Kevin Caparoso didn’t always dream of becoming a journalist. It wasn’t until his second semester at El Camino College that he realized it was possible to combine his interest in arts and culture under the umbrella of media. 

“When I got to that school, I still was undecided in what to study,” Carson resident Caparoso said. “I was between film, English and journalism, and journalism enticed me because I have all these other random interests like entertainment, arts and all that pop culture stuff. I thought ‘cool, with journalism I can just write about stuff that I like.’”

So, he took a journalism class to try it out. The word he used to describe it? “Rough.”

“I got a C,” he admitted. “And at that point, I was doing really well at community college. Every English class I took, I passed. I was passing everything with an A or B. So that one … it was really tough for me because it was so different.” 

But he didn’t let that stop him. He put in the time to memorize AP style rules, he got used to working under deadlines and he jumped into the chaotic world of journalism Twitter. Slowly, he started to get the hang of it, eventually joining The Union, the student newspaper.

While in community college in Torrance, Caparoso worked his way up from a staff writer to the arts editor of that publication. He loved it so much, he also started working for another student publication: Warrior Life Magazine. By the time he graduated from El Camino with an associate’s degree in 2020, he was editor-in-chief of Warrior Life. 

To continue his journalism education, Caparoso transferred to California State University Long Beach, where he worked as community engagement manager, then managing editor, for the Daily Forty-Niner student newspaper. Earlier this summer, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Asked what story cemented his love for journalism as a student reporter, Caparoso didn't have to think twice.

"I interviewed a student for a pretty long feature — I reported on it for like three months — and it was more of a magazine piece. She was a welder, and also a mother," he said. "I talked to people in the welding industry, in unions, about women in welding, just getting the overall bigger story. ... and that really stood out to me in my college career. It really defined my style of reporting that I want to do."

When he heard about The Desert Sun’s internship opportunity shortly before graduation, Caparoso was immediately intrigued. After getting a good vibe from his initial interview, he had a feeling Palm Springs was a place he could do the kind of people-centric reporting he craved. 

Since starting this month, Caparoso has begun two arts and entertainment stories — which he'll do many of throughout his summer/fall internship — and soon will dip his toes into the Ask The Desert Sun project. When he's not writing and reporting with the features team, he'll be busy with his fellowship with flytedesk, a technology company that powers campus media advertising.

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"I want to write really good stories. I want to develop my skills as a reporter, and I want to get several things published," he said. "And I'm hoping this internship shows me that either I want to pursue this — either here or somewhere else — or another opportunity, but I do like creating."

After publishing a front-page freelance story before even starting the internship, Caparoso is already well on his way to achieving his goals. 

His ultimate goal, however, is even greater. 

"I want to win the Pulitzer."

Caparoso joined The Desert Sun thanks to contributions to the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation, which underwrites this paid internship. 

The nonprofit identifies needs in the local journalism ecosystem and seeks out grants and donations from individuals and foundations to bridge those gaps. The CVJF is a 501 (c) 3 organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible.

To donate, visit www.cvjf.org.