Ask an upperclassman Journalism student or Panther writer for beat reporting tips. (Post to blog)

For help with reporting on my Health beat, I asked The Panther writer and Editor-In-Chief, Amber Harris, for her advice. Here’s what she shared with me.

• Be present on campus/involved. It is easier to write stories and get interviews if you’re a familiar face and build a rapport with peers (and faculty).

• Stories are all around you! CAU is full of life; if you observe what’s around you, there’s always something to write about.

• Don’t be shy about writing about things outside of CAU, like the surrounding communities and other institutions in the AUC. People and things outside of ourselves impact us.

• Write, take videos, or record audio! Even if you’re going to write the article immediately after an event or interview, I find it easier to recall details if I recorded some part of it (whether it’s notes I took or audio recordings).

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you make an observation and want more details, talk to the people around you. Ask questions!

• Write consistently! Build up your muscles to write consistently, and it will become easier (theoretically)

These tips reminded me that strong beat reporting comes from being present, curious, and consistent. As a Health beat reporter, my stories can significantly benefit from community engagement by listening to people’s experiences can make my stories more engaging and relatable.