How I got into American University.
Being vulnerable is a new process for me but this was arguably the hardest piece of work I have ever had to write. After many drafts, writer's block for hours and a headache, I ended up with this.
Expressing my thoughts and emotions through words on a piece of paper was just an extra curricular activity I enjoyed in high school. In a very short time, I realized I was very passionate about telling other people’s stories. Working for the school newspaper as a freshman helped me develop skills that I continue to use today. I was able to build my confidence, sharpen my writing skills, and enhance my ability to communicate well with other. What I loved most was interviewing students and faculty, working with my peers to meet deadlines, and especially seeing my work published for the first time. When my work was completed in the newspaper program, I joined the yearbook club where I started out as secretary and then transitioned to editor-in-chief for two years. This was my first significant role in a leadership position, and it was completely hands on. I was in charge of creating the layout, assigning stories, and managing the schedule with the printing company. By the time I enrolled at Michigan State University (MSU), I was so well versed in various styles of storytelling, that I decided to double major in journalism and film. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media & Information. Each of these milestones taught me to be a better storyteller, but also led me closer to my ultimate goal of becoming an investigative journalist.
During the spring of 2015, one of my favorite professors, Bonnie Bucqueroux, suggested I listen to the Serial podcast produced by This American Life journalist, Sarah Koenig, and I was instantly motivated by this project. I constantly discussed it with my friends and family in addition to doing my own research on her stories. As the final episode played throughout my studio apartment one Saturday night, it dawned on me that I could be the next Sarah Koenig. I felt a strong sense of purpose and relief, because I finally found my niche. However, as the euphoria faded, the real life obstacles of pursuing investigative journalism sunk in. My University did not offer any resources to those interested in pursuing this type of journalism. Instead of becoming discouraged, I decided to study the two women who inspired me, Bucqueroux and Koenig, using their careers as my guide.
While I didn't lose sight of my dreams, the busyness of everyday life side-tracked me from my initial dream. On Tuesday, October 13, 2015, I received the worst news and somewhat of a wakeup call. Bonnie Bucqueroux passed away, it shocked me to my core. I knew she was very sick but Bonnie’s fighter spirit blinded me to her morality. She was my first and last journalism professor at MSU. I learned so much under her guidance. While I was extremely saddened by her passing, it reminded me that putting my dreams on the backburner was almost a disservice to her and the impact she had on my life. After finishing the podcast, I began researching opportunities to pursue investigative journalism, which is how I discovered the Investigative Reporting program at American University.
I’ve always had an interest in crimes, mysteries, and cold cases. I took a few criminal justice classes at MSU and I enjoyed the content I was learning. Between the Serial podcast, reading crime novels and being inspired by professor Bonnie, I started to inch closer and closer to making my dreams into a reality. I envision using my degree to dig deeper than the surface level by telling the stories of unsolved crimes through avenues such as podcasts, documentaries and long- form journalism. I often read the news about current events and find myself wanting to know more about the people and the “why” rather than just the “what.” After hearing Adnan Syed’s story in Serial, I wasn’t convinced he committed the crime anymore, because I was more focused on learning about his background. I figured, if I can learn more about his personal experiences, maybe I could determine what he’s capable of.
My experiences in editorial reporting and film production at MSU will ultimately give me a leg up in multimedia storytelling. During the summer of 2015, I had an internship with the “Lansing City Pulse” where I was afforded the opportunity to report and photograph arts and culture events in the surrounding Lansing areas. This was my first experience in the professional world and I learned most about my writing capabilities and how to reel my readers in with a strong headline. Following my internship, I spent a month and a half, on a study abroad in India, where I co- wrote and assistant directed a short film. My colleagues and I produced this film in five days and then presented it to The Ramoji Film City executive board. This experience taught me about the levels of professionalism in the film industry and how to work quickly and efficiently under pressure. Through this master’s program, I hope to gain better knowledge of how to execute an investigation and the correct form of journalism to tell an investigative story. I was able to see the Investigative Reporting Lab and that’s the exact type of environment I would love to work in to learn these skills.
The Master of Arts in Journalism and Public Affairs with an Investigative Reporting Specialty will help me become a better journalist. If given the opportunity to participate, I am sure that my skillset in this environment will be a benefit to the program as well. I am a young, determined, driven journalist with high aspirations. As mentioned previously, writing is not a profession to me it is a passion. The fear of failure does not cripple me; in fact, it pushes me to continue. It is my aim to create the kind of journalism that engages my audience in ways that make them feel as if they are also experiencing the stories I report. I am committed to learning, improving and excelling as a participant in this program, because in my academic and professional trajectory, I have no other choice but to achieve excellence.
xoxo,
Mich.