1. Understand and apply the First Amendment principles and the law appropriate to professional practice.
Through investigative reporting in my investigative journalism class and Bajari Pro internship, I have upheld the First Amendment by gathering and providing accurate and unbiased news while reporting complex issues.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
My multicultural media history course has taught me the importance of media in the black community over the years and helped me develop an understanding of industry professionals. By learning the meaning of the black press and my role as a black journalist, I have gained a sense of professionalism.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in a global society in relation to communications.
Covering a wide range of topics such as sports, the D.C. Council, and food, I have highlighted issues affecting the black community, the D.C. community, and the world. I have gotten diverse perspectives to focus on both sides of the story to further my credibility.
4. Understand concepts and apply theories in the use of and presentations of images and information.
As a graphic design minor, I have utilized programs such as Canva, Google Slides, and Adobe Indesign to design engaging content communicating my point about information.
5. Work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness, and diversity
I have gathered research for both sides of my stories to pursue the truth. I have also interviewed direct sources for more accurate insight on issues to maintain fairness and diversity.
6. Think critically, creatively, and independently.
In order to avoid biased stories, I have researched the topics to gain a better understanding, especially for my interviews. For example, I wrote a story about MLK Day and the Inauguration falling on the same day in my capstone class. Despite strongly feeling about the issue, I researched why they fell on the same day.
7. Conduct research and evaluate information by method appropriate to the communications profession in which they will work.
My Truth Be Told, Advanced Multimedia Storytelling and Interactive Editing courses have taught me to fact-check everything my sources say because what they tell could be accurate. To fact-check my sources, I have had to gather more interviews with people in higher ranks.
8. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communication professions, audiences, and purposes they serve
Taking many courses here at the Cathy Hughes School of Communications has caused me to adapt to new writing styles every semester, which has helped me improve my writing skills. Despite myself being taught a different news writing style every semester, the most challenging one I have had to adapt to is public affairs reporting.
9. Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate styles, and grammatical correctness.
My experience in Capstone, Advanced Multimedia Storytelling, and Interactive Editing has taught me to edit my own stories before turning them in. When others edit my stories, I also learn how I can further improve my editing skills when editing my other classmates’ stories.
10. Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
My Advanced Multimedia Storytelling class has taught me the importance of statistical concepts in my stories because they add credibility and help audience members understand the issue. For example, I learned that statistics tell audience members why they should care about the problem you’re writing about.
11. Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
I have utilized tools such as Adobe Indesign and Illustrator to build my brand as a journalist. For example, our final in my Digital Design class included creating a magazine. I used the knowledge of branding that I had learned in my graphic design class to help build an effective magazine design.
12. Understand and demonstrate the ethical use of digital communication
Attending classes such as visual journalism and multimedia audio production have taught me different ways to tell a story, which has helped me improve my reporting skills. I’m not limited as a journalist; I can create writing, video, or audio stories.
13. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship.
I have gained an understanding of entrepreneurship and intra-premiership through my Multicultural media history course and internship. For example, my multicultural media history professor owns a news wire, so there were some days we were able to see her in action.
14. Demonstrate an awareness of hearing, language, and speech disorders, and other physical abilities and disabilities & their accommodations.
I create visual, written, and audio stories to make my work inclusive. Despite my work being heavily news writing, I plan to create more visual and audio stories in the future to increase my inclusivity.
15. Apply the principles of effective oral /interpersonal communications in various professional contexts.
When interviewing and writing, I communicate complex story ideas using simpler words and formatting to make the content less confusing. The main takeaway from the Advanced Multimedia Storytelling class is to “Write what you mean.”
16. Demonstrate media literacy with a critical understanding of messages in mediated communication.
Through the knowledge and skills I have gained as a journalist, I have evaluated media outlets, recognizing biases and untrustworthy news.
Christion Billy 