What was your first job as a journalist?
I worked on my high school newspaper. The summer before college I received my first paid job writing blog posts for a site called 10kdo.
How is social media changing news?
Social media is the way that reporters research and disseminate news. When I research, one of the first things I do is look at social media.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist means asking questions and digging for those deeper answers. We're there to discover, to record, and to inform.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I always have my Zoom H2 recorder, my iPhone, and sometimes a HD video camera with me when I go out on interviews or to report on events.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I worked for the Boise Highlights. I wrote. I took photos. I page edited. Eventually I became the editor in chief. It was my favorite class.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
In college, I produced a story on raw milk. It required discussing challenging topics with sources who weren't seeking media attention.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
I'm very much a newcomer to this business, but I suppose my advice to aspiring journalists would be to follow your passions and dig.
