Advice From Chris Outcalt

Today visiting journalist Chris Outcalt came and had lunch with us at TNH and then gave a talk in the MUB later in the day. It was awesome to see someone who has graduated from UNH go on to do such great things. Between the lunch and the talk I learned some really valuable things.

• Do quality work, no matter what it is you're writing or where you're writing it (twitter, blog, magazine, newspaper)
• Be a good person (Yes, you are a journalist trying to get the facts, but you're also dealing with humans and their emotions.)
• Surround yourself with inspiration (Chris hung inspiring quotes and ideas around his desk.)
• Get it right/check your facts (Don't write a story that isn't true. Always check your sources and what they're telling you.)
• Be willing to struggle in order to achieve what you really want (You might have to take a lower level job before getting the one you really want. You also may need to take a chance and quit your job and move half away across the country to go after your dreams.)
• Great stories have a soul (Tell the whole story and bring life to it. Show the reader who the characters really are by putting emotions and details into the story.)