Education & Learning:

• Bachelor of Communications (journalism) with a minor in creative writing, economics or science

• Certificate in video production from local college

• Completed a course from the University of New South Wales on Transmedia storytelling via Coursera.

• Investigative reporting is evolving rapidly, but my favourite book remains the classic All the President’s Men and Spotlight is one of my favourite films

• Gerard Ryle’s Ted Talk on the Panama Papers and investigative journalism is inspiring

 

"Being a news reporter today is challenging. I am highly motivated by bringing news and facts to my readership so they can make informed decisions in their lives. I hold authorities to account for their decisions. To maintain a competitive advantage, I ensure I am agile and can work across media platforms. I developed a formal educational plan to deliver on this. Today, I focus on informal learning to ensure I understand current events and emerging trends and how they may impact my profession. Learning is core to my job every day."

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Employment Experiences:

• Joined school newspaper in first week at university. Wrote 12 articles in my first year and shot and edited video for half of them.

• Did an internship at local community newspaper. Hired for two summers while in school.

• Hired as a digital media specialist with local TV station. Promoted to on-air news reporter.

• I am a passionate photographer and generate $200 per month in iStockphoto revenue

 

"In journalism, networks create opportunities. I knew this on day one at university and wanted to ensure I used my time, both inside and outside the classroom, as an opportunity to gain experience and build my reputation as a reporter."

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Community Experiences:

• Editor of school newspaper while in university. Remain an alumni mentor.

• Active member of the Canadian Association of Journalists

 

"I am passionate about investigative journalism and I am an exceptional communicator. I leveraged these two assets to volunteer with a capital fundraising campaign for a community health foundation. I made a difference and I learned so much. This made me a better professional."

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Contextual Experiences:

• I did a semester in France in university to refine my French. I have travelled to 17 countries in 10 years. Travelling is an education.

• This profession is highly competitive and requires mobility to progress. I have lived in four cities in 10 years. It is a lifestyle you need to embrace.

 

"Exposure to diverse cultures reinforced my humility because it showed me the world is big and what I actually know is so small."

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Relationships:

• To succeed as a reporter you need to have a reputation and respect amongst your sources. I invest in building social capital every day. I built an active mentoring team when I was in university.

• My spouse is my best friend. They are my greatest support and champion and have been flexible as my career progresses.

 

"I know success as a reporter is about building strong relationships and networks. I do this by recognizing all relationships must be win-win. Being a reporter can involve long hours (early mornings, late nights and weekends), so I need to have strong personal relationships."