Growing up in the ever-changing political environment of Wisconsin sparked Jordyn Noennig’s (IPJ 15) interest in politics at an early age. Upon heading off to college and deciding on a career path, her interest in current events led her to pursue a career in journalism to do unbiased reporting on what happens in the exhilarating world of politics.

With two years of student leadership and internship experience attained at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Noennig applied to the TFAS Institute on Political Journalism (IPJ) program for the summer of 2015 to take her love for reporting and politics to the next level.

As a TFAS student intern, Noennig was able to cover votes in Congress and supreme court decisions on issues such as the Affordable Care Act and gay marriage legalization.

“With journalism it’s really important to get out-of-class experience,” Noennig said. “That’s where you’re really going to learn. It was amazing just to be in D.C., learn more about reporting and have those big-topic clips in my name.”

Last fall, Noennig applied what she learned at TFAS to her student broadcast, PantherVision, when they had the unique opportunity to cover a democratic presidential debate held at her university.

Along with a team of students, Noenning was honored for her production work on the project with a NATAS Student Achievement Award from the Television Academy, the producers of the Chicago/Midwest Emmy® Awards.

Noennig attributes her strengths in journalism to the ideas and practices she learned in Professor Richard Benedetto’s Journalism Internship Seminar course at IPJ. She says learning directly from a seasoned journalist like Benedetto taught her to ask better questions to gain a deeper understanding of each story.

Noennig also notes her TFAS experience as a stepping stone to success, not just in journalism, but in all aspects of her future. Like many TFAS students, Noennig took advantage of the countless workshops, networking meetings and seminars focused on making sure students have the keys to succeed in any professional environment.

No matter where my career goes, IPJ has helped me advance in my professional development,” Noennig said.

Noennig thanks TFAS supporters for helping her get where she is today and says that the ideas she learned through the program are an integral alternative to what most students receive at public university.

“The people who give to TFAS helped me get to D.C. and opened the doorways for my future,” Noennig said. “I would encourage them to keep giving because I want other students to have that experience in opening up their views, no matter what career they want to go into,” Noennig said.

Do you know an aspiring journalist who would benefit from a TFAS education? Applications for the 2017 Institute on Political Journalism (IPJ) and all TFAS U.S. Summer Programs are open. Learn more at www.DCinternships.org/IPJ.

To support the education of more successful student leaders, please visit www.TFAS.org/support.