Rachel O'Brien Morano '08
B.A. Journalism
B.A. Political Science
Current Job:
Editor, Open the Books
Freelance Reporter, Newsday
Working full time for a non-profit government watchdog. What I do is journalism, even though it's not a traditional news outlet. I write byline articles every week about government spending, and go on TV to discuss my reporting. I also write feature articles for Newsday as a freelancer
What the SoCJ taught me:
The important basics of good reporting: finding good, reliable sources, checking facts, looking in unusual places for stories, writing to keep a reader's interest.
Advice for future students:
I worked for traditional newspapers for many years and I loved it. But being able to work from home with a child is very important to me, so students shouldn't shy away from non-traditional careers that allow flexibility, whether it's to travel, stay home or just have a different way of life than newsroom jobs allow. Especially after the pandemic, there are many jobs that no longer require you to sit at a desk M-F.
Favorite Thing About SoCJ:
The professors! They're all journalists who have worked in the field for decades and had personal experience with what they were teaching. Without their expertise, I wouldn't have learned what I did.