The Newseum tops his list

My favorite part of orientation is the Newseum. This is a great place for any excursion, especially if you are a news addict. The Newseum is awesome because its state-of-the-art facilities blend new media with old-time reporting. This museum, the newest in Washington, D.C., has so many interesting things, from displays of Pulitzer Prize-winning photography to a memorable and deeply moving 9/11 exhibit.

The Newseum's 9/11 gallery. (Photo by Sue Stock Serna, Summer 2000).

A model for success

Eddy Ramirez, national education reporter at U.S. News & World Report, gave an inspiring speech. He was a Chips Quinn Scholar in 2001 and now is working for one of the big three news magazines in the country. He mentioned his upbringing and struggle to get ahead, as well as how being a Chipster helped him personally and professionally. Making photographs for a news magazine is a dream of mine and he had me thinking that if he can do it, why can’t I?

Alum Eddy Ramirez. (Photo by Sam Kittner)

Connecting with future, current industry leaders

I hope to get a great deal out of orientation. The most important thing is to meet and make connections with the future leaders of the journalism industry. After that, I want to get some face time with the current leaders of the industry and have an honest and thought-provoking conversation on where journalism is going. I want orientation to guide and prepare me for my summer internship with insight on what is expected of me and ways to maximize the experience.