Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend the Journalism Academy hosted by The Tennessean, where I learned more about what goes on behind the scenes in a newsroom and what it takes to be a journalist. This wouldn’t have been possible without Dr. JoEllen Weedman’s recommendation to have me attend this two-day event. In fact, I wouldn’t be where I am without her guidance and belief in me. The skills that I have learned during my time at Trevecca have allowed me to get this far and have provided the opportunity for experiences like this one.
At the academy, I visited The Tennessean with 15 other students from other universities in Tennessee. During my time at the paper, I got to speak with editors and journalists who spoke about their careers and how they made it to where they are now. I enjoyed learning about their journeys and hearing their advice to student journalists. One prominent journalist I enjoyed and admired is The Tennessean’s Beyonce reporter, Cache McClay, who treated me kindly and offered all her knowledge about working on a unique beat like hers.
I also had a chance to participate in a Q&A with multiple journalists, focusing on topics such as pitching story ideas, feature and investigative writing, digital production, building resumes and applying for jobs. It was a blessing to speak with so many professionals in this field, and I left encouraged and optimistic about my future.
Just as much as I enjoyed speaking with professional journalists, I also gained a lot from learning about my peers and what they hope to accomplish in the future. As a multimedia journalism student, the experience at the academy has helped me understand the ins and outs of a newsroom. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Weedman for selecting me to attend, and to Tennessean City Editor Liz Schuaber for hosting the program and being so accommodating.