Balancing the responsibilities of being a single father of two, working full time as a patient care technician and attending college is challenging enough. When Liberal Arts and Social Sciences student Nathan Medlock lost his mother at the start of the spring 2026 semester, the demands became even greater.

Rather than put his education on hold, Medlock persevered. That determination led him to a paid student journalist internship with the Greenfield Recorder, where he is gaining hands-on experience reporting stories that make a difference in the community. "I decided to commit to my courses while also being there for my family, which was a very conscious decision to keep persevering," he said.

Nathan’s talent for writing caught the attention of English professor William O’Connell during a writing composition class. Professor O'Connell suggested that Medlock pursue a writing internship, and after connecting with GCC Internship Coordinator David Brown, the perfect opportunity arose in the spring: a paid student journalist internship at the Greenfield Recorder. Now, Medlock spends his weeks researching local stories, formulating interview questions, conducting interviews and drafting articles for publication.

The internship is a fast-paced environment that has provided an immediate reality check. "I think this process has been an eye-opener for just how much time journalists spend behind the scenes and at the scene of stories in order to produce a printable article," Medlock said. "I would not have learned in this way by being in a classroom setting."

The transition came with a learning curve. Medlock noted that the first two weeks spent chasing leads and waiting for sources to return phone calls felt tedious. But once the interviews began clicking into place, he found his stride. His favorite project so far was a profile on John Andrews, a Moose Lodge member receiving a lifetime achievement award for his commitment to youth, seniors and volunteerism. "The story... was particularly moving because he was genuinely helping change people's lives," Medlock said, noting that Andrews was incredibly humble and kind.

As he looks toward graduating with his degree in social science, Nathan encourages other GCC students, especially those who might be hesitant, to take advantage of the college's internship opportunities. "An internship gives you the experience of what being in your career path might look like and it gives you experience in producing something tangible that you may not get in a classroom setting," he said. "Get out and try it!"