By the time I began Professor Feinman's Introduction to Journalism class, I was certain I wanted to be a journalist and I had already had many internships in the field. I knew, though, that I lacked the formal introduction and that my knowledge was limited to only the issues and experiences I had encountered on the job, so I felt that I needed to learn some of the techniques and guidelines in the classroom. I think anyone who is interested in journalism should also learn abut the field in a classroom. Regardless of the experience level, there are things that one can only learn thought the assignments and lectures of formal instruction.

Not only did I learn important aspects of reporting, interviewing, and writing, but Professor Feinman encouraged our class to think critically about the differences in media outlets and publications and focus on the individual journalist's role; the potential impact one person can have, in civic journalism for example. One journalist who investigates and seeks to uncover a societal ill can spur change that can affect many people.

Aside from becoming more enthusiastic about my profession (in Intro to Journalism and also in Media Techniques) these classes were my favorites in all four years at Georgetown, because they were exciting, interesting, and rich in information.

Every assignment fit perfectly into a class program aimed at simulating situations journalists may encounter. I often think of the lessons and examples from class in my journalistic endeavors.

Some classes were devoted to difficult ethical questions, we also compared coverage of events and how various news organizations differed in their news judgment. The array of speakers who came from varied backgrounds was an essential component of the Intro course and personified the examples from class. All of the guest speakers were lively and energetic and made me even more eager to begin a career in journalism.

Though there are certain applications and techniques that one can only learn in the classroom, these are best complemented by experience in the workforce. That was the focus of the Media Techniques course: the class that included an internship requirement. We filled out a journal entry of what we did at work that week, and at the end of the semester, the presentations from each student gave us insight into the workings and job responsibilities at various news outlets.

After graduating from Georgetown I interned at Washingtonian Magazine and started working at the Associated Press in Washington. I am in my second year at the AP, and I have covered a wide range of topics at this fast-paced organization. I have covered news conferences, protests, hearings on Capitol Hill, speeches, in town travel pool with the president, and I have also gotten to write feature stories.

I enjoy working at the AP, where I never know what event I might be covering any given day. I thrive off the excitement off this, and the fast-paced atmosphere created by the constant deadline.

I am most interested in political coverage, which I was fortunate to cover at the AP during the Democratic Primaries and the presidential election. But, my first exposure with an election "all nighter" was during my internship at NationalJournal.com for the Media Techniques course. At NationalJournal.com I worked on stories and polling information during the 2002 midterm election. That experience prepared me for this election night, in which AP played a pivotal role.

I highly recommend both courses for anyone interested in pursuing a career in journalism, or anyone who is simply curious about the intricacies and the influence of this powerful fourth branch of government.