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Nikita wins newspaper's Intern of the Year award
University of the Sunshine Coast journalism graduate Nikita Lee recently won the Sunshine Coast Daily’s inaugural Intern of the Year award.
Nikita, 21, completed two internships with the newspaper – one with the Daily’s features department and the other as a general news reporter – before she graduated in May.
She received her award from Editorial Manager Andy Kippen in front of the newspaper’s busy newsroom on Wednesday 30 May.
“The internship gave me confidence and I learnt the best parts of the media,” she said. “It was great to be at the Daily, working under professionals who gave me guidance”.
Nikita said the keys to a good internship included using skills gained from university, showing initiative, and accepting advice from experienced staff members.
The judging panel for the award comprised Mr Kippen, Sunshine Coast Daily Features Editor Shirley Sinclair and USC journalism lecturer Gill Cowden.
The panel said they selected Nikita from 15 interns because of her strong work ethic and for having numerous articles published.
“Nikita was a quiet achiever,” Ms Sinclair said. “She got the job done and always looked for more work.”
Nikita has since gained a full-time position as a journalist with the Bundaberg News-Mail.
– Katrina Scott