I didn’t fully know what I was stepping into when I began reporting for Illinois Public Media Student Newsroom. IPM is based at WILL and serves as the local NPR affiliate, so the work carries a different kind of weight. Even though I’ve only been part of the newsroom since January, it’s already pushed me in ways I didn’t anticipate.
I’m one of eight students selected to provide factual coverage across central Illinois, reporting on beats like housing, civics and local uses of AI. I was placed on the education beat, which has been a really rewarding shift from the kind of reporting I’m used to.
One of the most defining parts of this experience is how hands-on it is. When I go out for a story, I do everything myself. I take photos, write captions, record audio with professional equipment, gather ambient sound, and sometimes shoot vertical video for social media. I also edit my audio for radio and write scripts for the wrap, cut/copy and web story. Throughout the process, I work closely with my editors to refine each piece and ensure accuracy across every platform.
Because of these experiences, I’ve had to learn how to adapt quickly when things don’t go as planned, and how to stay flexible while still producing strong, accurate work. I hope to keep building these skills as I continue through the rest of the semester.
Published Work!
This is my most recent story, where I reported on the Mahomet Public Library’s push for an $8.9 million bond referendum to fund a major expansion. This piece felt especially rewarding because I was able to fully immerse myself in the reporting process.
I visited the library twice — first to interview Library Director John Howard, and then again to attend a Preschool Playdate event where I spoke with parents about their experiences and perspectives on the proposed expansion. Being in that space, and even interacting with (and photographing) the kids with their parents’ permission, added another layer to the story.
Throughout the reporting, I constantly had to adapt. Not every kid is eager to talk when there’s a scary microphone and camera in their face, so I had to adjust how I approached people, sometimes pivoting to different sources or changing the way I asked questions. Over time, I was able to get some kids to warm up to me, which made those moments feel even more meaningful.
The first time I visited the library, it was completely empty — which didn’t reflect the need for an expansion that the story was centered on. I knew I had to go back to capture the reality of the space, and that second visit ended up being essential for gathering the interviews, photos and atmosphere the story needed. My goal was to clearly show the families that constantly visit the library who desire a bigger space, and to reflect that not only through interviews, but through my photos as well.
This was the first story I ever did for IPM, and it really threw me right into things. When I woke up that morning, I had no idea I’d be covering a press conference where Sen. Dick Durbin was announcing $3.5 million in federal funding to expand Parkland College’s dental hygiene clinic.
I remember having to quickly figure things out with my editor, since I had never covered a press conference before — especially not one with such a prominent figure. I was given a few questions to ask Durbin if I got the chance, but beyond that, everything was happening in real time and I just had to trust myself.
Being there taught me a lot. Other reporters offered to help me with audio, which reminded me how collaborative this work can be, even in busy environments. I also realized how important it is to be extroverted in these situations — figuring out who to talk to, when to jump in and how to make the most of the time you have. And getting to speak with Durbin was definitely a cool moment.
Since the story was so timely, I jumped straight into pulling everything together as soon as I got back — going through my photos and audio and writing the scripts and web story as quickly as I could. Getting as much material as possible in the moment ended up making the editing and writing process much easier in the long run.