We talked to Avery about his early experiences in journalism and how he hopes to grow in the profession.
This summer, The Providence Journal is excited to welcome Avery Hill to the newsroom as a sports intern.
A resident of Maryland, Avery started on June 16 and will be a full-time presence in our newsroom and on the fields of Rhode Island through mid-August, when he will head back to Penn State University to continue his academic career.
We talked with Avery about his early experiences in journalism and how he hopes to grow in the profession.
Why are you interested in journalism? What topics are you most interested in?
I'm interested in journalism because I have a passion for telling and uncovering unique stories. Growing up, I've always had the chance to see so many unique stories told not just in the sports or journalism realm, but in the entire world. I became interested in journalism specifically because I noticed my writing abilities in the English classes that I dreaded most. Playing sports and being a sports nerd in high school, I put the two together. I am most interested in sports journalism, specifically in long-form and enterprise pieces. Still, I've had experience covering the culture and identity beat at my school, and I've grown to love all forms of journalism.
What are you hoping to get out of your internship with The Providence Journal?
I am hoping to grow as a writer and challenge myself to seek out stories that I'm unfamiliar with. Covering sports in summer sports is a challenge in itself, as there aren't many teams playing. If I can find a great story during the summer, I can find one anywhere – especially given the fact that I didn't grow up in or near Rhode Island. I also would like to pick the brains of colleagues and editors to gain knowledge from their perspectives. Getting the chance to write for a publication like The Providence Journal is an incredible opportunity, and I'm excited to see how I progress this summer.
Tell us about some of your favorite journalism-related experiences from Penn State University.
My favorite journalism-related experience from Penn State has to be my time covering Penn State football during the 2024 season with The Daily Collegian. I was a reporter and got the chance to cross many states off my bucket list, including attending the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis, the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona and the Orange Bowl in Miami. Each trip was a chance for me to not just experience new things, but to challenge myself to get better at every turn, with a grueling 16-game season that stripped me from my winter break. The pressure of capturing every moment and fighting through adversity allowed me to push myself, and I'm very proud of my work. Additionally, I enjoy my time with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) at Penn State, where we attend yearly conferences and I serve as the chapter president.
What are some things you want readers to know about you?
What I would like readers to know about me is that I am very passionate about pushing myself to the fullest extent. My drive has assisted me in my various endeavors, and I do my best to evaluate myself constantly to ensure that. As I go through this summer, I am looking for any and all feedback that will help me along the way. I think that connecting with readers is important, as I attempt to learn something new every day. I hope all of you are able to enjoy the work I put forth this summer.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Avery Hill to serve summer sports internship with Providence Journal
Category: General Sports
