By Wildert Marte
ONEONTA — A few semesters ago, I sat in a SUNY Oneonta classroom with no idea that a simple thought would turn into a full-blown newspaper internship and now, I’m back. Returning to write for The Mountain Eagle means more to me than I can explain in one sentence. This paper became part of my story, and it’s a privilege to be back with even bigger plans ahead. When I walk around campus now, I’m not just another student. Professors, including ones I’ve never had, have approached me and encouraged me to attend journalism events or apply for opportunities because of the work I’ve done here. It’s surreal. I’m a Business Administration major with a minor in Communication Studies, not a journalism student, yet my work has found its place in local history pieces, feature profiles, and community stories.
So how did this all start? It began with Professor Matthew Avitabile. I took two of his courses early on at SUNY Oneonta and did well in both. I liked his teaching style, and I liked the kinds of conversations that came out of his classes. So I enrolled in a third. One day while sitting in his classroom, a random but persistent idea came to me What if I joined the newspaper? More specifically, What if I could get my name in print? I’ve always had a natural love for media. Whether it was newspapers, TV, shows, or podcasts, I was drawn to storytelling. I’ve also always been creative even though I’m studying business, that artistic side never went away. So, I figured, why not ask? I approached Professor Avitabile after class and asked if there was a chance I could intern at The Mountain Eagle. I wasn’t expecting much. In my head, maybe I’d write one small article per month, if anything. But instead of brushing me off, he looked at me and said something I didn’t expect he was already a fan of my writing from the classes we have taken and essays i have written. He agreed right then and there. That moment changed my future college experience. Of course, getting started wasn’t instant. There was a lot of paperwork to file through. Internship applications, approvals, credits the behind-the-scenes stuff took a couple of months to complete. But I stayed with it, and once it was official, I dove in.
Writing for the paper wasn’t easy at first. I had a lot going on personally and academically. The pressure of deadlines was real. But over time, I got used to the rhythm. I began pitching topics I cared about. I got better at chasing leads, setting up interviews, editing my own work and others' work. And slowly, something shifted. It stopped feeling like a school project and started to feel like my work. I didn’t just write for the grade. I wrote because I genuinely loved it. There were real costs. I spent a significant amount of my own money on travel, equipment, and food on assignment/travel days. For a college student, that adds up quickly. But honestly, none of that ever bothered me. I didn’t do this for the money. I did it because it mattered to me. This internship gave me purpose. It gave me a new set of skills, a stronger resume, and, more than anything, it gave me pride in my work.
One of the best parts of this journey has been meeting people outside the campus bubble, people from small towns across the region who actually read the paper. Seeing my name printed under headlines and hearing that someone recognized or enjoyed my work was one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve had in college. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunities this internship has brought me. It gave me more than experience, it gave me direction. And now that I’m back with school funding hopefully secured, I plan to do even more. I won’t have to worry about the financial side this time. Instead, I can focus on what I do best: writing stories that matter to me and, hopefully, to our readers.
This semester, I’ve got some big projects in mind. I’m not just aiming to write, I'm aiming to build something. Stories that highlight communities, businesses, history, and people who don’t always get a spotlight. I want to continue growing as a writer, and I want the paper to grow with me. So to everyone who’s supported me, read my work, or encouraged me to keep going thank you. And to the readers picking up this issue of The Mountain Eagle: I’m back.
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