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!