The Jandoli Institute hosted a live Twitter Chat on Feb. 21 for aspiring and young journalists. Below are responses to a question from Richard Lee, the institute’s executuve director.

Truth—couldn’t pass biology in my psychology major. 😂
Parents were like—you never shut up go be a reporter.
LONG story short—I met Paul Wieland, a broadcast prof at bonas who taught me the ropes & I fell in love. I’m a journalist bc our words have meaning & can change the world

— Katie Tercek (@KTercek14News) February 21, 2020

Journalism combined my strengths for research and writing with my need to affect change, “do good” and try new things. I can elevate ignored voices, such as women, black people or the LGBTQ+ community, and hold the powerful accountable. And every day is something new #JandoliChat https://t.co/8I7WmOoACd

— Whitney Downard (@WhitneyDownard) February 21, 2020

In my teens, I edited the high school newspaper. And I was terrible at math. So #journalism was a strong option. Then came Watergate, Woodward & Bernstein, and #AllThePresidentsMen. I was hooked. #JandoliChat https://t.co/wyCpC08q3i

— David K. (@redleader57) February 21, 2020

A1: I fell into journalism because I liked sports and I liked writing. I was originally a sports reporter at my college newspaper, but realized I enjoyed writing about the athletic department’s budget more than I did the games. #JandoliChat. https://t.co/eLnOBrKCRl

— Tom Dinki (@tomdinki) February 21, 2020

A1 from @richleeonline: I chose journalism because I like to write. In my experience as a professor, a love of writing is what draws many students to the major. #JandoliChat

— Jandoli Institute (@Jandoli_Inst) February 21, 2020

On Q1, two of you mentioned specific profs. How important are mentors? #JandoliChat

— Jandoli Institute (@Jandoli_Inst) February 21, 2020

SO important. I have at least 4 or 5. Some are paper, some are broadcast. Some are old, some are young— I like having a variety of opinions. They also keep you sane

— Katie Tercek (@KTercek14News) February 21, 2020

Would not be doing what I’m doing today without people like @UBSpectrum advisor Jody Biehl and @roseciottaca, who kept me sane and on track during an 8-month investigative project. #JandoliChat https://t.co/cQCX6WmXIe

— Tom Dinki (@tomdinki) February 21, 2020

Oddly, I don’t recall a professor serving as a #mentor. I admired and learned from Jandoli, Evans, etc., 2 B sure. In a professional newsroom, having a news editor’s demands for details, or colleague’s guidance, is invaluable. #JandoliChat https://t.co/YAlPxHawoQ

— David K. (@redleader57) February 21, 2020

I count every Bona’s professor and my editors as mentors. Without their patience, support and encouragement I wouldn’t be here. An especially big thanks to my first editor @DA_Bohrer, a fellow Bonnie. https://t.co/AuWq0qVxcn

— Whitney Downard (@WhitneyDownard) February 21, 2020

All questions:

Why did you choose journalism?
Why not PR, advertising or marketing? 
Did you consider journalism grad school? 
Is journalism dead?
How do you stay positive?
What happens when your job takes you to another state?
Aside from classes, what did you do during college to learn journalism?
How did you adjust from college to the workforce? 
What’s the most fun you’ve had as a journalist?

Categories: Jandoli Institute, Media