Week 5

What a fantastic week! I completed a research assessment, submitted my final resume, and conducted two interviews.

The first interview I conducted was with Ms. Leslie Thompson, a freelance journalist based in Lewisville. She explained to me the wide variety of jobs within the field of journalism, as well as the steps necessary to take in order to ensure success within the field. Hearing about her experiences and what made her decide to pursue the field was both fascinating and incredibly beneficial. She also gave me incredible advice as to what to do now and in the future to ensure success in journalism. It was exciting to hear about her passion for writing and how she never stops improving her skills.

My second interview was with Mr. Tod Robberson, an editorial writer for The Dallas Morning News. Little did I know, however, that he also spent many years in the investigative side of journalism, covering stories all over Central America and the Middle East. On top of this, he has been mentioned in several books, has worked for the Washington Post, and won the Pulitzer Prize. The feeling of walking into The Dallas Morning News headquarters in downtown Dallas was breath-taking, but the words shared with this incredible man were more than I could have hoped for. He told me stories of his past experiences across the seas that left me dying to know more and showed me newspaper articles he was especially proud of. I felt very much on the inside loop when he explained his current project that he has been working on for a year, and I was awed when he showed me his front-page article of the Dallas Morning News covering the capture of Saddam Hussein. Mr. Robberson gave me an idea of what the field of investigative journalism can look like, the costs and rewards within this field, as well as advice for a successful future as a journalist.

Interviewing professionals is truly amazing. What better way to get a feel for what I hope to do with my future? It has been truly remarkable to hear from people living out their dreams in the field I desire to enter into. 

Week 4

This week in ISM I wrote my first research assessment, submitted a rough draft of my resume and began contacting professionals in the field of journalism to ask about interviews.

My assessment this week covered the debate over the definition of investigative journalism. Some professionals believe that investigative journalism refers to any type of journalism that is used to uncover obscure facts, including celebrity news all the way up to current events in oppressive countries. Others believe that investigative journalism requires a specific and thorough process and must serve a noble purpose. I do not know where I stand on the issue at this point, but I am looking forward to asking the professionals that I interview about their opinions on the matter.

Making a resume this week was also interesting, as I have learned that it is important to focus on what professionals will find most impressive about my academic and extracurricular activities. Having already completed a resume for ISM last year, as well as several for college applications, it was not hard to make one that would fit for my journey in ISM this year.

I also sent out seventeen requests for interviews from professionals in the field. This includes Dallas Morning News editorial writers and staff, freelance journalists, and reporters and journalists from Fox 4 and WFAA 8. I have corresponded with two of these professionals and have officially set up two interviews for the coming weeks. I can hardly wait for other professionals to reply!

Having typed a research paper, created a resume, contacted seventeen professionals and set up two interviews, I am happy to say that this was an extremely productive and exciting week in ISM.

Week 3

This week in the Independent Study and Mentorship Program, I created a primary contact list for my year in ISM. The point of the contact list is to create a list of professionals to call, email and meet up with who have experience in the field. The interviews conducted are a fantastic way to gather information regarding the field of interest.

I quickly discovered, however, that finding contact information is not as easy as it would seem. While finding the names of individuals was fairly simple, it took much more digging to find actual phone numbers and email addresses. I was able to find contacts from several newspapers, including the Dallas Morning News, as well as professors from the University of North Texas who specialize in the field of investigative journalism. I am pleased with the results I was able to compile, and I am looking forward to reaching out to these professionals to see if they are willing to explain their experiences in the field of investigative journalism.

We also spent time during the class period discussing expectations outlined in the ISM contract. As I am now a second-year ISM student, I am familiar with most policies and ideas, but it was still incredibly beneficial to be reminded of the procedures put in place to ensure the success of the Independent Study and Mentorship Program.

I am looking forward to diving into research and networking next week and in the weeks to come!

Weeks 1 & 2

The first two weeks of school and in ISM have been crazy!

So far, we have learned the ropes of the course for the year, learned how to set up our weekly blogs, started using the FISD Student Learning Hub, where we can see and submit all of our assignments, learned about what does and does not constitute professional dress, given introduction speeches and begun on our individual assignments.

So far, I have submitted my mission statement and quote for the course, 15 generic interview questions to build off of in my interviews, and my career outlook assessment.

My mission statement, which outlines my desires and goals for this year in ISM is:
Through the course of the Independent Study and Mentorship Program, I desire to investigate and obtain a deeper understanding of the field of investigative journalism. In this process, I am motivated to become more proficient in research and writing, and I desire to make a contribution to society through a research article that brings corruption to light.

My quote for the year is, "Greater love has none than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15 :13.

I am very excited to see what this year has in store and what I can accomplish!

Guatemalan Revelation

Breathing in the crisp air, I stared out into the mountains surrounding me. Wind whipped through my hair as I stood confidently in a small, wobbly tree, clutching its branches to keep me from plummeting downwards hundreds of feet. I was at the top of a mountain in Guatemala, leaning out of a tree protruding away from the face of the rock, staring out towards the mountains in the distance and wondering what was out there for me. My mission team was resting in the plain, one-room church behind me, eating a simple dinner of ramen and tortillas, but I was too in love with the land and the people to be trapped inside. The land of Guatemala revealed to me my desire to live a life of service, adventure, and protection.

My team, a group of twelve high school students and two adults from the Dallas area, had spent the morning hiking up a rocky, treacherous mountain trail until we reached a tiny Guatemalan village at the top. The poor, rural conditions we encountered shocked and humbled us. With no source of clean water in the village, many inhabitants were sickly and disease-ridden. Gnats swarmed around the eyes and open cuts of children who had long ago learned the uselessness of swatting at the ever present pests and now let their arms hang idly at their sides. What shocked us most, however,was the joy of the people. It hurt to observe their joy despite their horrifying living conditions, recognizing the fact that I have so much more than them and am selfish and ungrateful in comparison. We spent the day painting the village's concrete church as children, and even some adults, peered at us from behind trees and through windows, giggling with glee whenever we looked their way. By evening, having shared a day of experiences, we were able to open up to the people of the village by telling our life stories, hearing theirs and worshiping God as a family. It was during that evening that I realized that protecting others and fighting injustice was what I planned to do for the rest of my life.

 Deepak Chopra stated that, "Passivity is the same as defending injustice." The reason I go on mission trips, the reason I desire to study investigative journalism, the reason I desire to live at all, is to make a difference in the life of others by fighting against injustice and bringing about change. By living any other way, I would be allowing injustice to fester and grow. I have experienced firsthand the painful existence of those in countries less fortunate than our own, and my desire is to play a part in protecting the United States from ever becoming like those countries, and to find a way to help those countries become whole again. I desire to study investigative journalism to begin preparation for a life dedicated to service, justice and change.