Journalism Alumni return to USF

“Get an internship!” was the most common advice offered by the panel of USF alumni Journalists during the first ever Journalism Panel Discussion. This event allowed USF students interested in Journalism to get a hint of reality and helpful advice from a panel of successful Journalists.

The eight panelists, Tannie Soo Hoo, Vicky Nguyen, Jennifer Jolly, Tiffany Maleshefski, Kent German, Jessica Dryden Cook, Myra Sandoval, and Toan Lam gathered in Fromm Hall Tuesday, October 16, 2007 to discuss their experience with journalism, their careers, give some advice, and answer audience questions. Following the panel discussion it was fair game for the young, eager journalists in the audience to get their questions answered.

During an interview with Vicky Nguyen, a general assignment reporter for NBC 11, Nguyen said that internships are a great way to build credibility and learn, urging that anyone remotely interested in journalism get as many internships as possible. Moments later the lights went out and the room went dark. Un-phased, Nguyen continued to answer the question at hand. As the dark room cleared, Nguyen got real. Her answers turned from facts to advice, her tone became less assertive, and instead of standing she sat on the panel table. According to Nguyen, a journalist must be prepared for anything and often times that may take them out of their comfort zone. She also said that being shy won’t get you anywhere, and aspiring journalists must be assertive.

Nguyen started her career right out of college in Orlando Florida where she shot, wrote, and edited her stories. On the topic of convergence, Nguyen said that it is important to have some knowledge of skills other than the skill a journalist specializes in because they become more useful and beneficial to their employer. She said that her job gives her “instant gratification,” and provides amazing experiences that makes her love what she does. When asked how she handles sensitive cases and stories that involve the emotions of others Nguyen said “There’s a lot of pressure, but you have to be in job mode. You have to get there, be professional, but be human and respectful at the same time. Like, I’m the kind of person who cries when other people cry, but I can’t do that on the job.”

“Don’t be afraid,” said Nguyen when offering advice. She works 50 hours weeks, makes low six figures, and loves every minute of her job. “It is what you make of it,” she said during the panel discussion.

Another member of the panel who graduated from USF with Nguyen is Toan Lam. Lam, who now works at KRON, stressed the importance of internships. During his college education at USF, Lam had five internships. “Dress professionally at internships and act like you belong because you never know when you could be on camera,” said Lam. His advice mainly stressed the importance that young journalists get as much experience as possible and “get an internship!” “Are you willing to be broke? Are you willing to move to Timbuktu? Because if you want it, you’ll get it,” said Lam. His advice came from his personal and professional experience with journalism and his career.

Every member of the panel had valuable advice to offer, but it seemed as though almost everyone came to an agreement that internships are the most crucial part of getting started in the field of journalism.