As an intern at POLITICO’s New Jersey Bureau, senior and Journalism and Media Studies major Daniel Han reports on New Jersey politics.

Han has been interning there since January 2021, where he has interviewed politicians and policy professionals. He has covered a variety of topics, including the state budget, nuclear subsidies, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and his Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli in the governor’s race.

Han’s diligence and hard work was rewarded last month when he was awarded the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) 2021 Presidents Scholarship.

With the help of his JMS professors, Han said he has acquired the knowledge and skills he needed to succeed as an intern in a newsroom, and he added that some of his professors have made an impact on his education overall, teaching him not just through the JMS curriculum, but also by sharing their career experiences as well.

Han’s diligence and hard work was rewarded last month when he was awarded the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) 2021 Presidents Scholarship. According to the RTDNA website, “This scholarship is awarded to current college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are in good standing in school, and intend to pursue careers in radio, television, or digital journalism.”

Award recipients each receive $2,500 and are invited to the RTDNA annual conference, hosted for leaders in the media industry. This year the conference was titled “The Year of the Team,” and it was held in-person in Denver, Colorado from September 23-24, 2021.

“In 2021, we’re celebrating The Year of the Team with two major pillars: Representation & Resilience,” RTDNA wrote on its website. “It’s the perfect chance for current and aspiring newsroom leaders at all levels to reconnect with likeminded news leaders, restore your wellbeing, rejuvenate yourself and your team, renew your passion, and refresh your skills.” 

"After meeting so many talented journalists, I felt re-energized and motivated to go out and do great reporting.”

While attending the conference, Han said he “met with prominent journalists and news leaders like Susan Zirinsky, the first female president of CBS News. I also met with young reporters from across the country who were also scholarship winners. After meeting so many talented journalists, I felt re-energized and motivated to go out and do great reporting.”

"Success in the newsroom and classroom have many similarities. Both require you to think fast with rigid deadlines, all while working collaboratively. My overall experience at Rutgers has helped me personally and professionally."  

In the future, Han hopes to base his career in a capital city such as Trenton, N.J. or Washington, D.C., or any state capital, as a political journalist.

Read our Q&A with Han to learn more and his experiences as a JMS student and his future plans.

Which professors and classes have had the most impact on you?

Two classes from my first year of college come to mind: Intro to Media with Professor Steven Miller and Writing for Media with Professor Leslie Savan. Professor Miller was an engaging and lively teacher who could make the most mundane aspects of media history entertaining during the early-morning lecture. Professor Savan — who came from a storied career at the Village Voice — would tell me of her experiences in the newsroom. Hearing those experiences was just as informative as the class itself. I learned a lot from her. 

How have you applied what you’ve learned at SC&I to your internship?

Success in the newsroom and classroom have many similarities. Both require you to think fast with rigid deadlines, all while working collaboratively. My overall experience at Rutgers has helped me personally and professionally.  

What are some of the most exciting parts of interning at POLITICO?

I’ve traveled to parts of the state I would have otherwise never been to, meeting the big personalities in New Jersey politics along the way. I also get to work with my brilliant colleagues in the New Jersey bureau, who are all experts in the subjects they cover and talented writers. I have nothing but positive things to say about the position and the people I work with. 

Discover more about the Journalism and Media Studies major at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information here.

Image: Courtesy of Daniel Han