How I Found My Way to Journalism
I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. Whenever someone asked, I just said whatever popped into my head–artist, astronaut, maybe a nurse? Even in high school, I bounced between interests so quickly that when the pandemic shut down my final semester, I suddenly had to stop and ask: Now what?
College didn’t seem like a clear answer. Why spend that much money just to keep bouncing around in a new setting? Instead, I enrolled in my local community college, hoping I’d find something that felt right.
Then, a few months into lockdown, the world shifted again. This time, it wasn’t from COVID-19, but instead the third death of an unarmed Black person in the U.S. My hometown of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, like so many places, was reeling. People were protesting, educating, and organizing. I was watching, listening, and learning. And more than ever, I was paying attention to the news.
Through friends, I found a grassroots group working to raise a collective voice on national issues and make a local impact. I became a communications lead with other team members— helping craft a mission, organize events, and educate our community about racial and economic justice in Eastern North Carolina.
It was immensely meaningful. But what stuck with me most wasn’t just the activism–it was the stories. Listening to people, talking with them, shaping how their experiences were shared. Around that same time, I was deep into NPR podcasts, and between a Terry Gross interview and a news report from Steve Inskeep, something clicked. And I thought, “Wait, I do this!”
Locking back, it feels inevitable. Thanks to my parents, I grew up immersed in the news, from local TV in the mornings, 60 Minutes on Sundays, and NPR with my dad on the back porch. Even in elementary school, I was the kid asking teachers about things like how the 2011 debt limit deal is affecting their lives (confused stares included).
I think that’s what I always wanted to be growing up: A professional question-asker.
The Work That Shaped Me…
I truly thrived in my journalism classes at UNC, and I actually learned to finally love school! From the rigorous public affairs reporting class with Paul Cuadros, where I learned how to chase down a story and write under pressure, to a data journalism class with Ryan Thornburg that taught me the responsibility journalists have in following the numbers, each course pushed me to grow. The two most eye-opening experiences were feature writing with Cuadros and investigative reporting with Erin Siegel-McIntyre. In feature writing, I found my voice as a storyteller, merging news reporting with narrative to guide a profile or enterprise story. In investigative reporting, I discovered the power of nuance in long-form pieces, advocacy reporting, and the steps a reporter must take when they uncover a story that needs to be told.
Although I might not have a mountain of bylines yet, I’ve carefully chosen experiences that have shaped me into a versatile reporter. Along with the courses above, I’ve taken audio journalism, opinion writing, media law, political communication, and community journalism, to name a few.
I also gained reporting experience through my summer writing on the lifestyle desk at UNC’s student paper, The Daily Tar Heel. I learned to pitch stories to a larger newsroom, report in a small community, and rigorously edit articles on tight deadlines. Since November 2024, I’ve also been the social media manager for Whittle Micro-Press, a small digital poetry publication. I organize communication between the editor-in-chief and the authors, then curate social media posts to promote our mission to make submissions free and chapbooks accessible for all.
I’m thoughtful about the places I work, always considering the newsroom’s mission, the people I’ll learn from, and how my skills can contribute. One of the biggest highlights was working with D.C. Witness in Washington, DC, during my final semester at UNC. I must have a knack for unconventional endings to school, because instead of filling my time with senior festivities on campus, I chose to spend those last months reporting from the DC Superior Court.
At D.C. Witness, I juggled daily reporting and data entry, immersing myself in the fast-paced world of local crime coverage. Writing a news story almost daily while synthesizing data taught me the kind of stamina and curiosity every reporter needs. That semester solidified my belief that journalism’s role is to hold power accountable and ensure every story has a chance to be heard.
While my portfolio might not be as thick as others, I bring a deep passion for storytelling and a determination to ask the right questions. I love building relationships and staying in touch with sources for future stories. I’m excited to keep learning and to bring that same energy to every newsroom I join!
