Katie Landan '09

More about Katie

  • Lives in: New York, NY
  • Field: Community News Division, Los Angeles Times
  • Major(s): Communications Arts and Science

There’s a new face in The Big Apple.

Katie Landan, a May 2009 Calvin alumna with a communication arts and sciences/rhetoric major and a minor in writing, landed her dream job as a news editor with foxnews.com in New York City.

As you would guess, it wasn’t luck but hard work that propelled Katie into this opportunity. “Overachiever” aptly describes her time at Calvin. Katie was an assistant features editor and staff writer for Chimes, an editorial intern at Grand Rapids Magazine, a freelance writer for On the Town Magazine, a news intern at Fox News Channel’s Chicago bureau, and (most importantly!) a student writer for Calvin’s communication and marketing department.

Through her role as news editor, started in May 2010, she writes and copyedits stories for foxnews.com in addition to publishing content on the website. Before landing this full-time gig, she had been paying her dues as a freelance reporter for foxnews.com.

Has Katie felt well prepared by her Calvin education? Absolutely! She says, “A liberal arts education teaches you how to think critically. Calvin's high academic standards honed my work ethic and prepared me for the pressures of network news. News media is competitive and chaotic at times, but my Calvin education has me grounded in pursuing high ethical standards in my field and beyond.” Additionally, Katie praises Calvin faculty for serving a critical role in her development. “Personal relationships with professors are completely available to Calvin students and have helped me gauge my career path. Calvin professors are open and encouraging and help reveal what students are capable of.”

What advice would Katie give to current students? She encourages students to pursue several internships. She advises students to “get an internship whether you know exactly what you want to do or you haven't a clue: it’s a great way to land a job in your field or decide you hate a field. Calvin offers internships in many disciplines. Take advantage of what Calvin has to offer, consult with career development on your resume, and grab coffee with your professor to get their input about the professional world. My internship supervisor ended up being my mentor.”

Katie is settling into her new life in one of the world’s busiest cities. She remarks that “the rhythm of life in Manhattan is astounding, no cliché describes the hurried pace. The city is the Mecca of countless industries, where dreams are fulfilled, and possibilities abound; to me, there is nothing more exciting than that."

Update: Katie now works for the Los Angeles Times’ Community News division.

Written by Laurie Lemmen, posted June 2010

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