How a college student became interested in biz journalism

Joseph M. de Leon is a former college student from San Antonio who now writes business stories for the Frederick News-Post. It’s a beat that he never thought he’d be interested in.

In the Ranger, the publication of San Antonio College and Alamo Community College, de Leon writes about his transformation from college student to serious business journalist with the help of the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund.

de Leon wrote, “The change started with a week-long residency at New York University, where I studied business reporting courtesy of the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund.

“That week was overwhelming.

“I met 14 other aspiring journalists from places such as Columbia and San Francisco State universities. I was the only student from a community college.

“We toured the New York Stock Exchange, learned how to write an earnings report and engaged in a mock press conference.

“Writing coaches from the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Left Business Observer critiqued our work.

“Not only did the residency change the way I write, it also changed the way I see myself.”

Later, he added, “Accepting a job as a business reporter has changed the way I look at life. Everything is related to business.

“Politics, religion, sports and education all have deep ties to money. But, it’s not money that makes for an interesting story.

“It’s all about people.”

Read more here.