Two Mercer University journalism alumnae kicked off their careers this summer with placements in local newsrooms through Report for America. Amélie Horace and Megan Jackson, both of whom graduated in May, are the first Mercerians to be chosen as corps members for this national program, in which emerging journalists strengthen their skills while reporting on undercovered topics and communities at partner news organizations.
They are among 107 people chosen from more than 1,300 applicants and now serving in 101 newsrooms across the country. Members work in their placements for at least two years, with the option to continue for a third year, and often get hired for full-time positions at their newsrooms afterward, said Jackson, who is from Villa Rica.
Horace, from Decatur, served as campus news editor of The Cluster and worked with The Macon Newsroom, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Macon Magazine, Macon Arts Alliance and 13WMAZ while she was a Mercer student. She discovered a knack for audio journalism while working on a podcast project with one of her journalism professors, which spurred her to seek jobs in that area.
“I went to Mercer because of its journalism program,” Horace said. “College is crazy, but the one thing that was consistent was I loved the journalism program. I felt so well-rounded and informed when I graduated.”
Through Report for America, she became a producer and engagement reporter at WUSF in Tampa, Florida, this summer. She loves talking to people, doing field work and trying new things, and her position aligns with all of those.
“The thing that really excited me about it was it wasn’t a specific beat,” she said. “It was covering local journalism for a large city. I wanted to work in a big city and not be resigned to working on a certain topic.”
Horace works on a TV show called “Florida Matters: Live and Local,” which was hosted weekly but is going daily Sept. 29. She has been booking guests for the show, and she may create pre-recorded story segments for it in the future.
“We’re doing a lot of new things,” she said. “We’re going to take calls. The goal is to be engaging and interactive, so people who listen to the show are hearing their voices.”
As a Mercer student, Jackson interned with The (Macon) Telegraph and Georgia Public Broadcasting, worked on a podcast project with a professor, and served as editor-in-chief for The Cluster. Through these experiences, she discovered a love for print journalism.
“A great thing about our journalism program is we have so many community partners. There are so many opportunities for people to really experience what a career in journalism is going to look like,” she said. “I’m thankful that I got to go to Mercer because I probably wouldn’t have applied for Report for America if it hadn’t been for people in our journalism program pushing me.”
In July, Jackson joined the Marietta Daily Journal. She mainly reports on local government but covers other areas as needed, including crime and community events. She enjoys being able to get to know her community and gain a better understanding of people and their motivations through her work.
“Report for America, their mission is something that I really do believe in. They aim to strengthen communities through local journalism by placing journalists in local news,” she said.
Jackson said it’s an honor to be a part of the Report for America program, and she plans to make the most of it.
“I think I have a lot to learn, but through all of the experience, I think I am going to leave this program a very good journalist,” she said. “I am passionate about local journalism, so I hope to form a niche in local communities and local reporting wherever I go.”
Report for America corps members also have the opportunity to be paired with industry mentors, participate in continuing education workshops and network with other members.
“It’s been such a good experience,” Horace said. “One of the good things about doing this with the station and also with Report for America is I have such a good support system and people to lean on.”
