montanajournalism Alumni Spotlight, J-School

J-School Alumni Tips: Mederios Babb

Mederios Babb is a news reporter at the CBS affiliate, KSEE/CBS47, in Fresno, California. Mederios grew up in Butte, America and graduated from the University of Montana in December of 2017. While at UM, she received the Northwest Regional College Student Award of Excellence in 2016 and the Dean’s Award.

Prior to making a major market jump to Fresno, Mederios covered breaking news, city and county government and national news events for KBZK, the CBS station in Bozeman.

Mederios has some great advice and insight from her days at the J-School to help guide students as they map out their journalism future.

Mederios Babb

At the J-School: August 2014 – December 2017

Areas of focus: broadcast journalism, investigative journalism, minor in business administration, producer of documentary unit, “Montana RX: Unintended Consequences.”

How did a J-School education affect your career path?

Mederios Babb, anchoring the evening news at KBZK, Bozeman

It definitely affected my career path by getting me a job right out of college. My last semester of college, I already had two offers on the table from Montana TV stations: KPAX in Missoula and KBZK in Bozeman. I ended up turning the offers down because I really wanted a position in Spokane that I ended up not getting. My first real job rejection took me by surprise, but it was one of the best things that ever happened to me because it made me stronger. KBZK reached back out to me in February and after a lot of thought, I made the decision to work for KBZK/KXLF. I spent a little over a year covering a little bit of everything, but mainly focusing on city and county government. It was my experience there that allowed me to grow immensely and now I am now at my second market in Fresno, California., which is a huge jump.  

What are you doing now and how did your journalism education prepare you?

I am currently a news reporter for KSEE24 and CBS47 in Fresno, California. I started in May 2019 and can already tell that I made the right move by how much I am improving. I am one of the youngest people in the newsroom, meaning I need to work extra hard for people to take me seriously and show that I do have what it takes. My education prepared me by giving me a strong foundation. The business has changed a lot over the years and now reporters are expected to know how to do it all. What I mean by that is everyone coming out of college need to know how to be an MMJ (multimedia journalist) and that includes knowing how to use the camera (iris, shutter speed, white balance, focus, exposure), shoot video, edit, write, audio track, and post digitally. It is a lot of work but that is the way the business has shifted. The University of Montana really helped me by teaching me how to shoot video well and efficiently putting me ahead of many others. Yes, it is great to be great at one skill, but it is even better to be good at many skills. It makes you more diverse and valuable to future employers.  

What do you wish you knew when you first started at UM? 

Take advantage of having weekends off. Don’t rush your education but also don’t take your degree lightly. Participate in as many activities, hobbies, events as possible. Work on creating an image and audience through social media. Learn how to use Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Snapchat to your advantage. It will help you and your station in the long run.  

What advice do you have for students considering pursuing a degree at the J-School?

I would say to make sure that you are willing to put in the hard work and are serious about pursuing a career in the field. I know so many people who have not stayed in the business because they were not cut out for it. You must be a hard worker with a lot of dedication to put in the work. If you are passionate about telling people’s stories, then it will be worth it, if not you are wasting your time.  

What tips do you have for incoming students at UM?

I have always lived by the saying “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” and each day I remind myself that as long as I am working hard and improving, I will be OK. This business is not easy, and if you are looking for a 9-5 job Monday-Friday, this is not the right profession for you. However, if you love to get out and explore, tell stories, and see raw emotions, this is the right fit. You will be able to do things many don’t get to experience like reporting on a presidential visit, flying in a six-person plane, operating an excavator, and so much more. If you work hard and go to work willing to learn each day, you will be great. One last tip that I wish someone would have told me: it is OK to make mistakes as long as you learn from them and don’t let them define you. You will mess up, that is OK. You will make mistakes, that is OK. However, how you react to those mistakes and making sure not to make those mistakes again will set you apart from the rest. 

Beyond your journalism education, what were some of your favorite experiences in the community of Missoula?

I loved First Fridays and being from Butte it was always fun to go to the Mo Club on the weekends. I am a big sports fan and spent a lot of time at the Pressbox and also loved going for hikes up to the M.  Some of the best places to eat are Ciao Mambo and 5 on Black. 

