Jade Jackson
Indianapolis Recorder
Indianapolis, IN USA
"I go out every single day, even when I'm not working on the clock and I'm just finding stories, especially those stories that go uncovered. That's my passion is making sure that those types of stories get told."
Career Roadmap
Jade's work combines: Journalism, Writing, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
We're taught in school that empathy is compromising to journalism. However, I believe that being empathetic has helped me with my stories and career. It helps me connect more deeply to the people I'm serving. At the same time, you need to be cognizant of how your stories may be affecting you. For example, after covering a particularly sad case, I sought therapy and focused on self-care, making sure to give importance to the delicate balance between empathy and professionalism moving forward.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Public Relations
University of North Texas
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
In high school, I was engaged in both newspaper and TV show production, developing a love for the performance aspect of storytelling.
2.
I went to college initially considering a career in acting, public relations, or a related role in entertainment.
3.
After taking a journalism elective during my junior year, I realized how much I loved it and ultimately chose journalism over entertainment.
4.
I became a voice for the African American community in Shreveport, Louisiana, reflecting diverse narratives often overlooked by mainstream media.
5.
I embraced my role as a young journalist in Arkansas, utilizing empathy and positive engagement to connect with and uplift the community.
6.
I started introducing innovative storytelling techniques, like TikTok, to engage younger audiences and bring fresh perspectives to journalism.
7.
At the Indianapolis Recorder, I champion the power of personal engagement and community events, bringing stories closer to the hearts of our readers.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Teachers:
Empathy doesn't belong in journalism. You're not the story. Stay on the side.
How I responded:
We're taught in school that empathy is compromising to journalism. However, I believe that being empathetic has helped me with my stories and career. It helps me connect more deeply to the people I'm serving. At the same time, you need to be cognizant of how your stories may be affecting you. For example, after covering a particularly sad case, I sought therapy and focused on self-care, making sure to give importance to the delicate balance between empathy and professionalism moving forward.