Outside prospective of an insider.

Michael Baker

Jour 271

Sandra Knispel

Words 413

OXFORD, MS – Students in the school of journalism at the University of Mississippi received some insight into the world they all hope to be a part of, professional journalism. With more than enough experience and decorated background Sandra Knispel provided for the students a clear look into her professional past and the things that it takes to reach that point. Born and raised in Germany Sandra Knispel has also lived and worked in England, Wales, France and the U.S. She graduated with a B.A. in Politics and Russian Studies from the University of Wales, Swansea and went on to earn an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Mississippi.

Knispel described her first job as an awful experience. The job was an American newspaper for Germans based in New York. Cases of racism and plagiarism were everyday occurrences in the workplace. Sandra explained how for an extended period of time her boss would instruct her to copy facts and reports word for word from another newspaper. This proved to be stressful for her as it would be to any true ethical journalist. “Not being able to remain firm to my morals furthered me from my job at the end of each work day” said Knispel.

For reasons concerning her immigrant status, Sandra toughed it out for a while longer before relocating to Germany. She was a national television anchor in London for Bloomberg TV Germany, covering financial markets, economics and European Union summit meetings across the EU. While working back in Germany worked on several different media platforms, including several regional German newspapers.

Halfway through the presentation Sandra Knispel described the importance of getting production room experience. “There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes that you can only learn from being there” she said. “Even if it’s just a visit, go see a newsroom.”

Knispel after moving to Oxford with her husband in 2001 became the managing editor for the weekly Oxford Enterprise. Also included in Sandra Knispels’ incredible resume is the multimedia editor for Bloomberg Financial Markets in Princeton, New Jersey, as well as Bloomberg's European multimedia editor in London. As of late, she writes for two national magazines, Conceive and Baby talk. Her broadcast work earned her regional and national Edward R. Murrow and numerous AP Mississippi awards. Her magazine stories have won several prizes, including one for excellence in writing from the Florida Magazine Association, and a prestigious team national Folio awards.