Degree(s): BJ ’20

What do you do?

I’m currently a rising 2L at Texas Tech Law. I worked at a personal injury law firm in Dallas for a little more than a year before beginning my study of law.

This summer I’m working for a Dallas County Judge and then a personal injury law firm.

How did you get your job?

It was a direct application. I quite literally mailed an application to the firm in question.

What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School?

Be open — put yourself out there. This applies not only to potential network opportunities but more importantly the people in your community that you intend to serve (and ideally better) through your reporting.

Most of my reporting at the Missourian revolved around crime and the Boone County Courthouse: take time to give people the time they deserve (even when you can’t use what you get in a story).

For example, getting to know the bailiffs at the courthouse over two years was incredibly helpful for trial and overall court coverage.

What advice do you have for current students?

Check your email — the lead for a story involving a settlement between the city of Columbia and a telecommunication company went into my spam.

What is your favorite J-School memory?

Being in the newsroom on the 2020 election night — and retweeting (announcing) the election results on the Columbia Missourian Twitter account.