Newspaper accepts interns on an ongoing basis
By American staff
This issue marks the last week that Sherrod Jerome Tunstall will report to work at The St. Louis American as an intern, though he did so much work in his short time here that his reporting will continue to appear in the paper for weeks after he is gone.
As an intern at the American, Sherrod has written a number of articles, including Careers columns, arts features, business profiles and a front-page news report on an alleged incident of police brutality.
Next year, he will graduate from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park with an associate degree in Applied Science in Mass Communications. He currently has a 3.2 GPA and has earned a spot on the Dean’s List. He has also worked for his school’s newspaper, The Scene, where he has written articles on race, education and current issues.
He also has been a McDonald’s employee for three years.
Next, he plans to attend Webster University and study journalism.
Tunstall is a 2005 graduate of Clyde C. Miller Career Academy.
Even from the young age of 12, he has always enjoyed storytelling. His inspiration comes from his friends, family, hometown and reading. His favorite authors include Sister Souljah, E. Lynn Harris, Keisha Ervin, Omar Tyree and Zane n some of whom he had an opportunity to interview while an intern here.
His family and teachers have always encouraged him to keep writing. His “mama,” as he affectionately calls his mother, Lola Tunstall, was a big influence on his life by pushing him to follow his dreams.
His current dream is to become a novelist. So far he has written one novel, Secrets, about a black family that harbors many secrets. He’s currently working on his second novel, Hot & Spicy, an urban tale of sex, drugs and revenge.
Besides writing, Sherrod loves being with his family and close friends, going to the movies, reading books and exercising.
He was born on October 17, 1986 in St. Louis, to Lola and Curtis Tunstall. He is an African-American male of Creole, Indian, French, Jamaican and Chinese descent.
The St. Louis American operates an informal intern program, managed by Editorial Director Chris King. We try to accept all applicants, but because of limited staff time for mentoring, how much the intern brings to the program, in terms of ability and initiative, will largely determine how much the intern gets out of the experience.
While some interns contribute little to the paper and are assigned routine tasks like typing letters (which is expected of all interns, regardless of ability), others write for all areas of the paper, as did Sherrod. Several former interns continued at the paper as freelance reporters, and two (Meliqueica Meadows and Kenya Vaughn) were offered and accepted full-time staff positions.
Kenya has since been promoted to online editor of stlamerican.com.
Anyone interested in an internship at the American should email a resume and writing samples to cking@stlamerican.com on a Thursday or Friday and specify: when you can start, if you have transportation, and if you have access to a computer outside of the newsroom.
Summer leadership program
The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is currently accepting applications for its summer leadership program in Washington, D.C. The Institute provides America’s best and brightest African-American male college students with networking opportunities, leadership development and life-long mentorship.
Through the focused and intimate structure of our program, the Institute equips these young men with the tools required for successful careers in business, education, journalism, law, government, the sciences, public policy, ministry, medicine, public service and the arts.
Program highlights:
The 2009 program will run from Saturday, June 6 to Saturday, August 1. Students must commit to two summers. Tuition and housing are paid for by the Institute. Students will be placed at paid internships based on their
career interest (a stipend of $3000 will be provided for those placed at unpaid internships) .
You should be a sophomore to apply. Although the Institute does not have a GPA requirement, the average GPA for participants is a 3.65. An applicant’s GPA is not the only criterion that is considered during the admissions process. Other achievements such as campus involvement, honors and awards earned, athletics and volunteer work are looked upon favorably.
The deadlines for admission into the 2009-2010 class is Jan. 15. The application can be found on the web at http://www.i4rc.org/application.htm.
Inquiries should be directed to info@i4rc.org or (202) 659-2831. Those considering applying are highly encouraged to review the website in detail and contact the office with any questions before submitting an application.
For more information, visit www.i4rc.org.
