What is your current job?
I’m a co-founder of The 51st, a new worker-led nonprofit newsroom covering D.C. I’m also a part-time web editor at Governing Magazine. And I do other freelance work occasionally!
What was your first byline?
The one I remember clearly is actually my first byline for my college paper, The Daily Bruin. I wrote a news story about a financial investing club some students had started, which maybe sounds a little boring, but I had so much fun on that assignment. I remember writing a kicker that really charmed the editor, and afterward the students reached out to me to say I’d really captured them and their club. It was a really specific, satisfying feeling. I got hooked and kept doing it and eventually became an editor at the paper.
What was your first real job in journalism?
I guess it depends on your definition of “real job,” but I always say my first real gig was as a fellow at CityLab, back when it was still owned by The Atlantic. I came on to help them launch a new Spanish-language vertical in partnership Univision, CityLab Latino (which sadly no longer exists). I reported stories in English and Spanish, translated articles, and did web production tasks. It was a great job and I’m still in touch with the people who hired and edited me there. That was definitely the door that opened other doors for me.
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How did you get it?
I applied for The Atlantic’s fellowship program completely blindly and with zero connections. Honestly, I think I got lucky — I was applying with Spanish language skills at a time they needed it, and the hiring manager for that job had gone to my college and written for the Bruin. I didn’t have a lot of internship experience and I’ve always thought she took a little bit of a chance on me.
What advice do you have for people looking to break into journalism?
Focus on getting good clips and building strong relationships with editors. If you’re having trouble landing a full-time gig (or don’t want one) you can still get good clips by being a dependable freelancer with the ability to turn clean copy. The Institute for Independent Journalists has great resources for people looking to break in as freelancers. I would also say it’s smart not to give the forecasts of doom and gloom a whole lot of energy. We all know the state of the industry, and we have to stay informed and realistic. But it won’t be useful to you or your work to stay stuck in that place. Also: don’t discount local news! Local reporting is so important, so impactful, and so much fun as a reporter.