My First Byline: Stephen Fowler
Political reporter, NPR
What is your current job?
I'm currently a political reporter for NPR on its Washington Desk, based in Atlanta instead of Washington, D.C., which is fantastic for many reasons! I'm covering a little bit of everything this 2024 campaign cycle with a focus on the South and its battleground states of Georgia and North Carolina.
What was your first byline?
My first byline was for The Emory Wheel, Emory University's student newspaper. My sophomore year, a friend from my freshman dorm who was the news editor said he desperately needed writers for the section and knew it was something I enjoyed, so I said yes. The first story I was assigned was about this anthropology study that an Emory professor did about fatherhood and how involved men are in parenting, based on the size of certain... anatomy. I'm 99% sure it was assigned as a prank but nevertheless it kicked off my interest in reporting.
My first professional byline was a profile of the DeKalb County Sheriff's race that I did as an assignment for a magazine writing class at Emory taught by the amazing Rebecca Burns. It was for Creative Loafing Atlanta, the onetime cool alt-weekly that's now been gutted from its former glory. That assignment was an early dip into the wacky pool of politics, and I'll never forget the feeling of the first time seeing my byline on something that real people paid actual money to read.
What was your first real job in journalism?
After graduating from Emory, I got a job at Georgia Public Broadcasting, the statewide NPR affiliate, as the afternoon producer/back-up host for the local version of “All Things Considered.”
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How did you get it?
I told them I had the face for radio! But actually, I met my future boss/the host Rickey Bevington the spring of my senior year through TEDxEmory, where I was a student speaker and she was the emcee. We stayed in touch, and when her producer job was posted I reached out to express interest. I had no radio experience but offered an insatiable curiosity for journalism and a slew of big stories under my belt from my time at Emory (thanks Ebola, Milo Yiannopoulos, Jimmy Carter and other things for making my newspaper experience never boring!), and it was enough to get an interview. From there, the rest is history.
What advice do you have for people looking to break into journalism?
"Networking" sounds boring and overrated and obvious, but it makes a huge difference. I don't mean "add everyone at every company you want to work for on LinkedIn and favorite everything they post online" networking, but a sincere DM or an email asking someone for a phone call or advice or feedback is a good first step to learning more and making genuine helpful connections.
Also, as many mentors have reminded me, anyone can be taught to do specific steps of journalism (like how to edit audio, use AP style in writing, speak into a camera, etc.) but it's much harder to teach the drive/passion/curiosity that makes a great journalist. Highlighting and exploring those traits (while also learning the skills for the medium you want) are more valuable to showcase and understand to break into the industry.
Also also – I don't have a degree in journalism (Emory cut the program before I could take enough classes) and I did not go to a graduate program for journalism, either. You don't need to do that to be successful, no matter what the internet or admissions guides say!