What was your first job as a journalist?
I worked on the sports copy desk at The Des Moines Register right out of college.
How is social media changing news?
It's pushing us to change the way we approach breaking news. Stories need to go deeper. Headlines need to draw more interest.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Kermit the Frog.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
There's a responsibility to provide the complete story in a timely manner with clarity, consistency and correctness.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
WordPress, Adobe and Office suites, CCI NewsGate, Presto and more.
Why did you become a journalist?
I was told by my seventh-grade English teacher that my writing was too direct and succinct, like a journalist instead of whatever he wanted.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
At my high school newspaper, I wrote sports and entertainment stories, then became entertainment editor.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
If you're serious about this field, get as much experience as you can as quickly as you can and never stop. No one is going to wait for you.
