The Voice of OC newsroom keeps nurturing the next generation of journalists through fellowships and other mentoring opportunities.
Aspiring journalists like, Melanie Nguyen, 24, who recently joined the renowned Press Democrat in Northern California’s Sonoma County as a business reporter following a Voice of OC fellowship.
During her Voice fellowship Nguyen explored how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Orange County businesses.
“After talking, we kind of created this beat for me that we called the new economy beat, which was kind of focused on the economy and businesses in a post-pandemic world,” said Nguyen. “The story on the bookstore was probably my favorite story to cover, because it had a lot of different layers to it.”
Nguyen’s story on independent bookstores across OC was one of the most read of the year.
[Read: The Plot Twist for Used Bookstores: An Unprecedented Lockdown]
In addition, Nguyen also published two stories looking into outdoor dining and pop-up markets at local malls.
[Read: Has Outdoor Dining Served its Course in Orange County?]
[Read: The Survival of Small Businesses at Pop-up Markets]
Nguyen credits Voice of OC’s founding Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Norberto Santana, Jr., with teaching her essential early reporting skills.
“The most valuable insight that Norberto said to me when I first started writing for Voice, is that to be a good journalist, you have to be patient, persistent and resilient,” said Ngyuen. “That’s something that I still carry with me now, and it’s something that I really try to work into my career now.”
“That’s probably one of the most valuable pieces of advice that I got when I first came into this industry, and I’m fortunate enough to have good mentors, like Norberto.”
During her business, marketing and journalism studies at California State University, Fullerton, Nguyen worked on the Daily Titan as a news editor.
Nguyen’s time with Voice – along with her freelancing with the Imperial Valley Press, Chino Hills City Lifestyle Magazine and California Broker Magazine simultaneously – ended after she joined the Bakersfield Californian in 2023 as a full time staff writer, where she worked as a public safety reporter.
“Journalism isn’t an easy field to enter,” Santana said. “In addition to deep commitment, training and at-bats are key.”
“Melanie’s dedication and hard work on a really tough set of stories that spanned nearly a year – along with her new beat – are a clear example of what an aspiring journalist can do if they stick to it.”
In addition to a Collegiate News Service partnership with Chapman University, the Voice of OC also offers select fellowships and internship opportunities along with the Tracy A. Wood Fellowship, a program mentoring women in journalism.
To be considered for a news internship or reporting fellowship, reach out to admin@voiceofoc.org.
To support these kinds of journalism training efforts, donate here.
