Oakland University Journalism
Alumnotes

Vhere's Vincent?
Can you spot Oakland University journalism student Vincent Saaid in this trailer for George Clooney's
"The Ides of March"?

If you spot Vincent, share your answer with us on OU JRN's facebook.
(False Example: Vincent appears at 0:21)

Hint: His appearance is within the first minute.

What do OU journalism students do after graduation? See for yourself:


Tim Rath, 2009


I have worked as a non-profiter in San Francisco, a blogger in Lima, a busker in Amsterdam and a team leader in Oxford. I currently work as local editor of West Bloomfield Patch, using skills acquired earning a bachelor's degree in Summer 2009 including video editing, beat reporting and event photography to provide hyperlocal news in an entirely online media. I am also a proud alum of The Oakland Post's web division at oaklandpostonline.com


 

Kaniqua Daniel, 2004


After graduating from Oakland, I landed my DREAM-job as a news reporter at The Oakland Press. A Pontiac native, this is my ‘hometown’ newspaper, thus a big deal for me and my family. Within four years, I provided news coverage for every major community in Oakland County, including the courts and cops beats, as well as my beloved city of Pontiac. That love quickly died after enduring 2 a.m. city council meetings. In 2008, I made the switch to P.R. at the POH Riley Foundation, the non-profit organization and fundraising arm of POH Regional Medical Center. Here, I am responsible for all corporate publications, marketing material, and media relations for coverage of hospital news and foundation events. I am also pursuing a master's degree in communication at Wayne State University.



 

Rob Tate, 2008



I have been a sports writer at the Daily American Republic newspaper in Poplar Bluff, Missouri for two and one-half years. Since moving in August 2008, I married my longtime girlfriend Sara and we bought a house. I really enjoy living in a small town and have made a smooth transition personally and professionally. I report on high school sports, which are very popular here since the nearest pro sports team is more than two hours away, as well as junior college sports. I also assist in copy editing, page layout and I shoot my own photos on a Nikon D300 at sporting events, which is something I've really grown to love. I'm known around here for my fanatic behavior when it comes to Detroit sports teams as well as those at Oakland University.




Kelly Kozlowski, 2008


I graduated with a job offer at the Detroit Free Press. It was a college grad's dream: working on the web desk, covering everything from weather reports to Bon Jovi while learning from some of the city's finest journalists. During my year at the Freep, I was offered a fellowship at the Oakland University SmartZone Business Incubator, which meant a career path change. I took it and completed half of my MPA while learning the business of economic development. That job led to a position at Automation Alley, where I now work full-time as a business consultant. I'm in the process of completing my MPA at Oakland University, and my spare time is devoted to freelancing for the Detroit Free Press, Metromix, Patch and a handful of companies that contract me for business writing. I also contributed to a book due out in March 2011, but that's a very long story. Basically, the point here is that there is plenty of work out there for journalists (you just have to be hungry), OU's journalism program is solid (once you take it seriously), and the ability to write will land you job interviews and offers (how else do you think I ended up in economic development?).




Lindsey Wojcik, 2009



I moved to New York City to begin my editorial career in October 2009. I began 2010 as an editorial intern at Time Out New York magazine. I spent five months assisting editors with fact-checking and also wrote feature stories for the print and online edition. In October 2010, Jewelers' Circular Keystone magazine, a jewelry industry trade magazine, hired me as an editorial assistant. I worked with the editorial team to create news content for the website's daily newsletter, in addition to contributing to the monthly print edition. After leaving JCK, I recently became an associate editor at Pet Business magazine–a pet business trade magazine–managing and writing content for the news and new products sections of the magazine. In addition, I produce content for the weekly e-newsletter and copy edit the entire book.




Kyle Magin, 2007



I recently finished my first year with The Union newspaper in Grass Valley, Calif., where I cover county government and outdoor recreation. It’s my second stop with our parent company, Swift Communications, after starting my career with the Tahoe Bonanza and Sierra Sun newspapers in North Lake Tahoe, Nev./Calif. I’m now getting the hang of the daily newspaper grind and in my spare time started a college football blog. At the paper, we have a smaller staff than ever, and I’m always reminded that it behooves you to do more with less.







Nick Degel, 2008



My 2010 was strange in that it sort of transpired in three different phases. I spent the first third painting houses. And by painting houses I mean I literally painted an entire rental property in Farmington Hills by myself (otherwise known as the never ending job or "a snapshot of my personal Sisyphus punishment in hell"). My summer was comparatively – and a little obnoxiously – quite relaxing. Took a couple vacations. Enjoyed a lot of "me" time. September arrived and with it came law school. As I write this I'm taking a much needed break from finals as I finish up my first term at Thomas M. Cooley in Auburn Hills. It has challenged me in portions of my brain I never knew existed but I have truly enjoyed the work load and the benefits of a JD education.
Go Grizzlies!




Colleen (Miller) Campbell, 2010



As editor-in-chief at The Oakland Post, I garnered first place general excellence in our division from the Michigan Press Association along with 10 other awards including third place for an editorial I wrote, "No confidence in vote." We were also recognized as an Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker finalist for the second year in a row. I am now the online editorial assistant for Oakland University's Communication and Marketing department and a copy editor/page designer at The Oakland Press. I also graduated and got married this year!



Jeff Kranitz, 2007



I bounced around like a whirling dervish after graduation. First worked as a film publicist for the Detroit branch of a national agency. Sunny Florida was my next stop, writing TV and radio commercials for a marketing group in Fort Lauderdale. Just as my shuffleboard game was beginning to get good, I fell victim to the recession and decided to move back home and learn the broadcasting biz. Specs Howard led to an internship with the Web team at WJBK. I was offered a job during my internship, and now rotate between writing for the newscasts, publishing stories for myFOXdetroit.com and working the assignment desk. Currently putting together a demo reel, with hopes of landing a reporting job somewhere.

 

Hillary Sawchuk, 2009



Hillary is an OU journalism grad who runs an innovative website called A Drink With Chicago with co-owner Kelly Kane. Hillary and Kelly interview noteworthy Chicagoans one drink at a time, hoping to build an audience for their site using social media. "Since making Chicago our home, we have found that all it takes is one great conversation over one drink to create a long lasting friendship, change your outlook or learn something new," write Hillary and Kelly, "We have had so many of these experiences that we thought we’d start to share them as we continue getting to know the many fascinating people around our city."  Their site includes interviews and pictures with "local entrepreneurs, chefs, celebrities, socialites, artists and athletes who all love Chicago as much as [Hillary and Kelly] do."


If you're an alum, we'd love to hear from you!
Send a first-person micro-blurb to Holly Shreve Gilbert (shreve@oakland.edu).
Be sure to include the year you graduated and any professional links you'd like us to include.
We're always happy to send you updates and keep you connected.

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