When I first applied to NAJA x Next Gen Radio III, I didn’t even complete my application – not because I didn’t want to be a part of the program, but I doubted whether I could actually develop a multi-element story of quality in such a short amount of time. As a grad student, intern at Syracuse.com and freelance writer, I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to balance this week. But despite my uncertainty, Doug Mitchell and Jon Glass reached out to me to ask me to consider being a part of the project. Since reporting on indigenous communities is one of the many things I want to do post-graduation, I knew that this would be a great entry point.
It’s been a busy week, working from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Newhouse, attending classes in between and catching up with work in the evening – but it’s all been worth it. My mentor, Carrie Jung, stayed with me from beginning to end, patiently answering all of my questions and teaching me the ropes of audio reporting.
From recording an interview with Hickory Edwards on scene at Onondaga Lake, climbing rocks for a mini photography lesson from Todd Michalek and learning how to mix audio from Abby Fritz, it’s been a whole experience. I barely knew the basics of how to record with actual audio gear and photography, but now I feel more confident in myself and my abilities as a journalist. Not only do I feel like I’ve become a more versatile reporter, but also a more effective communicator.
Walking into our conference room in Newhouse each morning became my favorite part of the day. Everyone’s encouraging words, laughs shared from random conversations, discussion on how to overcome hurdles – being a part of this team for the NAJA x Gen Radio III is something that I’m going to remember as I move onwards in my professional career as a journalist. I know that the skills I learned this week will carry through in my future stories.
