Concordia journalism student embarks on an internship at Le Devoir

Concordia undergrad Camila Lewandowski started an internship with Montreal’s top-rated French newspaper, Le Devoir, on June 10.

The third-year journalism student was selected from a competitive pool of talented applicants from across the university. She is part of the fourth cohort of interns benefiting from the partnership between the newspaper and Concordia that began in 2020.

Lewandowski, who is pursuing a minor in immigration studies, says she’s passionate about telling the stories of immigrants and refugees. It’s a topic close to her heart, since she herself immigrated to Canada from Argentina.

“Le Devoir is one of the best newspapers in the province,” she says. “Sarah Champagne, who just won the Judith-Jasmin Award, covers immigration, and that’s what I’m into. I’ll get to meet with her next week.”

Acquiring valuable skills

For Lewandowski, her selection for the internship was a surreal moment. “Journalism is a very competitive field, and we’re always told that we have to be super talented to start working at a newspaper,” she says.

“To have Le Devoir as my first internship is mind-blowing. I feel very privileged.”

Lewandowski quickly immersed herself in the bustling environment of the newsroom. Surrounded by highly accomplished peers, she is finding the experience invaluable.

“There are multiple interns — eight of us — and I’m the only one from an English-speaking university,” Lewandowski reports. “Four of the interns have backgrounds other than journalism. It’s a very mixed group, and we learn from each other.”

Her first week was a whirlwind of activities, including attending conferences and a trip to Ottawa where Lewandowski and her fellow interns met with deputies and senators to understand the daily workings of Parliament.

“It was busy and overwhelming, but it’s the best way to learn. Plus, everyone at Le Devoir has been incredibly supportive,” she says. “I’ve been learning a lot!”

Experiential learning at its best

Looking ahead, Lewandowski hopes to gain valuable feedback on her writing, improve her interviewing techniques and continue writing stories. She has already received detailed feedback on her articles and has been shadowing journalists to learn the intricacies of professional interviews.

Lewandowski highly recommends the internship to her Concordia peers. “They provide considerable freedom, allowing interns to pitch their own stories,” she says.

“If approved, we have the opportunity to cover the stories. I view it as an additional class, offering an excellent way to learn field reporting.”

In just a short time, Lewandowski has already contributed to stories, including one on the heat wave, and is currently working on a piece about the Campbell Concerts celebrating their 100th anniversary.

“Partnerships like the one between Concordia University and Le Devoir help foster relationships between the English and French-speaking communities and enrich the educational journey of students like Lewandowski,” explains Pascale Sicotte, dean of Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Science.

“Such experiential learning opportunities are invaluable for students, providing them with practical skills and real-world experience that enhance their academic studies.”
 

Find out more about internships at Le Devoir

Discover Concordia’s Department of Journalism.