Au Revoir, Les Enterns

Austin Community College

Ayeesha Green (sophomore, mass communication. Anticipated graduation: December 2012) and Meghan Ruth Speakerman (ACC, 2005-2009; Texas State alumna, August 2012), interviewed by Jordan Gass-Pooré.

Austin Chronicle: Why ACC?

Ayeesha Green: I was laid off in 2010 and decided to enroll at ACC full time before transferring to Texas State – Round Rock.

Meghan Ruth Speakerman: It's affordable. Some of the best professors I've had are at ACC. I recommend Todd Phillips' Spanish class and Jennifer Lyons-Hunt's history class – despite what RateMyProfessors.com may say.

Extracurricular Activities

AG: Interning with the Chronicle is all I can handle. I'm a 41-year-old student, so I don't have the same type of stamina as a young student. I have a 22-year-old son and a 26-year-old stepson. We work out together.

MRS: I'd wanted to write for the Chronicle since I was in eighth grade. I'm in the process of joining the Online News Assoc-iation's Austin chapter. I have a business, Busy Hands Crafts. I also love swimming and being outdoors with my dogs. Oh, and I eat for fun. Food turns me on.

AC: Ayeesha, what do your sons think about you going back to school?

AG: They enjoy it. Sometimes they help me with my math, because they've had to go through calculus. They know that I put a lot of effort into my education. They're pretty proud of what I'm doing.

AC: Meghan, when did you decide to take on an internship and to continue beyond ACC?

MRS: Initially, I was just going to get an Associate's in journalism. I was interning at the Chronicle, and Kate Messer told me to get a Bachelor's degree, so she kind of made me come into the "real world." I put myself through school [by] catering, so I asked about writing for the Food section. Virginia [Wood, Food editor] needed an intern. Now I sometimes do food blogging. I've learned a lot about social media, especially humor on Twitter, [and] when it's appropriate to use it. I just need to stay away from humor all together.

Ayeesha's Study Spots

• Off-campus: I spent a lot of time studying Spanish at King Noodle in Cedar Park. They have huge tables to spread out all my books, and free wi-fi. The staff there is great and pretty tolerant of college students.

• On-campus: The learning labs at Round Rock (Building 200, Rm. 2330), and Cypress Creek (Main Building 2108)

Meghan's Study Spot

• Off-campus: When I attended the south campus on Manchaca and Stassney, I always studied at Bakehouse. They have free wi-fi, friendly staff, and food from all over the world.