Since leaving the J-School, what do you miss the most?

I do miss the football games and seeing professors like Kevin Tompkins, Ray Fanning and Ray Ekness. 

What are some key facts and personal reflections you think potential recruits would benefit from knowing about the J-School?

This degree is very hands-on and if you like to learn by doing, this would be a wise pick for you. Every day is different and you will be able to do things most people never get the opportunity to do. The J-School set me up for my career but you will honestly learn the most by getting out and doing. I learned so much after school during my first three months in the business. Each day, I feel like I am getting better and hopefully one day my hard work ethic, drive, and passion for getting news will help propel me to where I hope to be one day, which is a top-5 market. The J-School gave me the skills (especially with the camera) to make me stand out and work toward that goal each day.

 

 

montanajournalism Alumni Spotlight, J-School

J-School Alumni Tips: Maritsa Georgiou-Hamilton

To help students better envision their future at the J-School, we have reached out to J-School alumni who have gone on to use their UM Journalism experience as a foundation for their careers.

The 2019 Montana Broadcaster of the Year, Maritsa Georgiou-Hamilton attended UM from 2003 – 2007 and shares a few tips:

Maritsa Georgiou-Hamilton, reporting for NBC Montana

Maritsa Georgiou-Hamilton

UM Journalism School, 2003 – 2007

Areas of focus: communications, political science, radio and television broadcasting, print writing

What are you doing now and how did your journalism education prepare you? 

I’m the evening anchor for NBC Montana. Journalism classes at UM were tough, but they really prepared me for life on the outside. I look back at what I thought was a heavy workload and laugh some days. In the TV news business, “normal days” are followed by days of 17 hour shifts with no food breaks standing in inclement weather or chasing a fugitive behind the cops. One of my biggest takeaways came, again, from Denise Dowling. She put a big emphasis on getting the work done without excuses. It’s no different in the newsroom. Our shows go on every night at 5, 6 and 10, regardless of what might have happened to your footage or how bad your cold is. This isn’t just great career guidance, it’s great life guidance.  

How did a J-School education affect your career path? 

I can’t say enough about the University of Montana School of Journalism. In addition to the hands-on work at school, I landed a job at the local NBC affiliate my junior year. That was only because Denise Dowling sent out a note encouraging my class to apply. That turned into my internship, which turned into my first full-time reporting job. I was in the right place at the right time for several promotions and was anchoring within my first year of working full-time. I have friends who went to journalism schools across the country, including Northwestern and Mizzou, who never even got a job in journalism. I really believe our small, but incredible and immersive program set me up for a lifetime of success in this field. 

Beyond your journalism education, what were some of your favorite experiences in the community of Missoula? 

Missoula is such a special place. It really is a community that cares and makes space for everyone. I love walking down University Ave. on a fall day, going to the Clark Fork River Market in the summer, hiking the M, floating the Clark Fork River, skiing in the winter. You won’t run out of breathtaking experiences here.  

What tips do you have for incoming students at UM? 

Stay active! Make sure you have balance in your life. It’s important to get the work done, but also take time to foster friendships. I can’t believe how many times I’ve used my college connections to network. Take a class that has nothing to do with your major, but just interests you. 

Maritsa and Professor Denise Dowling at the 2019 Montana Broadcaster of the Year Award ceremony

What do you wish you knew when you first started at UM? 

Biga Pizza is worth the extra money. Also, your life path will change because of your time here. Make the best of it!

What advice to you have for students considering pursuing a degree at the J-School? 

Expect to work hard and long hours, but with people you’ll be connected to the rest of your life. If you want to work in journalism, I can’t recommend this school highly enough. I have been so blessed because of my time at UM and so many alums before me have helped in countless ways.  

 

Since leaving the J-School, what do you miss the most? 

I miss seeing the people every day on campus. I still care more about Denise Dowling’s opinion than my own mother’s… and that says a lot. My professors turned into friends. I’m so thankful for my relationships with all of them, and I’m still in touch with them on a fairly regular basis. If I’m ever on campus, I always stop by. 

