What was your first job as a journalist?
I was hired as a reporter for KAAL-TV (ABC-6) in Austin, Minnesota (Home of SPAM!) back in 2002.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Absolutely. Loved the sound. Hated the misfires.
How is social media changing news?
We are a 'short attention span' culture. Not only does social media break stories down, it happens as-it-happens. But it has to be right!
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email and Twitter.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
iNews. Twitter. Hootsuite. Final Cut Pro. Wordpress. Joomla. Facebook. LinkedIn. Email. Skype. Slingbox. Muck Rack. YouTube. And much more!
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter. Hated it in 2009. Love it in 2012.
Who do you wish followed you?
Peter Jennings. But not sure how much he would have Tweeted, if at all.
Why did you become a journalist?
It's exciting. It's something different everyday. If I had to crunch numbers or work in a factory, I'd lose my mind.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No, but I wrote a few articles for my small town newspaper. The Scandia, Minnesota 'Country Messenger'.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Get an internship as soon as possible. College can't possibly prepare you for a job in TV like an internship can.
