Por Jaijongkit, a recent graduate of CU Boulder’s journalism master’s program, joined Boulder Reporting Lab last week as a summer reporting fellow. Jaijongkit will cover local government, climate happenings, arts and culture events, general assignment stories and more. The fellowship is supported through a grant from the Colorado Media Project’s Advancing Equity in Local News program. Here are five questions with Jaijongkit:
Where are you from and how long have you been in Boulder?
I grew up in Bangkok, Thailand before moving to Atlanta to study creative writing. I eventually picked up studying environmental science as well and was looking for a way to merge the two disciplines. After five years in Atlanta, I moved to Boulder after learning about the Center of Environmental Journalism at CU Boulder. I recently finished my master’s degree in journalism, so I’ve been here two years and I hope to spend more time in the Front Range.
What drew you to study journalism and want to be a journalist?
I actually hated my first foray into journalism in high school. I think I was too locked into writing fiction and felt that non-fiction writing was too different and that I wasn’t super interested in the politics of my tiny secondary school. It didn’t help that the school paper had just been formed so guidance felt limited.
But in the last semester of my undergrad, I gave journalism another shot and fell in love with learning more about the people in my community and telling their stories. At this point, I was looking for a purpose to channel my passion for creative writing. I’ve tried other forms of writing gigs like SEO or content writing but they just don’t give me the same satisfaction. I just really like telling stories. I love tinkering with words and structuring ideas so I want to use my passions and skills to do some good.
What interested you in spending at least part of your summer with BRL?
I’m looking to build a journalism career in the Front Range. BRL, being a news source I frequently consume that produces high-quality journalism, seemed like the best place to start. I also feel very green as a journalist, so I am looking to learn from some local experts to learn some best practices and get some guidance before I strike out on my own.
What are you hoping to get out of your experience?
I really want the experience of working in a local newsroom. It seems to be a type of journalism that clicks with me so I want to fully understand what it’s like to be covering local stories and government and to juggle multiple deadlines and beats. I also want to build a collection of stories that I can be proud of that represents who I am as a journalist.
What are your favorite places in Boulder and favorite things to do?
I spend a lot of time in the Community Plaza Shopping Center area, be it grocery shopping, getting a bite to eat or treating myself to some ice cream. I also enjoy my time at the Pearl Street Mall (especially that Momo food truck) and stopping by the stores. I enjoy trying local bites and restaurants and I’m always on the hunt for more Thai food spots. In my spare time, I can be found working on the fantasy novel brewing in my head, making a home-cooked meal or taking too many photos of the kitties in my apartment. And if I really need a break, I disappear into the mountains for at least half a day with my partner.