Grant Smith

I am an intern on the the Journal Sentinel's Projects & Investigations team, working on computer-assisted enterprise and watchdog stories and picking up general assignment stories as time permits.

Computer-assisted reporter Jan. 2008 – April 2008

Gannett News Service Washington, D.C.

As a member of Gannett's six-person computer-assisted reporting team, I worked on Environmental Protection Agency data for a three-month project on sewer system enforcement and infrastructure failure. The final product, a package of stories, graphics and a searchable database, appeared in USA Today, the Nashville Tennessean and the Indianapolis Star. I also assisted other reporteres with their data projects, developed a searchable database for the GNS Intranet in addition to other newsroom tasks. This internship at Gannett was the professional portion of my final master's project.

Data analyst Aug. 2007 – Dec. 2007

National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting Columbia, Mo.

I worked in the database library, maintaining various government databases and fielding calls from journalists across the country who needed a database or help with their analysis. I compiled a new database for the library and helped update the handbook for Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data analysis and reporting. I also completed GIS analysis for a television station interested in sex offender residences located near bus stops.

Enterprise Reporter Aug. 2007 – Dec. 2007

The Columbia Missourian Columbia, Mo.

I worked on long-term reporting projects that required thorough research, computer-assisted reporting and collaboration with other reporters. I also kept a weekly blog about my reporting activities and our ongoing discussions about how to produce higher quality journalism. In addition, every third week I wrote the newspaper’s Five Ideas column, in which the newspaper solicits reader input and debate about controversial issues covered that week.

Citizen journalism coordinator Aug. 2007 – Dec. 2007

MyMissourian Columbia, Mo.

As a member of the K12 Education beat, I was part of an effort to increase coordination of Columbia Missourian and citizen journalism education coverage. I designed the Schoolhouse Talk blog, which is intended to be a K12 information center for residents. It allows readers to submit their own content to supplement reporter-generated content. I also designed a blog for a contributor on the art of cobbling, and I solicited citizen contributions on a variety of subjects.

Assistant city editor May 2007 – Aug. 2007

The Columbia Missourian Columbia, Mo.

My primary function was to collaborate daily with student reporters on the higher education and faith beat to develop their reporting and writing skills. I helped them with story idea generation and attended budget and beat meetings. During my city desk shifts, I assigned breaking news stories and edited stories from each beat for the upcoming edition. This position required me to post news stories on the Web, and also issue news bursts on the Web and to subscribers’ cell phones.

News reporter, copy editor/designer July 2004 – June 2006

The Dominion Post Morgantown, W.Va.

I reported full time on higher education and Medicare, but was originally hired as a copy editor, proofing copy and designing all pages of the news section and some lifestyles pages. This also included producing a daily wire budget and proofing the final product as it rolled off the press. Before moving to full-time reporting I wrote news stories on the side as time permitted.

Managing editor Sept. 2000 – May 2004

The Daily Athenaeum Morgantown, W.Va.

I was responsible for management of the all-student newsroom staff, which produced an award-winning daily newspaper. I was also a columnist and news writer covering departmental and university administration beats. I also held the positions of news editor, associate news editor, and campus calendar & comics editor.

Bureau reporter/intern Sept. 2002 – Dec. 2002 and May 2003 – Aug. 2003

The Charleston Daily Mail Charleston, W.Va.

As an intern beat reporter, I covered government and anything of interest that happened in a neighboring county. During my time as a bureau reporter stationed in Morgantown I filed stories about events and people that were of interest to the entire state.

Education

Master of Arts – Journalism Aug. 2006 – May 2008

Missouri School of Journalism

Columbia, Mo.

Cumulative 3.6 GPA
My course of study was newspaper reporting with an emphasis on computer-assisted and investigative reporting. My final semester was spent at Gannett News Service analyzing EPA data and learning how to manage databases on the Web as tools for readers.
As a teaching assistant for a Principles of American Journalism course for two semesters (Aug. 2006-May 2007), I was responsible for grading tests and assignments. I also helped students review for exams and administered an online discussion board where students discuss current class topics and problems with journalism.
I held one copy editing shift per week at The Columbia Missourian as part of a newspaper editing and design course from Jan. 2007-May 2007.
I completed the Investigative Reporters and Editors GIS Mapping Boot Camp in August 2007.

Bachelor of Science – Journalism Aug. 2000 – May 2004

Minor – International/comparative politics West Virginia University

Morgantown, W.Va.

Contributing author to “Cancer Stories: Lessons in Love, Loss & Hope,” WVU Press
Society of Professional Journalists student chapter president fall 2002-spring 2004
Member, School of Journalism Student Fees Committee
Economics of Cuba – For this class I traveled and studied in Cuba. Upon my return, I published a first-person account in The Charleston Daily Mail.
Edgar Maya Model Organization of American States delegate Washington, D.C., 2004
Independent travel – I trekked across Guatemala with a friend during a holiday break. We arrived two days after a run-off election, in which the former military dictator was shut out.
Conference attendance – Society of Professional Journalists regional conference, Morgantown, W.Va., April 2005; SPJ region IV conference, Cleveland, Ohio, April 2003; SPJ national conference, Tampa, Fla., Sept. 2003; Military Reporters and Editors, Washington, D.C., Nov. 2002; Investigative Reporters and Editors, Charleston, W.Va., Sept. 2002; Institute of Humane Studies, Arlington, Va., July 2002/Feb. 2003; College Media Advisers, Dallas, Texas, Nov. 2003

Skills

Computer-assisted reporting and database analysis with SQL, SPSS, Excel, Access and FoxPro, and GIS mapping with ArcView
Currently studying PHP/MySQL Web applications
Reporting/writing, copy editing, pagination, design
Photoshop, InDesign, Quark Express, Coyote, Freehand, Falcon
Microsoft and Macintosh proficiency

Awards and Honors

Kearns Fellowship – I covered for The Charleston Daily Mail the opening of the first Holocaust museum in Eastern Europe while in Budapest, Hungary.
The Daily Athenaeum – I earned the Best Reporter Award (fall 2001-spring 2002), Publisher’s Teammate Award (fall 2003-spring 2004), Best All-Around Employee award (2002), Senior Service Award (2004).

Additional activities

Freedom of Information Act auditor for the West Virginia Press Association, 2005
Peace Corps Trainee – Madagascar, 2004
Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Scout, lifeguard, senior patrol leader and junior assistant scoutmaster, quartermaster, assistant senior patrol leader

References are available upon request.