioned back to the newsroom? What has been your experience with on-scene reporting during COVID?
I've been working remotely since Manhattan University closed in mid-March. We hope to be in the newsroom sooner rather than later, but the staff's safety, not to mention the safety of our families and the people we interview, comes first. I haven't been able to do any on-scene reporting during the pandemic, and while I miss in-person reporting, we shouldn't make the jump back to it before it's safe to do so.
How have you been doing during COVID-19? Have there been any practices that have helped you maintain a work-life balance while working from home?
Maintaining a work-life balance is a bit more difficult not because of the pandemic or because I'm working remotely, but because the news cycle never ends. But my biggest rule I try to follow is "no news on weekends." I limit my social media usage and doom-scrolling when I'm not working, and I try to spend the weekends with my friends and loved ones ... while wearing masks and abiding by social distancing guidelines, of course!
What would you like to say to the class of 2020?
We really deserved better than what we got, but I urge you all to remain patient. I want nothing more than a real "graduation," but we can't do it until it's more than safe for us to do so. As much as I want to celebrate with you all, we see what's going on across the country with people reopening too early and paying the price later. I don't want that for us. So hang on just a little longer. Wash your hands, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and before you know it, we'll be able to celebrate together properly.