From Toronto, Ont., Jacqueline Newsome has produced stories for The Canadian Press, the Investigative Journalism Bureau and more. This summer, she will complete a two-month placement at CBC’s Toronto headquarters, followed by a two-month regional placement in Montreal as a recipient of the prestigious CBC News summer scholarship for emerging journalists. Here, she reflects on the highlights and lessons learned from completing her Master of Journalism.
What drew you to King’s originally?
The prospect of working on one journalistic project of my choosing for a full year, guided by first-in-class professors who could make sure I am reporting responsibly, and with style.
What inspired you to pursue the Master of Journalism program?
The degree attracted me because it was an invitation to be inquisitive without limits for a whole career.
Was there a course, professor, reading requirement or experience that has had a lasting impact on you?
Business of Journalism—it’s a realistic look at what it takes to inform people and not go bankrupt doing so, and Terra Tailleur teaches it with fun and athenticity. It’s not doom and gloom; there is a market for creative journalism as long as we care about our audiences enough to meet them where they are.
How did your extracurricular endeavors enhance or shape your experience?
Every good story idea I ever had was born out of chats I had out in Halifax when attending events or volunteering. Shooting the breeze out in your city is genuinely the best journalistic pastime.
What’s your top study tip?
Make every assignment relevant to what gets you excited about journalism.
What’s your favourite spot on campus?
The bookstore: the best curated selection of novels and the kindest staff.
What’s one thing from your time at King’s that you’re especially proud of?
The friendships I made with inquisitive and kind people. I hope to get a chance to work with King’s journalists again and again over my entire career.
Thinking back to who you were when you received your acceptance letter, what would you tell them?
Be as patient as you can—good work takes time and trust with sources: the kind that’s built with every decision you make to go the extra mile and understand a story better.
Where do you hope your degree takes you next?
An infinite number of new research projects, born out of relationships built in community.
