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January 14, 2021
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Newsrooms mobilize on instinct when news breaks. Those split-second decisions — how we describe an individual or a group and their actions — can define reality for millions of people. The Capitol insurrection provides lessons for the upcoming Inauguration in what loaded language to avoid, questions to ask in real time, and how your values influence the way audiences understand and remember world events.

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute and Resolve Philly for a practical program that will leave you with tips you can use to ask the right questions in real time and prepare to cover the unexpected on Inauguration Day and in the weeks and months that follow.

Registration is now open for this program, which will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

The panel will feature: Eric Deggans, NPR TV critic, MSNBC/NBC commentator and author of “Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation”; Danielle K. Kilgo, the John & Elizabeth Bates Cowles Professor of Journalism, Diversity and Equality in the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Michael McCarter, managing editor for standards, ethics & inclusion at USA Today; Aubrey Nagle, Reframe editor at Resolve Philly. The program will be moderated by Cassie Haynes, co-executive director of Resolve Philly.
Understanding your personality is important as a manager, but it isn’t enough. To be an effective leader, you must move from self-awareness to self-management so that you regulate your behavior, use your social awareness, and develop strong interpersonal skills. Then, your personality will be an asset, not a liability. 

Advice from Jill Geisler, Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity, Loyola University Chicago, Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership

Click here to read Jill’s previous posts.
The next generation of journalists graduated in 2020 into a challenging job market unlike any other. We spotlighted them last summer, shared advice from their role models, and are checking in with them to see where they are now and what they’re learning about journalism. 

Where are you working right now? 


What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned on the job search?
Snell: I’m learning to manage a large volume of reporting as well as making sense of very complicated issues. School taught me techniques and I was able to develop them at a comfortable pace.

Now I am using them in hyperdrive and merging them with new techniques. I’m learning to process many things happening at once and connecting multiple dots that are always moving and sometimes disappearing. It’s a bit of a rush.
Wenz: The biggest two lessons I learned on the job search are persistence and patience. I (no joke) applied to more than 500 internships/jobs/part-time jobs around the world. I got rejected from every single one of them. I then learned about the power of LinkedIn and establishing personal connections. I started messaging every single news director I could find on the Internet. One man believed in me. He told me I needed to wait a few weeks until a position opens up and that he will not forget about me when the time comes.

Fast forward six months later, I left Los Angeles after five years and am now thriving in my new environment. It only takes one person and when the right time comes, others struggling like I did will be in the exact same boat. Keep going, don’t stop.

What’s been your best moment in journalism since graduation?
Gardner: The best moment I have had in journalism since graduation is watching my hard work and dedication pay off. I received three awards from my college newspaper (The Utah Statesman) for articles I wrote during my senior year.

I was also able to publish an article in the local newspaper just after graduation and I recently was an honorable mention for a national journalism award this year as well. 
Silmi: My best moment so far has been holding officials accountable for language accessibility needs during the election in Michigan. There were efforts statewide to make sure materials were translated and some state and local government work was delayed.




What do you wish you had learned as a student that you’re learning on the job?
Bjarnar: How to file taxes as an independent contractor… is that an acceptable answer? In all seriousness, though, I’d say work-life balance. In college, everything is compartmentalized as jobs and extracurriculars. Now, it’s different because you actually have to counsel yourself to make time for yourself. It’s built into your schedule in college, more or less. Sure, I’d find myself editing in an academic building at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday, but life would be interspersed throughout the day. With a full-time, on-demand job, it’s a bit harder to find that time unless you’re really looking out for yourself. If there was an elective on that concept, I would’ve been the first to sign up.
Demars: How to be a member of a community while also being a reporter. Learning about the basics of reporting and the High Ideals of Good and Ethical Journalism are certainly important — but journalism is so much different when you’re reporting on your neighbor’s small business or a road project planned for your street. Journalism school often taught me to think about journalism as a tool, like using journalism to hold power to account or expose scandal. But much more often, community journalism is an institution — it’s part of the machine that makes cities run, and makes sure citizens get to the right public meetings to contribute their voice, and shares stories that remind residents why they care about their communities.

What’s the NEW wackiest story you’ve ever worked on?
Kleifield: It's not THAT wacky, but a favorite story of mine I recently reported is about three high school friends who happened to celebrate their favorite team's miraculous "Hail Murray" in separate states, thousands of miles apart. You can check it out here.
Bjarnar: It relates entirely to focusing on my work, focusing on my writing and other projects, and enjoying the unexpected time I’ve gotten with family. They’re my strongest support system; my mother has been my favorite editor since day one.

Demars: I’ve finally gotten into reading for fun, not just for class. I’ve really enjoyed the chance to read some of the authors I heard so much about in college (looking at you, University of Oregon grad Ken Kesey), and it gives me a chance to escape, even if I’m stuck inside my apartment.

Gardner: Most days, I count it as a win for self-care if I am able to get even just a little bit more sleep than the night before and make sure there are meals on the table at the end of the day.

Kleifield: I'm taking care of myself right now by trying to stay active. I'm holding myself accountable to work out each day in order to boost my endorphins, in addition to eating a healthier diet.

Silmi: I journal a lot of personal reflections which keeps me sane, and just recently finished the novel, “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. 

Snell: Staying in touch with old classmates. Reading Marie Colvin’s dispatches for a refresher on exceptional reporting. Living with a dog that only wants to play while I’m conducting important phone interviews at 3 a.m.

Wenz: The world made it harder to find a job, therefore less motivating after graduation to feel accomplished. It took a lot of deep breaths and mental power to find ways each day to apply to new positions, stay healthy and not let the idea of being unemployed get in my way.
This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Holly Butcher Grant, and Julie Moos. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover.

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