The best advice that I collected from Chuck Plunkett was to just get into the newsroom. It doesn't matter where it is, if it is a newsroom it'll work. It doesn't matter what you're assigned either. What matters is you do your best at what they have assigned you and blow them away with your writing. If you want to do something else, grind at what you've been given and they'll appreciate your hard work. With more work, they may be more likely to put you where you want to be.
Plunkett expressed that it is difficult to get into the journalism world but that shouldn't deter an aspiring journalist. He encouraged the participants to try their best with what they're doing even if it isn't journalism.
It was inspiring to hear Plunkett talk about past students and where they have ended up in the journalism world. He mentioned one even went onto ABC but didn't specify which one. He lit up talking about prior students and their achievements which was nice to see the fire and passion he has for being a supportive professor.
Plunkett references his TED Talk from years ago and how newsrooms are diminishing. Newsrooms are disappearing and not resurfacing. Either they’re being bought out by larger companies or they are so small that they are washed under the surface and have a hard time making their way back to the spotlight. This is one of the reasons that it is so difficult to get into the journalism world. He expressed the importance of pushing your way into it even if it seems like it is shrinking. The people want news, they want to know and they want their sources to reliable and credible.
I want to say thank you to Chuck Plunkett for his time this evening!
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