Ole Miss Alumna Gives Advice to Students

Leslie Dickinson

Jour 271

October 15, 2012

Meek Week

429 words

Ole Miss Alumna Gives Advice to Students

UNIVERSITY, Miss - Aspiring journalism students packed themselves in Farley Thursday morning to listen to Sandra Knispel, a German native who worked her way to succeed in journalism. Knispel came to speak to students during the Meek School of Journalism and New Media’s “Meek Week” about her experience in the journalism field. She gave simple but necessary advice along with stories from her experiences.

Sandra Knispel gives advice to students through her experiences as a journalist. 

            Knispel has worked across the journalism platform. She has gone from newspapers to new media. She has worked with print, broadcast, and radio. She started out with telling the students that it is hard “not just getting a job but maintain and keeping a journalist job,” said Knispel. She said that to gain the experience to become a good journalist and succeed do anything they ask like work on the weekends. “Just say yes and do it,” said Knispel. To be a journalist you need know everything from broadcast to writing.  Knispel snuck in some humor by saying, “just put it in the bathroom and you’ll have time there,” referring to reading Newsweek and Time Magazine.

            Knispel made sure to mention the importance of knowing the basics. Things like don’t spell names wrong and invest in a grammar book. “A good editor brings out the best reporter,” said Knispel. Having a good editor will make sure you have the correct grammar and correct facts.  

            Knispel has won the Edward R. Murrow award twice; the most current was for her news series on Smithville. She shared with the audience an excerpt of the series. When listening to the excerpt the audience could hear the very descriptive details that Knispel included in her series. By showing this to the audience she was able to give her thoughts on reporting stories in small towns. One that stuck out was to go the gas stations because that is where most people are in a small town. She also added to look at the stats and report the facts.  

            Knispel most memorable interview was with a PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder, patient. With this story she is able to tell the audience that it is ok to cry, the interviewee will open up more because the reporter will not look like a hard news reporter but as a person they can trust. By interviewing a PTSD patient you have to practice human dignity, and with that you as a reporter are able to build a good reputation. “Do no harm,” said Knispel.

            “Stand your ground,” said Knispel as she ended her presentation to the aspiring students looking to pursue a career in journalism.