The Honors College Communication Internship team plays an important role in sharing the Honors story. They showcase their storytelling skills in a variety of ways and through numerous communication channels.
This year, five students are part of the internship program, including three who are new to the team. Meet one of the new students, Ruth Mayfield! Mayfield is a sophomore journalism major who is also pursuing a minor in Spanish.
How did you find your way to the University of Missouri?
I had heard that the Missouri School of Journalism was world class, and although it was way off my radar, I decided to tour. As soon as I learned what journalism actually was and what the J-School could provide, I felt I had to apply. I was an avid researcher during college applications, and Mizzou was by far the best fit for what I wanted in my career prep and in my college experience. It’s an amazing combination.
What interested you in the School of Journalism at Mizzou?
The Missouri Method was right up my alley. I am a visual learner, a curious person and thrive when I get my hands dirty. I knew that at Mizzou, I would have the best chance to find what I’m actually passionate about before graduation through the real-world practice the J-School provides, teaches and encourages.
Could you talk about being part of the Honors College and some of the opportunities you’ve had through the college?
My favorite benefit of being in the Honors College was being in the Freshmen Interest Group (FIG) for Honors journalism students. I made some of my first friends who I still talk to today. We just had our fantasy football league draft, actually! My highlight in regard to events was being able to attend the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism ceremony, where I met Jorge Ramos, George Saunders and Maria Ressa. They were inspiring, and having my FIG there with me was so special, and they were the people who encouraged me to speak to the recipients. I’m definitely going to remember that night for years to come.
Do you have a favorite Honors class you’ve taken?
Being in the Honors College opened me up to my favorite types of classes. The courses were not necessarily more challenging but absolutely provided a deeper dive into the material. I participated in one class in the Honors Humanities Sequence, specifically the course Epic Destinies, Individual Journeys. My class had avid discussions about the nerdiest things: Gilgamesh’s fatal flaw, if Medea was truly the villain and stoicism versus toxic masculinity, for example. It’s important to me to have meaningful academic connections on a peer and mentor level, especially at a huge SEC school, and the Honors College provides just that.
What’s a fun fact about you that others may not know?
I’m passionate about prehistoric archaeology in the Americas. Since coming to college, I’ve kept that part of myself under wraps because otherwise, I’ll go on a passionate rant about rocks and the human condition. This interest came from an opportunity I had in high school to work on a professional dig site for three years. Our site borders the Gault Site (look it up, it’s so cool) and we found some of the oldest human-made things in the Western Hemisphere. I often go to the Museum of Art and Archaeology to look at similar items, but Mizzou has even older ones from abroad!