Intern Maggie Durnien Reflects on Semester at HottyToddy.com

The HottyToddy.com Internship: Gaining Experience and Having Fun

This semester is one I will never forget because through my internship experience with HottyToddy.com I gained invaluable experience. I got to put my journalism skills to the test and improve my writing all while working with great people who wanted me to succeed.

My name is Maggie Durnien and I am a sophomore Journalism major here at Ole Miss. I had the privilege of interning with HottyToddy.com this fall. As I look back at another semester in the books, it is safe to say this one will be remembered for many things. For example, being in the student section when the rebels beat LSU, passing my nearly impossible Southern Studies class, and most of all, my love of journalism that grew three sizes this semester thanks to my experience at HottyToddy.com.

The experience I gained at HottyToddy.com was invaluable. I started out as a girl who just loved to write, and now, thanks to HottyToddy.com, I have the confidence of a journalist. This confidence was built throughout the internship program.

With each new assignment, I learned so much about journalism. Whether it was learning what to photograph or what questions to ask to make the story, I grew with each story I wrote.

This is a great experience for young, aspiring journalists because, for the first time, you are held accountable for a story. You have a deadline. There are also weekly meetings to attend, where you are assigned a story. As interns, we asked questions and presented story ideas to people who want to make it happen for us. They are understanding of your course load and are an email, phone call, or office visit away from helping you with your stories. The people of HottyToddy.com are relentless in helping students make their stories appear on the website.

Along with gaining great experience in the field, working with great people, and improving my writing skills, I also had a blast! I got to cover goings on in Oxford, my favorite city on the planet. I combined my love of writing with my love of Oxford and everything Ole Miss, and that was a dream come true for me.

The weekly meetings held at the HottyToddy.com offices became something I looked forward to. At the meetings, I got to catch up with fellow interns, talk with the wonderful employees, and voice any ideas and get contacts for my story to get it rolling.

Through this experience, I have gained so much. Honestly, I could go on and on about all the benefits. Writing for this website is not only a great resume booster, but I am lucky to say that for my first internship I got to write about something I loved and cared about, Oxford and Ole Miss.

There is only one thing left to say, Hotty Toddy! and apply now. You won’t regret it.

– Maggie Durnien is a student in the Meek School of Journalism and New Media and a rock star intern! She can be reached at mkdurnie@go.olemiss.edu.