What Journalism Students Can Learn From Kaitlan Collins

For students hoping to work in news, few recent careers offer as many practical lessons as Kaitlan Collins’. Her path from a small Alabama city to prime-time television contains lessons worth studying. Here is what aspiring journalists can take from it.

It is fine to change direction

Collins began college studying chemistry before switching to journalism, proof that early plans can change.

Start wherever you can

Her first role was an internship, a reminder that entry-level work is a legitimate beginning.

Master one beat

Rather than jumping between assignments, she focused on the White House and learned it deeply.

Preparation beats improvisation

Her reputation rests on knowing the record before asking a single question.

Keep questions simple

Short, direct questions are harder to evade than long, complicated ones.

Learn to wait

Silence after a question is a tool, not an awkward gap to be filled.

Stay calm under pressure

Composure keeps an interview productive even when the subject becomes tense.

Follow the facts

Focusing on substance rather than political sides builds credibility with a wide audience.

Expect scrutiny

Public journalism invites criticism, and handling it steadily is part of the job.

Do the unglamorous work

Long hours and routine reporting are what make the visible moments possible.

Recognition follows the work

Her awards came after years of reporting, not before it.

Persistence pays

The through-line of her career is simply continuing to show up prepared, day after day.