If you had asked me what career I planned to pursue five years ago, I would have probably answered that I wanted to be an archaeologist of the Indiana Jones variety.
(No, really: If you don’t believe me on this, we can attach a standby photo of 17-year-old Charlotte sporting cargo pants, caked in mud, and rifling through a five-foot oyster shell mound at an 18th-century South Carolina plantation.)
Something drew me to the idea of digging—literally and figuratively—for snippets of human life to piece together a bigger picture. During my eight months at The Dispatch, I’ve had countless opportunities to do just that—unearthing the broader perspectives behind global topics ranging from sanctions-evading Russian oligarchs to Taliban violence in Kabul.
I’ve also written on issues closer to home and heart, like the plight of the last remaining Gullah Geechee community in my state of Georgia. As coastal property values skyrocket in the island community of Hog Hammock, people like Sharon Grovner—whose ancestors have survived more than two centuries on the land to which they were once bound—are losing their familial home and heritage to county taxation. The Dispatch gave me the resources and the freedom to tell their story, in great detail.
I launched my career in journalism my very first semester of college, when I thought my budding opinions about the world were just too valuable to withhold from my fellow students. But I quickly learned that behind every op-ed worth its salt are hours upon hours of research and expertise. That realization, at least, has served me well as I pursue reporting.
But broadly speaking, I owe my personal growth in this industry to an all-star slate of mentors here at The Dispatch. From Steve, who shares my penchant for all things foreign policy; to Sarah and David, who took up the arduous task of coaching my legal writing into proficiency; to Jonah, whose written wit and acuity I hope to one day emulate—I wouldn’t be where I am today without the selfless leadership of all of my colleagues. And let’s not forget Rachael, who works tirelessly to hone in on the individual strengths of each writer on our team through the editing process.
The Dispatch has newsletters to fit any array of interests. Subscribe for The Morning Dispatch, where I and a team of dedicated writers cover the country’s biggest news stories five days a week. If you’re looking for on-the-mark congressional reporting, be sure to check out Haley Byrd Wilt’s new Uphill newsletter. And you can’t miss Sarah Isgur’s The Sweepfor invaluable campaign coverage from an insider. More invested in foreign policy? Thomas Joscelyn’s weekly Vital Interests is for you.
Now more than ever, readers deserve fact-based media with integrity. In the age of fake news and clickbait, The Dispatch works tirelessly to deliver reporting, analysis and commentary anchored in diligent research and compassion toward the subjects we cover. By becoming a paying member today, you’ll join a community of readers and writers with diverse viewpoints but a similar commitment to respectful and fruitful dialogue.
Please note that we at The Dispatch hold ourselves, our work, and our commenters to a higher standard than other places on the internet. We welcome comments that foster genuine debate or discussion—including comments critical of us or our work—but responses that include ad hominem attacks on fellow Dispatch members or are intended to stoke fear and anger may be moderated.
With your membership, you only have the ability to comment on The Morning Dispatch articles. Consider upgrading to join the conversation everywhere.