Six Iowa State students have been selected to participate in the Dotdash Meredith Apprentice Program for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Now in its 20th year, the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication’s partnership with Dotdash Meredith places Iowa State students in year-long apprenticeships at the nation’s largest digital and print publisher.
This year’s assignments include editorial and graphic design apprenticeships with media brands, including Better Homes & Gardens, EatingWell, Travel + Leisure, REAL SIMPLE and Traditional Home, and Dotdash Meredith’s Premium Publishing group.
Students will work in person out of the company’s Des Moines office and remotely with teams based in New York and Vermont.
“We have a high level of interest in the apprentice program, and our incoming apprentices bring many skills and experiences from academics, student media, extracurriculars and internships,” said Maria Charbonneaux, assistant professor of practice and Dotdash Meredith Professional in Residence. “They’re eager for the opportunity to continue building their skills in editorial and graphic design. We’re very appreciative that Dotdash Meredith continues to provide this invaluable professional opportunity.”
The part-time, paid apprenticeships offer students real-world work experience alongside seasoned professionals who serve audiences through both digital and print platforms. More than 100 Iowa State students have worked as apprentices since the program was established at Iowa State in 2004. Apprenticeships also can be used for Greenlee students’ JL MC 499A required internship.
“The Dotdash Meredith Apprentice Program is an aspirational experience for so many of our students. I congratulate this current cohort of apprentices and look forward to what they achieve working with Dotdash Meredith professionals over the next year. We thank Dotdash Meredith for this ongoing partnership,” said Michael Dahlstrom, director of the Greenlee School and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Professor.”
Meet the 2023-2024 Dotdash Meredith apprentices from Iowa State:
Arabella Hau
Travel + Leisure
Editorial
Arabella is a senior from Madrid, Iowa, majoring in public relations with a minor in apparel merchandising and design at Iowa State University. She’s gained professional experience as a communications assistant with the Iowa Water Center and a content writer for the Center for Industrial Research and Service. She’s also active in student media, having held positions as a lifestyle reporter and College of Design beat reporter for the Iowa State Daily and as an editorial staff writer and stylist for Trend magazine. She previously served as a member of the public relations team for The Fashion Show and participated in a study abroad program at Université Sorbonne Paris Nord in France. In summer 2023, she is interning with the City of Des Moines.
Claire Hoppe
Better Homes & Gardens
Editorial
Claire is a rising senior from Sibley, Iowa, majoring in journalism and mass communication with a minor in criminal justice. She has held several roles at the Iowa State Daily, including women and gender studies reporter, diversity news editor and Voices Editor. She is currently an intern with the Ames Police Department. This semester, she is a part of Greenlee Investigates, a class focused on cold case investigative journalism. Claire enjoys all things related to home and crafting and writes a personal blog focused on finding joys in the little things in life. She is also a recipient of the Greenlee School’s prestigious Draper Scholarship.
Lola Jarzemsky
Traditional Home
Editorial
Lola is a rising senior studying fashion communication and journalism and mass communication at Iowa State University. In summer 2023, the Gilberts, Illinois, native was a remote contributing writer and styling assistant with New York-based Photobook magazine. She has been an active member of Trend magazine for three years, most recently serving as the beauty director. She is a member for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and works as bridal consultant at Modern Dress in Boone, Iowa.
Tessa Judge
Premium Publishing
Graphic Design
Tessa is a rising senior from Rogers, Minnesota, majoring in graphic design with a minor in general business. She has completed two internships: a graphic design internship with Arizona-based SPS+ Architects in summer 2022 and a marketing and human resources internship with Atek Metal Technologies in summer 2021. In summer 2023, she’s working as a graphic design intern with IN Food Marketing and Design in Minneapolis. She works on campus as an administrative assistant with the academic success center. She has also been involved with several student organizations, including Women Who Design, Trend magazine and Chi Omega Sorority.
Megan Lenzi
REAL SIMPLE
Editorial
A rising senior from Libertyville, Illinois, Megan is studying fashion communications and journalism and mass communication at Iowa State University. She has completed marketing internships with Steve Madden and Brynn Capella Handbags, and she’s interning with the wholesale digital commerce team at Ralph Lauren in summer 2023. She’s also active in student media: she served as a lifestyle reporter for the Iowa State Daily and has held a number of roles with Trend magazine, including copy editor, fashion writer, and public relations and advertising director. Megan was a 2023 modeling director of The Fashion Show at Iowa State and a 2023 Fashion Scholarship Fund scholar. She’s currently the e-commerce and lead store manager at Innovate 1858, Iowa State’s student-run retail store.
Sadie Schulte
EatingWell
Editorial
Sadie is a rising senior from Elkhart, Iowa, majoring in advertising and apparel merchandising and design (with an emphasis in fashion communications) at Iowa State University. She currently works on campus as the social media coordinator for the department of human development and family studies. She previously worked in visual merchandising with Iowa State’s Innovate 1858 student-run retail store and in e-commerce with Lil Miss Chic Boutique in Grinnell, Iowa. Sadie is a reporter for the Iowa State Daily’s Niche vertical, which is focused on events and lifestyle content, and she’s involved in the production of The Fashion Show, serving as a modeling director and a member of the music and technology committee. She previously served as a committee member for Trend magazine.