What was your first job as a journalist?
My first journalism gig was as an environmental reporter with the Great Lakes Echo in 2021 as a fresh journalism student at Michigan State University. I knew I had a passion for science communication so I took the leap on the opportunity with only a few writing samples to show. Somehow my editor, Dave Poulson, had enough grace to take a chance on me and helped me hone my skills. Fast forward three years and several other journalism jobs and I’m currently back at the Echo.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes. I have major respect for writers of the past - typing must not have been for the faint-hearted.
How is social media changing news?
In the information age, journalists must step into an expert role in news-sharing. With the addition of hundreds of new ways to consume information, the public must make decisions about which sources to trust and consume. When journalism is poorly done, truth may be misrepresented or covered up and this opens up windows of questioning among consumers. Do some news sources have a greater loyalty to truth and accuracy? How can consumers know what is true when there are so many sources of information? Journalists must be well-trained in communication and people skills in order to gain the trust of readership. This is especially important for environmental, science and health reporting where facts are just that - facts. There should be no debate over the verity of observed patterns and experiences within the world. Delivering facts and complex socio-ecological concepts requires tact and accuracy in order for the public to trust the authority of good journalism as information sources.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Reach me via email at kaylanelsen02@gmail.com. Introduce yourself, give me some background and be ready to have a conversation with me.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
WordPress, Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, Adobe Suite, various social media platforms, Otter.ai.
What's your favorite social network?
I use X for story-sharing and journalism networking. Instagram is my inspiration tool - I often find interesting people doing interesting things to talk to. Follow me on LinkedIn to connect with me professionally (
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-nelsen-776993259/).
Why did you become a journalist?
Finding connections between people and ideas has always brought me great satisfaction. I believe that connection is powerful and is a pathway to greater empathy and understanding. Journalism allows me to seek out areas that lack connection and make those connections through storytelling. If listening and sharing what I’ve learned is how I can contribute to these connections, then journalism is what I gladly do.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The first story I wrote for the Great Lakes Echo was about the importance of food in Native American communities. As a member of a different cultural community, it was my responsibility to listen well to my sources. I had much to learn. The stories of the people I spoke with were significant to them and I felt proud to get to share those stories with the larger Great Lakes Echo readership. The article ended up gaining a lot of traction across the region and I felt that it connected diverse communities through a common interest in food and culture.
https://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/02/indigenous-entrepreneurs-reclaim-food-system/
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Get really good at listening. You’ll be tempted to write the story before you’ve even heard the story from your sources. Avoid this at all costs - it distracts you from understanding a person’s lived reality and puts your pride at the forefront of the interview. Listen, listen, listen and then ask, ask, ask.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime. Stories don't happen at my convenience.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
What's your favorite drink?
Coffee. Preferably made using my AeroPress with beans from a cafe I’ve visited. With a splash of half-and-half to cut the acidity (but not mask the strong flavors). Call me a true journalist, I guess.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On a trail, running. I have this condition I like to call FONBO, a.k.a Fear of Not Being Outside. If I could spend all my time outdoors, I would. Especially if it means getting to move my body and see beautiful things.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I love picking up the local paper whenever I travel somewhere. These publications are often hyper-pertinent to community members and give me a good idea of the context I’m stepping into. Other than that, I admire Grist’s reporting and visual design for its clarity and accessibility.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
The environmental beat is often referred to as the ‘doom and gloom desk.’ While environmental degradation and climate change are certainly heavy topics, I strongly believe that this beat does not have to live up to its nickname. In all the heaviness, there is such potential for focusing on real solutions to tip the scale towards hope and gratitude. As I report on these topics, I try to keep this hope top-of-mind.
