Current position: Senior writer, Sports Illustrated
Changes in the industry since graduation? The print industry has changed drastically since I graduated in 1999. The entire media world has been overhauled by online journalism, smart phones and social media. At the same time, the same tenets of good journalism haven't changed. Relentless reporting, clear writing and a keen story sense transcend all changes in media and platforms.
Most important skills used today? The basic skills are still the most important ones, whether I'm tweeting or writing a 3,000 word magazine article. Knowing how to thoroughly report a story, self-edit it and mold it into the best version. It still all comes down to basics—the extra phone calls, double checking and trusting sources like Lexis Nexis over Google. Always keep digging.
Favorite memories of Newhouse? My favorite memories of Newhouse were the relationships that I built with my professors. They always pushed me to write better, edit more gracefully and show a value and respect for each and every written word. I carry with me today. The writing professors in Newhouse spanned such diverse career paths—from major magazine editors to White House Correspondents. I truly enjoyed picking their brains and learning from their experiences.
Advice for current students? The best advice I can give current students is that everything you possibly need for a career is available to you at Syracuse. The same knuckleheads in my Newhouse classes that I bellied up to the bar with at Faegan's are ESPN broadcasts, public relations executives and some of the country's most distinguished print journalists. It’s easy to get intimidated by the economy, landing your first job and all the unknowns of post-college life. There are resources available to you—print mediums like The Daily Orange, television and radio outlets—to gain the basic skill sets you need to thrive in post-college life. Take advantage of these resources now, as they will expedite your career path exponentially.
