The Write Stuff
Alyssa Baer's favorite part of her newspaper internship was writing feature stories. Her least favorite part was man-on-the-street interviews. “People looked at me strangely when I walked up to them at Wal-Mart or the Goffstown library with a notebook in my hand,” the 2004 grad says.

But with general reporting, it all comes with the territory. She wrote about a children’s theater group, a retiring scout master, a high school robotics competition, a day in the life of a nurse, and the controversial election of a sewer commissioner. Alyssa had worked as a reporter and conews editor for The Crier, Saint Anselm’s student newspaper, but her six-credit internship built on that experience and strengthened her career aspirations.

“It was like The Crier on a bigger scale. I was involved in every aspect,” says the English major from Maryland. She attended editorial meetings, wrote news briefs and features, and photographed her own stories.

Neighborhood News publishes newspapers in Bedford, Goffstown, Bow, and Hooksett. Alyssa’s stories appeared in all four, but she worked with Bow Times editor Susan Clark.

Clark provided guidance, editing, and constructive criticism. “I had trouble with leads at first, and Susan helped me get better at them,” Alyssa says. Clark also explained to her that she needed to be more assertive in her interviewing style. “They told me I had to be more aggressive on the phone and not take no for an answer, even if it was a police chief. It was kind of hard to hear, but I think it was true. I’m working on it.”

Alyssa has lived overseas and earned a certificate in Russian Studies. She is taking her interest in international affairs to the Washington, D.C., area, where she hopes to work for a large news organization.

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