Tania Valdemoro

Job Title: Staff Writer, The Miami Herald
USC Course of study: M.A., Print Journalism

Describe your current occupation:
I’m working for The Miami Herald, one of Florida’s largest regional papers, as a reporter for the Neighbors section. I cover at least half a dozen different neighborhoods in the city of Miami and report how the city’s growth and development (the rise of the condos along the waterfront, the influx of artists into new neighborhoods, the runaway housing prices) are changing the lives of long-time residents.

How did you get there?
The Herald recruited me. I did not expect to change jobs this quickly.

How did you get your first job?
I worked my butt off at my summer internship at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and tried to write as many different stories as possible so I could show editors I had range and versatility. Then, I spent my week at UNITY shaking as many hands and asking people as many questions as I could at the job fair. A few weeks later, I followed up with the Palm Beach Post editors, who invited me for a day of interviews. And every few weeks, I sent them new clips. When a new position opened up in the fall, they called me in for another round of interviews. Then, I convinced them to hire me.
 
How did your experience at Annenberg help?
Annenberg taught me the basics, but what really helped were the internships I had during school. They gave me practice in reporting and writing and taught me a lot about covering political campaigns. In terms of convergence, I’ve been able to do more radio work with the Post’s radio partners because of my broadcast experience.
 
What advice do you have for current Annenberg School students in your occupation?
Find a way to report and write almost every day for a news outlet. You get better at the craft the more you do it. Find the veteran reporters and editors whose work you like, and try to work with them, ask them for advice and feedback on your work.

Also, leave Los Angeles. This is no place to have your first job where you can learn, grow, make mistakes and get better. You can always come back to Los Angeles later in your career, when you have more experience and news outlets will offer you better jobs.
 
In your opinion, what is the Annenberg Advantage?
There is enough time and space at school to learn how the industry works, especially if you have no prior experience in journalism. The faculty is helpful and responsive in and out of the classroom.