News & Media

New York, New York

OWU Student Completing 2 Internships in the Big Apple

We have another student feature: Liz Hardaway, a Houston native, is a current senior at Ohio Wesleyan University. We’re happy to have her in New York with us!

Q: What is your internship?
A: I’m an intern at John Sayles’ Anarchists’ Convention on Mondays and Fridays. I’m also interning at Straus News, reporting on the Chelsea area.

Q: Why this internship?
A: With Straus News I get to write a weekly story on basically anything I want to cover. There’s a lot of freedom to write about something that interests you, as long as it is also newsworthy and relevant to your area. The pitch meetings are also useful to workshop story ideas and gather resources. At Anarchists’ Convention, I’ve always wanted to learn how to do public relations work as well as social media management. With this, I get that opportunity to experience something new.

Q: Does this tie in with your major/what you want to do in life?
A: I’m a journalism major, so these are right up my ally. What I’m doing at Straus is giving me experience in an actual newsroom, and preparing me to write and gather stories for after I graduate.

Q: What has been your best experience so far?
A: Probably waking up at six in the morning to go on Good Morning America. Steve from Stranger Things waved back at me and it was magical.

Q: Worst?
A: When my Twix got stuck in the vending machine. This has happened on multiple occasions.

Q: Subway or walking?
A: Subway.

Q: Best events you’ve been to around the city?
A: The best one was probably the Dog Halloween Festival in Tompkin’s Square Park. Seeing all the dogs in their costumes was hilarious and adorable. Global Citizens Festival was also super fun during the fall. Right now Columbus Circle is having “Broadway Under the Stars” where they have people from Broadway performing their songs. I saw performers from Kinky Boots on Monday. The NYC Marathon was surprisingly fun; everyone’s energy was so contagious. There’s always something going on.

Q: Any tips on how to save money while living here?
A: Buy groceries. They last a lot longer than that Chick-Fil-A sandwich you’ve been craving.

Q: Favorite part of NY? Park? Midtown? Queens? Brooklyn? Etc.
A: Right now it’s Bryant Park. With the ice skating rink and the holiday shops set up, I’ve found myself going back frequently to get hot chocolate and get in the holiday spirit.

Q: Is there something you are looking forward to doing?
A: Watching the Macy’s Parade with my family on Thanksgiving day.

Q: Have you found any hidden spots in NY that you wanna share?
A: I wouldn’t say anything is super hidden in New York. Honestly, I just check Facebook constantly for pop-up shops and events. Right now there’s a Taylor Swift pop-up going on downtown on Fulton Street.

Q: Seen any celebs yet?
A: Yes! On Good Morning America there was Joe Keery, as well as all the lovely anchors. I also saw Kate Hudson, Ryan Seacrest, Kelly Clarkson, and Kelly Ripa on Live with Ryan and Kelly. The only personal interactions I’ve had, though, was at my job when I had tea with Chris Cooper, which was super exciting.

---

This article is republished with permission from the New York Arts Program blog.