For Casey Chan-Smutko ’26, a journalism major, attending the 2023 Online News Association (ONA) Conference was invaluable in her growth as a journalist. The trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was funded by the Harrington RhodyNow Fund.
Chan-Smutko first learned about the opportunity from the Good Five Cent Cigar, where she is a news editor, and applied for a Students & New Professionals Scholarship from ONA. She received the scholarship, which awarded her a pass to the conference. The Harrington School paid for the rest of the expenses for the trip.
“I was also relieved that I got help because I was looking at how much everything cost, and I thought, I’m not sure how I could pay that for myself,” Chan-Smutko said. “Harrington not only covered the travel and hotel but also provided me with a stipend for food.”
During the conference, she spent most of her time working in the Student Newsroom, where students were paired with a mentor who guided them in writing a variety of stories. While working in the newsroom, an early morning fire alarm provided an opportunity for Chan-Smutko to cover some breaking news.
“At 6 a.m. on Friday, a hotel alarm went off,” Chan-Smutko said. “The alarm was right next to my bed, so I woke up in a panic, thinking, ‘What’s going on?’ I immediately texted the Student Newsroom group chat and said I wanted to cover the fire alarm going off. I’d never covered a breaking story like that before.”
Chan-Smutko also had the chance to attend panels and sessions that covered a wide variety of topics, including diversity in the newsroom, time management, and more. At these events, Chan-Smutko was able to network with her peers and professional journalists.
” There were 19 other students [in the Student Newsroom], and we bonded quickly,” she said. “We have still been talking. It’s just been great. We have great communication and learned a lot from each other.”
Looking back on the conference, Chan-Smutko said she gained much from the experience. She learned to be a better writer and gained valuable professional insights. She says the conference made her passion for journalism grow.
“I can’t believe I was offered this experience,” Chan-Smutko said.. “I had a wonderful experience, and I’ve learned so much from it. Now, I know I definitely want to be in the journalism industry.”
Experiential learning and networking opportunities can be transformative experiences in a student’s college career. Through the support of our donors, the Harrington School provides financial assistance for internships, conferences, and networking events. Support our students with a donation to the Harrington RhodyNow Fund.
