1. Where did you do your internship while in MRU Journalism?
Carstairs Courier/Rockyview Weekly and Calgary Sun
2. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have liked to give yourself as you started your internship?
I would say try to get different experiences between both internships. I used my first internship to try something different. Even though I didn't think I would end up at a weekly rural newspaper, the experience I gained there was very valuable. My second internship was more what I wanted to do and it helped launch me into my first job.
3. What is something that really stands out when you think about your time at MRU Journalism?
I liked the small class sizes and that you really got to know your professors, some of whom I have still stayed in touch with all of these years later.
4. How transferrable were the skills you acquired in your education?
Very transferrable. Everything we did in school (except for the darkroom in photography! lol) was something I've used at some point or another.
5. In your career, what type of work has most excited you, and why?
I am mostly passionate about storytelling in general; I love the written word! As a reporter though, as morbid as this sounds. nothing beats being at a fire or a murder case. I do prefer being "in the scene" rather than "behind the scenes" and loved running into the chaos instead of away from it.
6. What is the most important but unwritten rule that you’ve learned on the job?
I always challenge myself to write a better lede. Never start with "the" or a". That advice has carried me through most of my career but I'm sure it's written somewhere. So in that case, try to remember why you got into this line of work and make sure you still have that spark for the job.
7. Who has most inspired you along the way, and why?
I think Darren Krause has been a big role model for me and has always challenged me to be better - even when we got on each other's nerves! I'm glad we've remained friends since he was my editor all those years ago.
8. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience in MRU Journalism?
It was a positive experience and I feel very fortunate I was able to jump right into a journalism degree 16 years ago when I graduated and feel even more fortunate I'm still working in a career that I love so much!
