“A well-rounded liberal arts education is the best preparation for a career in journalism.”
Lives in: Austin, TX
Majors: Film and Television Studies and Political Science
What work looks like: “I investigate power in the second-largest U.S. state. Often, this involves exposing government corruption, waste, incompetence, and other failures by those in charge. I travel around Texas and follow the stories wherever they need chasing. Most recently, I spent 18 months investigating what went wrong during the Uvalde elementary school mass shooting. Our team’s work was awarded the Collier Prize and was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.”
What he loves about it: “Journalism is one of the very few professions where you get to meaningfully interact with people from all walks of life. I’ve interviewed homeless people, billionaires, criminals, victims, teachers, janitors, soldiers, activists, undecided voters in suburbia, professional athletes, farmers, small-town mayors, members of Congress, and everyone in between. You get such an appreciation for the richness and diversity of this country. Each story is an opportunity for adventure.”
What he gained from a liberal arts education: “A well-rounded liberal arts education is the best preparation for a career in journalism. Reporting demands that you learn a lot about a given subject quickly, plus you need to make a compelling case for why people should give interviews to you, especially vulnerable sources who may face consequences for doing so. There is no singular major or academic program that is ideal for aspiring journalists. Rather, the best preparation is a broad-based education focused on developing skills including critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem solving, creativity, research, and communication. I use all those skills every day as a reporter.”