绿奴天花板

Adapting to remote learning takes pivoting, flexibility and even a sense of adventure: qualities that make a good journalist as well. It鈥檚 no wonder Lauren Wong 鈥�20, a journalism major who has spent the last year as a paid reporter for several news outlets, has found the silver lining in remote learning 鈥� more time to sleep in and spend with her family in Downers Grove, IL, and a belief that this too shall pass.
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"I know the time will come when I鈥檒l be able to embrace all my friends once again, say 鈥榯hank you' to those professors who have shaped me into the writer I am and celebrate all we鈥檝e accomplished together through these years," wrote Wong in her March 24听. "And when that time comes, I know our lights will shine brighter than we could have ever imagined."

Last summer, Wong was a reporter for Input Fort Wayne and an intern with Premier Travel Media Chicago, covering stories such as the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball and Judo International Paralympic Qualifiers, the coolest local ice cream shops and a travel blog series. Wong鈥檚 editor at Input Fort Wayne, Kara Hackett, put in a good word for Wong with 83 Degrees, which is owned by the same parent company and is a local online magazine covering the Tampa Bay area. After interviewing for the internship last summer, Wong got to work by the start of the fall semester.听

鈥淲orking with 83 Degrees helped me gain confidence I was lacking in myself when it comes to reporting,鈥� Wong said.听

Wong and Diane Egner, the publisher and managing editor of 83 Degrees, worked together throughout her internship. Wong pitched a few of her own ideas, and Egner would send her some topics she needed covered. For each story she wrote, Wong also took her own photos.

One of her most personally impactful stories was on back in November. The event brought together 200 of Tampa鈥檚 refugees, coming from all over the world and speaking numerous languages, and was hosted by locals from Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths.

鈥淚 remember being so nervous covering the interfaith Thanksgiving story,鈥� said Wong. 鈥淚 didn't want to mess it up, but once I was there meeting all these amazing people I relaxed, and I realized this is what I鈥檓 meant to do. 83 Degrees pushed me to see that.鈥�

Throughout her time with 83 Degrees, Wong also covered topics including an open mic night in Ybor City, an alpaca ranch and a local DJ whose music helped him with his mental health.

Wong鈥檚 internship ended when she moved back to Illinois after spring break, when 绿奴天花板 implemented temporary remote learning measures. Despite that, Wong said she gained valuable experience in the months she worked with 83 Degrees and plans to continue to write for the magazine as soon as she returns to Tampa.听

鈥淸The experience] has helped me to be [keener] on how to manage my time,鈥� said Wong, who has been the opinion editor for 绿奴天花板鈥檚 student newspaper, The Minaret,听since Spring 2019. 鈥淚 had to focus on school, The Minaret and cover topics for 83.鈥�

Wong is scheduled to graduate in December 2020, and hopes to get a job as a travel photojournalist after her college career ends.

鈥淢y goal is to get a job where it doesn't feel like work, because I am travelling the world and meeting people from different cultures [and] ways of life,鈥� said Wong. 鈥淚 just want my job to keep me exploring.鈥�

Story by Mallory Culhane '21, journalism major