about me.
I am a senior journalism and political science major at the University of Oregon.
Whenever I tell someone I have decided to be a journalist, the reaction is the same: Why go into a dying industry?
But, storytelling is not dead. For stories, I’ve talked with the former bank robber, a mother who lost her 9-year-old son to cancer, a university student who was raped, the University of Oregon president and an Oregon congressman. Without journalism, how could people hear these voices? Voices of the powerful to the homeless. Journalism remains a service to the public. Stories empower, fuel conversation and inspire hope.
One year after her son died of cancer, I asked the mother to detail the last moments of her son’s life. The boy asked if he would die. She told him no. She showed me her son’s clothes still hanging in his closet, his urn in the living room and told me about her evolving emotions.
She told me her story. So, I told others.
The journalism industry is going through a transition, but its role remains the same. Journalism teaches people about life. The bank robber listened to Debussy played on classical guitar while working at his new job; the child who died of cancer listened to The Black Eyed Peas after chemotherapy. After telling these stories, I’ve learned that people from all backgrounds and all places in life share common experiences.
work experience
March 2013 to June 2013 News reporting intern, The Register-Guard
Eugene, Ore.
Sept. 2012 to present Online managing editor, Emerald Media Group
Eugene, Ore.
Supervise more than 20 reporters, videographers, photographers and copy editors.
Help the news and sports desks develop story ideas and encourage greater social media use.
June 2012 to Aug. 2012 General assignment reporting intern, Mail Tribune
Medford, Ore.
Wrote news stories, features, profiles and breaking news for the daily newspaper.
March 2012 to June 2012 News editor, Oregon Daily Emerald
Eugene, Ore.
Edited stories for content, grammar and clarity.
Helped eight reporters generate story ideas and work their beats.
Oct. 2011 to March 2012 Business, health and science /general assignment reporter, Oregon Daily Emerald
Eugene, Ore.
Covered topics in business, health and science relevant to students at the University of Oregon.
May 2011 to Aug. 2011 General assignment reporting intern, Hillsdale News
Portland, Ore.
Wrote community news stories and profiles for the twice-monthly online newspaper.
June 2008 to Sept. 2011 Piano instructor, Ethos Music Center
Portland, Ore.
Taught private and group piano classes to children.
education
Sept. 2011 to present University of Oregon
Eugene, Ore.
School of Journalism and Communication, with a focus in news writing and reporting.
Double major in political science.
GPA: 4.01
Sept. 2009 to July 2011 Portland Community College
Portland, Ore.
GPA: 4.0
June 2009 Wilson High School
Portland, Ore.
awards
June 2012 Received Civic and Watchdog Journalism scholarship from the University of Oregon School of Journalism
and Communication.
June 2012 Gained membership in Kappa Tau Alpha, a national honor society in journalism and mass communication.
Received top scholar award from Kappa Tau Alpha for highest undergraduate student ranking.
additional skills
Experience shooting and editing video using Final Cut Pro. Experience using Storify.