Moving from Michigan to California was already a whirlwind. But layer on a career shift, and suddenly it wasn’t just a move; it was a daring adventure. And I’ve never shied away from a good adventure.
In September 2025, I loaded up my forest-green Subaru and hit the road for a cross-country trek, not just to travel, but to begin a massive chapter of change. My destination: Santa Cruz, California, to start the UC Santa Cruz Science Communication master’s degree program. I had never spent more than a day in California, and I had zero journalism experience.
Half a dozen national park pit stops later, I arrived, quickly flung into a world of ledes, nut grafs and other writing jargon my research-trained brain struggled to untangle. It took some adjusting but the sunshine definitely helped — especially as my family back in the Midwest was buried under heaps of snow.
A few weeks into the masters’ program, I knew I wanted hands-on experience in a newsroom. In January, I became a science reporting intern at Lookout Local. I had heard the cautionary tales about local reporting: fast-paced environment, tight deadlines, high stakes. But hard work has never stopped me before, so I met with CEO Ken Doctor and stepped into my first journalism role.
I didn’t fully understand newsroom flow or editing at first, but I knew two things: I liked talking to people, and I wasn’t terrible at writing. My first assignment was a “brief”: a short explainer packed with just the essentials for readers. I learned that seasoned journalists often churn out multiple briefs in a day. The perfectionist in me bristled. I wanted to organize thoughts neatly, craft perfect sentences, and take my time. News doesn’t wait for perfection.
That first brief took a lot longer than expected, but I met the deadline. The following weeks brought stories both assigned and discovered through my curiosity and new connection to the community. I highlighted the plethora of local salmon research, showcased science events in Santa Cruz, and explored topics I’d always wanted to dive into.
Most memorably, I reported breaking news on the confirmation of bird flu in California elephant seals — an unfortunate update, but an important one. Turning out that story quickly demanded equal parts adrenaline and caffeine, and it reminded me how critical timely reporting can be.
My time at Lookout Local was influential. I learned the heart of local storytelling, and why it matters now more than ever. Right now the world is confusing and overwhelming, with disappointing and disgusting news flooding our TV screens, social media feeds and email inboxes. Sometimes, it’s grounding — and even uplifting — to focus on your own community: the people you see at the grocery store, the folks sitting beside you in Highway 17 traffic. Local news keeps our minds sane amid the chaos.
With that said, I am so grateful for my short but busy time with Lookout Local. I hope I was able to bring a smile — or teach just one person something about the science unfolding in this beautiful coastal community. Special thanks to Ken Doctor and my editor, Raquel Maria Dillon, for guiding me through the adventure!
