My First Byline: Dani Anguiano
Breaking news reporter, The Guardian U.S.
What is your current job?
I am a breaking news reporter for the West Coast bureau of the Guardian US where I've covered everything under the sun, including far-right politics in far Northern California, the trial of Alec Baldwin, and wildfires in California and Hawaii. Since 2018 much of my work has focused on wildfires and their aftermath, and in 2020 I co-authored the book Fire in Paradise: An American Tragedy. I frequently report on the national and international implications of issues in Northern California where I live.
What was your first byline?
My first byline that I remember was a story about the potential closure of Bidwell Mansion State Park for California State University, Chico's student newspaper, the Orion. It was an issue of great concern to the community and one of the first times I was able to experience firsthand how important local journalism is. (Little did I know that almost 14 years later I would write about the arson attack that destroyed the mansion, and the site's complicated legacy).
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What was your first real job in journalism?
After I finished graduate school, I got my first paid job in journalism at the Chico Enterprise-Record, a local daily newspaper in Northern California. I was hired to work as an education reporter, covering school board meetings, education policy and the local university. With the diminishing resources available in local news, my role eventually expanded to include city politics and homelessness. It was a small but mighty newsroom that was later a Pulitzer prize finalist for its coverage of the 2018 Camp Fire.
How did you get it?
I learned about the position through a funny turn of events very fitting for local news in a small city. My aunt was in line for a drink at the wedding of a dear friend when she started chatting with the person in front of her, who happened to be the editor of the local newspaper, a veteran journalist named David Little. During their conversation she mentioned she had a niece who had just finished J-school, and David said I should give him a call if I was interested in a job. A few days later I did and soon after I was hired. I remain very grateful to my aunt and her social butterfly nature.
What advice do you have for people looking to break into journalism?
It's no secret this can be a tough industry, so I always encourage aspiring journalists to cast a wide net both in terms of where they apply and the positions they apply for. The old school advice of getting your foot in the door remains true. After spending a few years reporting in a local newsroom, I applied for dozens and dozens of jobs before I accepted a contract role at the Guardian as a copy editor. It was a different position than I initially was looking for but it ended up being an incredible opportunity that helped me grow as a journalist and led me to my current job.
And read as much as possible - about everything from news to art to fiction. (I highly recommend subscribing to an actual paper newspaper. It's a good way to read about things you might not otherwise see) Feeding your curiosity in the world makes you a better journalist.
Find Dani on LinkedIn.