Week 13

This week in ISM, we went on a field trip to the University of North Texas. I also created an invitation for the Independent Study and Mentorship Winter Showcase, made a guest list, and typed two assessments.

The field trip to the University of North Texas was an incredible opportunity. I was able to talk with three journalism professors, learning about what it looks like to study journalism at the collegiate level. I observed introductory and advanced classes in Visual Communication and had one-on-one discussions with three different professors. The experience taught me that so much more goes into every little part of film making and reporting than meets the eye. Journalism students also gave me pieces of advice, including the facts that you should never take some one's word as truth, if you give up easily you should choose a different profession, and improvisation becomes your life.

I also completed two assessments this week. One was the interview assessment covering my time with Mr. Moffeit last week. The other one detailed my day at the University of North Texas.

I am now hoping to complete one or two more interviews, hopefully with a female investigative journalist. By the end of the semester I will have picked a mentor.

Week 12

This week in ISM, I had an incredible interview in downtown Dallas, continued contacting professionals, and reviewed plans for the University of North Texas Field Trip with the class.

My interview was with Mr. Miles Moffeit, an investigative journalist from The Dallas Morning News. Hearing his experiences and wisdom as a member of the investigative team was incredible. He has been involved in investigative journalism for twenty years and is now a senior investigative reporter and Pulitzer Finalist. He explained that work within the newspaper is different than that in the TV field because the projects are often more in depth and detailed. His current project, for instance, has already lasted for over a year. He concluded that TV stations cover more stories, but the ones covered by the newspapers are on a greater scale. We also discussed the fact that there are few women in the field of investigative journalism. He explained that this is because the field is incredibly competitive, and women often trail men in salary. He elaborated, however, that most newspapers truly believe in fighting for justice and equality through sharing news, and this belief leads them to treat women fairly. Our time together was incredible, as Mr. Moffeit had great advice and information.

In class we also discussed upcoming plans for the UNT field trip. I have contacted several professors regarding the trip, and now have a clearer idea of what to expect next Wednesday.

Week 11

This week in ISM was great. I was able to get caught up on assignments, specifically interview assessments. I also wrote thank you notes for my most recent interviews and contacted several new professionals. The ISM program is incredible in that it allows students to learn professional skills in every sense, including common courtesy.

This week I also contacted several professionals about possible interviews. I am now scheduled for an interview with a member of the project team at the Dallas Morning News next Tuesday. The project team handles the investigative work at the paper, so I am delighted to have this incredible experience.

I have also contacted professionals at FOX and WFAA, and I am hoping to gain interviews there as well. I have already had six interviews, however, and I am only required to have five. Since I have time though, I want to get as many as possible before deciding on a mentor.

Last year, interviews were one of my favorite parts of the program, because you are able to hear so many different perspectives on differnt areas of the field. That is why I am hoping to accomplish as many as possible this year within the field of investigative journalism.

Week 10

ISM just keeps getting better and better. This week, I interviewed two investigative journalists from WFAA 8 in downtown Dallas. I also gained valuable contacts for possible future interviews and completed interview assessments.

Having interviews at a TV station was a new and exciting experience. The journalism jobs there are similar to those at newspapers, but instead of finding information and making it interesting enough to read, the TV stations have to make it interesting enough to grab the attention of viewers, as well as keeping it incredibly concise due to the limited amount of time to air.

I was given the incredible opportunity to interview Jasan Trahan, a man who was an investigative journalist with The Dallas Morning News for several years and now works with Channel 8 News. He obviously loves his job and had great advice for the future,

I also interviewed Byron Harris, arguably the best investigative reporter in the nation. He has covered stories including the Russian mafia, tensions in the Congo, and Area 51. He has won six duPonts, the TV version of a Pulitzer Prize, and has been arrested for unwillingness to give up his camera. The difference he has made for this country, as well as for countries around the world, inspires me to continue down this incredible path.

Speaking with these two individuals helped me see that I may be more interested in the TV side of reporting that the newspapers, due to the high amounts of energy and action within the field.

Interview with Investigative Journalist Byron Harris from WFAA 8.