Meet a Student

MEET A STUDENT: EMMA CARPENTER

The Illinois native is paving the way for a career in sports journalism.

❙INTERVIEWED BY ERICA BOUSKA

Senior Emma Carpenter is a member of the women’s golf team, works for Gopher Digital Productions, and has a podcast with Golf Channel’s Gary Williams and ESPN’s Jay Bilas. She is a journalism major with a minor in sport management. In April, Carpenter won an Upper Midwest Emmy Student Production Award for a sports segment she produced.

Q What is your dream job?

A My dream job would be a career in sports broadcasting.

Q What has been your favorite part of your experience at the Hubbard School?

A My favorite part of the experience at the Hubbard School is 100 percent the connections I have made with my professors. The professors are extremely qualified and have personally helped me in endeavors outside of class: for example, getting a story published [in] the Daily and entering a film feature into the Student Emmys.

Q What journalism class or professor has had the biggest impact on you?

A Definitely Regina McCombs, Andy Mannix, and Michael Rand. Each one of these professors personally helped me outside of class. Andy helped me edit a story that ultimately got published in the Daily. Regina helped me with my film and editing, then suggested I enter my film feature into the Student Emmys and I ended up winning! Michael Rand has the career that is most similar to what I want to pursue and he has personally listened to my podcasts and offered lots of helpful insight and feedback. I am very grateful for each of them!

Q What advice do you have for future Hubbard School students?

A My advice would be to make an effort to personally connect with your professors and put 100 percent of your heart into each class and assignment because you never know what new passions you may uncover.

Q What tactics do you use to manage school, work and life during the COVID19 pandemic?

A While the different components of life can be stressful and

“I am also surprised how so much of the work I have done in class has already helped my resumé and set me ahead in my desired career path.”

overwhelming, it is important to compartmentalize and stay organized. I like to make a schedule of the things I need to get done and a timeline of when I will do them.

Q What course or professor would you recommend for other students in your major?

A It depends on the career you wish to pursue, but I would absolutely recommend Multimedia Production and Storytelling with Regina McCombs. As someone who never knew I would love to be behind a camera and edit until taking this course, I can confidently say that there are several different aspects of this course and lessons that are taught throughout that are important from a journalistic standpoint when it comes to telling a good story, whether it be print, photography, videography, etc.

Q What is one aspect of your major that surprised you?

A I was surprised [by] how much I have learned about myself within my major. I am also surprised how so much of the work I have done in class has already helped my resumé and, in my opinion, set me ahead in my desired career path.

Q What do you wish you’d known before you started down your career path?

A I wish I knew how easy it is and what a big difference it makes to ask for help. Go to office hours, personally ask your professors for feedback, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. This will set you apart from your peers and allow you to learn much more than just listening in class.