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What do you do and what is most interesting about it?
I am associate director of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks, a non-profit organization in Columbia, Mo., that does community education on peace, justice and environmental issues. I love that my job is extremely varied; each day offers new challenges and opportunities. The work I do ranges from organizing events (lining up speakers, locations, etc.) to writing for, editing and designing our organizational newsletter to working in and ordering items for our non-profit store, the Peace Nook. I also design all of our event flyers and leaflets and co-coordinate a natural foods buying club.

What is the best professional lesson that you learned while at the J-School?
The skills I acquired while at the J-School have been the most valuable to me.

What advice do you have for current J-School students?
If you can write well, you can do just about anything. Other essential skills are editing, knowledge of desktop publishing and design programs and Web design. With these skills, you will be highly regarded and in demand. For those of you writing stories, try to be a voice for the public interest. Try to see stories outside of the official news release. I am amazed every day when I see the news and realize that what we see is a sanitized, American-centric view of the world. All hope is not lost for journalism, though. Many local outlets provide excellent coverage of their local issues, and on the national level, many courageous journalists serve the public interest well. Listen to, read and watch alternative media. These sources will provide truly groundbreaking analysis of current issues, the type of analysis you won't find in mainstream media.

What did you want to be as a kid?
As a kid I wanted to be a paleontologist, and I have a degree in anthropology. After I graduated from the J-School, I did not plan to do anything in journalism, but I found this wonderful job that just happened to require the skills I had learned while in school. I love what I do, especially because I'm doing something I believe in and feel good about.