By Melissa Lent
As a researcher and multimedia specialist for the Center for an Urban Future, my work constantly relies on the skills I learned in Hunter’s Journalism Program: reporting, writing, research, editing, and critical thinking.
Currently, I’m writing a report on the economic barriers facing New Yorkers with disabilities and the solutions from experts on how to create a more inclusive economic recovery. For this report, I interviewed almost 35 people, including direct service providers, government officials, and people with disabilities.
My first experience honing my interview skills came from Reporting and Writing I in my sophomore year of college, and I’ve carried them into my career.
For a report on CUNY’s non-tuition financial barriers that we published this summer, I wrote the script, produced an accompanying video with an outside production company, and then narrated the finished product. I felt confident about writing concise scripts and voicing the project thanks to my experience in Reporting and Writing II and my honors project, which was a four-part podcast with my adviser, Professor McCarthy.
After graduating Hunter in 2020 and before joining Center for an Urban Future at the end of April, I took on several projects and positions: reporting local news for Gotham Gazette; adjunct lecturing for Hunter’s media department; producing a podcast episode for the Lady Gaga Foundation on youth mental health; completing a podcast apprenticeship; and writing a article on youth caretakers. Each step of the way, the lessons my journalism teachers ingrained in me about responsible and clear storytelling influenced my work.
Hunter’s Journalism Program helped me grow my journalism skills in a safe and encouraging environment, and made me into the writer I am today.