A Perspective on Poynter's Backpack Journalism Program

Oct. 14, 2009

The Backpack Journalist program at the Poynter Institute is the foundation for my reinvention and evolution. A month after finishing the seminar, I found myself unemployed. I had been reporting with the number one station in Sacramento for 9 years. For a moment, it felt like my 14-year professional career in journalism came to a screeching halt.

As I searched for work, I found myself in the middle of a changing journalism landscape. Most television news directors wanted to know if I was willing to shoot and edit, if I was able and willing to become a “V-J” (video journalist), a “D-C” (digital correspondent) or “M-M-J” (multimedia journalists).  Fortunately, the AAJA Poynter Fellowship allowed me to say “yes.”

Thanks to the valuable opportunity offered to me by the AAJA/Poynter Fellowship, I learned how to shoot and edit. For example, I learned the importance of sequencing—getting wide, medium and tight shots. I learned how to manage my time without sacrificing the content of a story. Because of the Poynter program, I was prepared to become both reporter and photographer; I was prepared to pick up a camera and tripod; I was prepared for a major career transition.

Since then, I have landed a multimedia journalist job at another station in Sacramento. I report, shoot, edit, and post stories on the web.  While more of my journalism colleagues find themselves laid off or unemployed, I’m relieved I was given this “parachute” to help cushion my landing. The AAJA/Poynter fellowship came at a critical point in my career and made it possible for me to hone the skills I needed to stay in the business. The Poynter workshop helped save my career by giving me a platform to remain relevant in an ever-changing field. I am thankful to be given a second chance at a career I still believe in.

Suzanne Phan is a multimedia journalist with News10 in Sacramento. She is a board member and past co-president of AAJA Sacramento Chapter. She is also a graduate of the 2006 AAJA Executive Leadership Program in Scottsdale, Arizona.