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Mitch Goldich

Mitch Goldich (MSJ14)

Writer and NFL editor/producer at Sports Illustrated
Mitch Goldich

Why did you choose Medill?

Obviously, Medill’s reputation speaks for itself, and anyone looking at Medill knows it’s one of the top programs in the country. What made Medill stand out from some other programs I considered was that it felt like I had more flexibility. I had a track and a concentration but still had the chance to take different types of classes outside my concentration.

What was your greatest achievement or best experience?

My final project in my video capstone class is one of my proudest accomplishments from the program. It was great to have the opportunity to spend a few months on a single project, which allowed me to be more ambitious in the way I reported. I also loved being in an environment where our whole class worked together, serving as assistants on each other’s stories. Instead of being competitive and worrying about whose project was best, we had a really collaborative class and came together on a group project.

I completed a nine-minute video about controversy surrounding Wrigley Field at the time of its centennial (things have gotten a little better for the Cubs since I graduated), and it became one segment in a 30-minute class show.

How has your Medill training helped you in your career so far? Are there skills or lessons you learned at Medill that you still use today?

I learned and sharpened skills at Medill that I use every day in the newsroom. I ended up taking a job in social media, but one of the things my employer liked about me was my versatility to do lots of different things. I learned a lot about editing video at Medill and because I had those skills, I was given the chance to edit and produce podcasts. Not long after that I was also able to be a fill-in host on one of our podcasts and then eventually host my own show. I’m not sure that would have come about if not for being able to step in and do the grunt work editing audio on one of our best shows.

What advice do you have for someone who might be looking to pursue a degree in journalism?

Take advantage of your time in the program by doing as much as you can. It’s cliché to say that you get out of it what you put in, but it’s also very true. Pitch projects outside the scope of your class. Do things that are more difficult than the minimum requirements. Develop relationships with professors, even if you don’t take their classes. The one-year grad program goes by very quickly, so maximize your time to make sure you leave with skills, clips and relationships to help you going forward.