Please give a brief background on yourself and your career.
I landed in journalism somewhat serendipitously, shortly after graduating from Wellesley in 2006, and have been doing it ever since. In the past seven years, I’ve reported and edited for a weekly paper (The Wellesley Townsman, in fact!), gotten my master’s in journalism, done a couple of short stints in television and online, and spent the past four years producing and reporting for public radio, in New York City, Vermont, Maine, DC and Boston. I’m currently freelance producing for NPR’s midday show, Here & Now, at WBUR.
How has your career changed since you originally envisioned it at Wellesley? What other careers did you consider as a student?
I never seriously considered journalism at Wellesley. I didn’t write for my high school paper, didn’t write for the Wellesley News, didn’t have a show at WZLY and didn’t do any internships in journalism. I was more focused on non-profits, primarily those working in the realm of social justice and women’s issues. I also loved photography, and knew I wanted to travel. But career-wise, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do. Or rather, I had entirely too many ideas, and couldn’t pick one. Psychology, politics, non-profit advocacy work, post-bac pre-med program — I considered all of it. (And to be honest, I still do, some days!)
After graduating with a degree in American Studies, and just the bare minimum requirements in science and math, I became increasingly interested in medicine, and decided to focus my energy on landing a clinical research job. And I did. But in the week or so between getting the verbal offer and the official written offer, I learned about a part-time opening reporting for the local paper. At first I figured there might be a way I could do both simultaneously, so I interviewed. When it became clear that I would have to choose, I knew deep down that I had to give the paper a go. It was scary, turning down a full time job for a part time one, but it was just one of those opportunities that I knew I’d always wonder about if I didn’t take it. And I never really looked back. Within six weeks, the job became full time. I loved writing for the paper, and it started me down the path I’m still on.
How has Wellesley contributed to your career?
This question feels particularly timely — just in the past couple of months, I’ve connected with two different Wellesley alums in public radio, both of whom have been extraordinarily kind and generous, and gone out of their way to share experiences and wisdom, encourage me, introduce me to people and pass my resume along, without me even asking. At a particularly tumultuous time in my life and career, their support and kindness has meant the world to me. It’s also made me even more determined to pay it forward whenever I have the chance. I feel very thankful and fortunate to be part of such a strong, supportive, brilliant, successful group of women who are committed to helping one another. You don’t see that everywhere.
What is a typical work day or work week like for you?
It’s varied a lot, given all the different jobs I’ve had. Currently, though, it involves getting up around 6, getting to the office by 7 or 7:30, catching up on the news (“reading in,” in journalism speak), getting ready for the news meeting, coming out of the news meeting, getting an assignment for that day’s show, reading more about the given story or stories I’m producing for the day, finding and booking a guest, getting all the logistics squared away for either recording the interview in advance or having the guest go live, writing a script, notes and questions for the host, recording and cutting an interview for the show, or being in the control room while the interview happens live on air. After the show, which airs from 12-2, we have another short news meeting, and then start working ahead for the next day, or later that week… booking and preparing scripts for future interviews, or editing audio for interviews we’ve already taped so that they’re short (and good) enough to air. And then coming back in the next day and doing it all over again!
What piece of advice would you offer students looking to get into the journalism/radio industries?
Be flexible. Realize that within journalism and within public radio, there are many directions you can go, many paths you can take, and they can be very different. Talk to as many people as you can. Ask for advice, ask about their experiences. Listen. Stay in touch. Know that journalism is changing. Always be prepared to thoughtfully answer the question, “what do you think we can do better?” (That can be hard to do well, but it gets asked, a lot.) Spend a lot of time listening/reading/watching the kind of work you like and think you want to make. And then just get out there and report, or write, or shoot or produce stories. Starting local can be really great — often, at a smaller, local shop, you get to do everything, and you learn so much. Also: journalism school is expensive. It’s certainly not necessary, by any stretch of the imagination. But if you go to a great program, you’ll learn a lot, and you’ll make incredible friends and connections, both with fellow students and professors, that will serve you well throughout your life and career.
What do you wish you had known as a student?
That there isn’t one right career for anyone. Or, at least not for most people. Chances are, you won’t just figure out what you want to do with your life once at 18 or 22 and be done with it. Instead, you’ll probably be figuring it out and working through it again and again at various points forever. I think there is an expectation that that once you decide you want to be a lawyer or a doctor or a journalist or a teacher that’s it, that question is answered. And that’s often not the case. And that’s OK.