National Geographic intern brings D.C. journalism skills to science storytelling

Digital communication and media student Taylor Gutierrez is spending her second semester in Washington, D.C., working for her dream employer, National Geographic, as a global communications intern.   

“I am doing media and communications work, tracking press coverage for all of the documentary shows and films that Nat Geo works on that stream on Disney Plus,” Gutierrez said.  

Passionate about the power of storytelling, Gutierrez has relished the opportunity to see how the 130-year-old organization has evolved in its use of photos, videos and stories to spread knowledge of nature and culture. 

Around the organization's 11-story Washington office, she has met Nat Geo Explorers (one of which is Mireya Mayor who leads an FIU science communications initiative), photographers, people who work at the magazine, and the cast and production teams for documentary shows.  

Prior to this internship, Taylor was an NBCU Fellow and reporter for the D.C. Bureau of FIU’s South Florida Media Network, where she honed her skills as a journalist by reporting on how national news stories affect Miami.  

Landing her current internship was a three-month process involving interviews with staff from both Nat Geo and Disney Plus, but the wait has turned out to be worth it. 

“I honestly didn’t think I was going to get it because of how long the process took. But I got really lucky, and they were able to appreciate all my hard work — and my work ethic. They realized I had a lot to bring to the table,” Gutierrez said. 

Washington has been a great place for Gutierrez to live, learn and work for a better part of the past year because of the type of work available there due to the proximity of governmental institutions and major media companies. 

In the future, Gutierrez envisions herself uplifting voices and telling stories that haven’t been told before in documentary shows or documentary films. She says that from the start she wanted to be a photojournalist, and as she’s been exploring different types of journalism in the field, it seems she’s going back to her initial dream. She recommends young journalists explore and follow their hearts. 

“You'll know what type of journalist you want to be,” she said. “Give it time, effort and attention and you’ll find your place.” 

Gutierrez is one of 120 students and alumni who interned in Washington in the past year. Many of these internships are facilitated by FIU in Washington, D.C., which is opening a bold, new location this Fall.

— By Nicole Castaneda and Eric Feldman

FIU in Washington, D.C., is an integrated advocacy approach aimed at increasing FIU’s national reputation and federal support for FIU’s preeminent and emerging preeminent programs, faculty and students. The FIU in DC team collaborates with academic units to provide learning experiences and support the placement of students and alumni in internships and permanent employment. For more information on becoming a Washington, D.C. intern, visit talentlab.fiu.edu and email Eric Feldman at ericf@fiu.edu.