Any personal reflections you think J-School students might benefit from knowing about the J-School?

Your classmates will become your family.  

You will be part of a web of successful talent that spans decades and experience levels, which is invaluable in this industry.  

 

montanajournalism Crown of the Continent, Crown of the Continent, Graduate, J-School

Reporter’s Notebook: Following The Thread While Covering a Big, Complicated Beat

Hemp grows in a field near Stevensville, Montana. Photo by Kevin Trevellyan.

By Kevin Trevellyan

My nascent journalism career has included a few beats thus far. I covered education at a daily paper, as well as science and city government—unwieldy, amorphous subjects. Part of learning to report a beat is deciding which stories are worth pursuing beyond the obligatory ones. Sure, you need to cover the city council meetings, but what will you work on in between? An analysis of the effects of partisan versus nonpartisan elections? A profile on the longtime city clerk? A records request on communications between local business leaders and elected officials? There isn’t really a “correct” answer, so much as one that represents your journalistic priorities and how they can best serve your audience.Like those beats, which are basically topics, my current focus on hemp – yes, hemp — is similarly expansive. This spring I received a Crown Reporting Project fellowship. My winning pitch was to examine the potential of hemp as an export crop for farmers along the 49th parallel.

As one cliché goes, one can wring 50,000 uses from the fiber, grain and cannabinoids of the 16-foot-tall plant. So, there’s plenty to learn about the crop, and the challenge becomes deciding which angles to include in my long-form print story about Montana’s burgeoning hemp economy.

Hemp, I’ve learned, is a beat of its own. Instead of shaping coverage with stories published over a span of weeks and months, I’m forming a single piece with the varied ideas, sources and scenes that will make for something rich and well-rounded.

Well-rounded, but hopefully focused. I’ve identified a main character or two with whom I’ll spend considerable in-person time. At this stage, though, most of my interviews have been done over the phone. And on nearly each call, new things seize my interest. This or that farmer co-op trying to market boutique hemp-derived products, a lab here researching new crop varieties, or a farmer over there who feels treated more like criminal than businessman. I furiously type these interview returns into my Word document; often they’re followed by exclamation points and bolded for emphasis after I take the phone off my shoulder.

Cold presses in Fort Benton are used to process hemp into oil. Photo by Kevin Trevellyan.

That’s the thrill of discovery. But what do I do with all that junk after the initial excitement of discovery fades? For 20 or so minutes I burn the retinas from my skull staring at the pages and pages and pages of notes on my laptop. Then I relocate to the couch with a novel to “clear my head.” Not every thread can be woven into a single story. It’s difficult deciding which belong, and which muddy my main points.

Still, gaping craters in my reporting lie beside mounds of interview excess. I’m figuring out what I don’t know, but should. It always feels like there’s another phone call to make and person to visit. And there actually is, at this stage in the reporting process. But I don’t know if that feeling will evaporate even after I’ve actually collected the goods.

In the meantime, I keep making calls, combing archived newspaper clippings and seeking technical documents. But reading what I’ve gathered over and over, the material can lose its sheen. A quirky fact becomes mundane with familiarity, and it’s sometimes hard not to eventually think “does anyone even care about this after all?” The worst part is having kind, thoughtful people ask about the thing. Getting beers with a friend: “You’re working on a story about hemp? Can you tell me about it?” Phone call with mom: “Did you see this article about CBD?” In fact, I swore I heard my cat meow “decorticator” the other day after I finished a particularly technical interview about hemp processing equipment.

If the extended reporting process is responsible for my fatigue, though, it also jumpstarts waning enthusiasm. Just when I’m thoroughly tired of hemp — wishing it were still illegal to grow; that I could move on to a story about anything else — I learn something new that gets me hungry all over again. Or I see how an interview or scene could fit into the larger story, and the whole project becomes clearer. Then I start this process again, but I know slightly more and the finished product seems a little closer.

Graduate student Kevin Trevellyan is working with New York Times journalist and author Jim Robbins on a Crown Reporting Project fellowship, which includes Kevin’s work investigating the rise, and legalization, of hemp. See more about the project here.