Breadcrumb
Journalism, B.A. | Class of
Louis Ramirez
National Photojournalist
Employer: The E.W. Scripps Company
Job description: I travel across the US and sometimes out of the country to produce long-form stories. As a photojournalist, my job consists of shooting and editing the stories assigned to me. We produce stories that air on the company's Over-the-top platforms, also known as OTT. OTT is an on-demand structure just like Netflix and other subscriptions. In this case, Scripps owns 40-plus TV stations across the country, Court TV, newsy, and the ION network. Our content is distributed across all those platforms.
About Louis
Why did you choose this program?
Honestly, I went to Humboldt to study film but ended up switching over since I felt Journalism would open up more doors for me after graduation. My initial goal was to get a job that would let me shoot video or photographs. Little did I realize how much would change after the switch.
How did this program prepare you for your job?
I got to learn the overall structure of what the journalism field is about, but I'd have to give credit for my passion to The Lumberjack. I was a part of the paper for almost three whole years. I went from being a photographer to the visual editor. I learned a lot from the other students running the paper. That experience gave me a good understanding of what a newsroom would feel like.
What did you enjoy most about the program?
I would have to say the family atmosphere that both the faculty and students created. It was rare when I met someone that wasn't passionate and a self-starter. An experience you won't get from most universities.
What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?
I'm a strong believer that college is 20% textbook learning and 80% what you decided to make it. The 20% is what you will be taught by the faculty at the university and the other 80% is your drive to make it the best possible experience. What that means is being a self-starter, trying new things, making your presence known, learning to work well with others, and lastly becoming a leader that others can count on but not forgetting you count on them as well.