Job Title: Staff Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
USC Course of study: M.A., Print Journalism
Describe your current occupation:
I cover the hotel and casino industry at the newspaper’s Los Angeles bureau. I report and write a variety of business stories focused on my industry. Though based in L.A., I often travel to Las Vegas and New York to cover news and events.
How did you get there?
The road to the WSJ was fairly quick, but packed with stops along the way. I began here as a Summer Intern in 2004, shortly after I graduated from Annenberg. While at Annenberg, I attended both October career fairs and applied for my first internship with the Daily Breeze newspaper in Torrance. I parlayed that one semester internship in the Business section into a full year internship. I also tried my hand at broadcast news, taking a one-semester internship at FOX11 News on the assignment desk. I also took a job at City News Service while in school. I began there as a cops reporter and was eventually promoted to a desk editor. A short time after my internship ended at the WSJ, a reporter left the paper and I was hired to replace her, and literally fell into the casino and hotel beat.
How did you get your first job?
The career fair sponsored by Annenberg truly is a key to getting the most out of the graduate experience and a great launch pad for jobs. It sounds like an advertisement, but it’s true! I spotted my first job opportunities at this job fair and then spent a great deal of time following up with letters, e-mails and phone calls to various editors.
How did your experience at Annenberg help?
Annenberg was my first real introduction to journalism after making a career change at 26. I learned the basics of the trade at the school and relied on the past experience of many of my professors who gave me great real-world perspectives.
What advice do you have for current Annenberg School students in your occupation?
Do as much as possible in the short two years afforded to you as a graduate student. Take the time to sample all aspects of journalism that interest you – try internships in print, broadcast and online if you can swing it with your schedule. And begin gathering clips early! Don’t wait until the middle of your second year to get real-life experience in journalism. Remember that once you’ve graduated, you’ll be competing for jobs with thousands of other aspiring journalists who have thick stacks of clips and past experience – level the playing field early.
In your opinion, what is the Annenberg Advantage?
The true Annenberg Advantage is the ability to leap directly into a great journalism job. It requires a lot of legwork on your part, but if you take full advantage of what’s offered at Annenberg, then you have the ability to skip a number of steps on the traditional journalism career ladder.