By Olivia Sanchez

Rachel, Rachel & I at the Washington Post

Olivia Sanchez, Rachel Ramriez, Nancy Copic and Rachel Rippetoe at the Facebook party at Newseum

Look, the capitol!

Facebook party at Newseum!

MJ Bears fellows give early career advice

Truth, trust and media panel

The art of getting s*** done panel

a map I found in the exhibition hall of places conference attendees have reported from and what they reported on!
#ONA17 was an amazing experience. It was so great to be around people who are doing what I want to do (and doing it well). I feel reinspired and and ready to fill out the millions of internship apps I have due within the next month! Here is some of what I learned!
My takeaways:
- Never let one source make or break your story. Do enough reporting that you can do your story even if a big source blows you off. Never be in a position where you’re relying on one person.
- Be patient in interviewing. Stay even after you get a good quote. Wait for people to open up to you.
- Do ambitious journalism.
- Don’t tie your identity to your job.
- Go above and beyond. Always say yes in the newsroom. Always be willing to do more.
My favorite sessions and what I learned:
The Art of Getting S**t Done
This session was done in panel format, and featured Justin Ellis (ESPN), S. Mitra Kalita (CNN Digital), and Elena Bergeron (SB Nation). The description on the conference app said the session was designed for “anyone who wants real-world advice on accomplishing their goals.” And, “this is meant to be a candid, real-world conversation about what it takes to move something to your “done” column.
This was one of my favorite sessions because the panelists were open and honest about what it is like to work, and succeed in this industry, and still be a person. Some major things I learned from this session include:
- You need to be able to thrive on change
- What are the ideas I’m most passionate about? Prioritize. Organize your life around these.
- Celebrate even the small victories
- Don’t waste people’s time
- Have other things (besides your job) in your life that mean a lot to you. Spend time and energy on these regularly.
- Eat healthy to be more productive!!
- Send “atta boy” emails on Friday (shoutouts to coworkers), and your work week goals to your boss on Monday.
- To be a successful leader, you need to ask for help. Ask for input. Understand the decisions you’re making and the impacts they will have on others
Trust, Truth and Questions for the Media
This was the keynote on the first day of the conference and it was by far one of the best sessions I attended. It was moderated by Brian Stelter (CNN) and featured panelists Michelle Homes (Alabama Media Group), Elle Reeve (Vice), Nikole Hannah-Jones (New York Times Magazine), Cenk Uygur (The Young Turks) and Asma Khalid (WBUR).
The main topic of this session was the role of the media in the current political climate. It was great because all the panelists came from different backgrounds and publications, and all brought different viewpoints to the session. By far my favorite was Nikole Hannah-Jones and the way she talked about diversity issues in the media. She focused on the the need to give voice to marginalized communities who are so often left out of the news narrative the is promoted by mainstream media. She also was adamant about the need for diversity in newsrooms, and how important it is that reporters look like the communities that they are covering.
Panelists also discussed the importance of getting to know the communities you cover, not just popping in and out, but staying and returning and making sure that you have the real, full story.
Interviewing advice from David Farenthold
This session was awesome. David is awesome. #goals
- If the front door doesn’t open, start outside and work your way in.
- Go into interviews knowing more than your source
- Always be polite
- If someone is going to lie to you, let them tell the whole lie first. Then gently unravel it
- Don’t worry about being annoying. It’s your job to get all the information
- Let your sources talk! Be OK with silence. Never finish their sentences.
- Never leave yourself open to unverified information, even if it’s coming from good intentions