Ms. Kim Smith ’15 served as Managing Editor of the King Street Chronicle during her senior year at Sacred Heart Greenwich.  Following her graduation from Sacred Heart, Ms. Smith attended the University of Richmond.  As an undergraduate student, she contributed articles to the University of Richmond’s online publication, The Collegian.  She graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Journalism.  Now a Doctor of Psychology candidate at Stanford University, Ms. Smith continues utilizing the media skills she learned in the Newsroom to pursue her academic and professional goals.

What is the most important skill that you learned during your time on the KSC Staff?

“The most important skill I learned during my time on the KSC Staff was effective communication.  I learned that a successful story depends not only on what is said but also on how it is said.  Moreover, I learned that a journalist’s communication skills extend far beyond written communication.  A journalist must effectively communicate when interviewing sources, collaborating with colleagues, and meeting with editors.  My time on the KSC Staff allowed me to practice verbal and written communication skills in many scenarios, which I believe prepared me well for my future journalism endeavors.” 

How have you continued your interest in journalism after graduating from Sacred Heart?

“After graduating from Sacred Heart, I attended the University of Richmond and double majored in Psychology and Journalism.  In addition to writing for the university newspaper, I had the opportunity to provide coverage on the Virginia General Assembly to small news outlets in the state.  This position included attending government and school board meetings, conducting record searches, and cold-calling legislators.  Although challenging, this was an invaluable experience that allowed me to build upon the skills I developed when writing for the KSC.  After graduation, I decided to pursue a career in clinical psychology and began a doctoral program at the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium.  While my busy schedule has prevented me from seeking out journalism opportunities in the area, I have been surprised at how often I use journalism skills in my clinical work.  For example, I must be concise and direct when documenting my patient’s progress.  I also must be sure to remain entirely unbiased in my documentation, using direct quotes and phrases such as “the patient reported…” and “the patient expressed…”  I have even noticed similarities between journalistic interview techniques and clinical interview techniques.  In the future, I would love to combine my interests in psychology and journalism and perhaps report on news in the psychology field.” 

What piece of advice would you give to the current and future KSC Staff?

“One piece of advice that I would give to the current and future KSC Staff is to push yourself out of your comfort zone.  This might mean taking on a story that feels like a big commitment, interviewing a source that feels intimidating, or producing a video to go along with your article for the first time.  While it may seem anxiety-provoking, you are currently in the perfect environment for learning and trying new things.  When I think back on my time on the KSC Staff, I remember the times that I challenged myself and tried something new.  I strongly believe that these experiences are what allowed me to be confident in my journalism skills in college.  Over time, I have also learned that being slightly uncomfortable as a journalist often means you are doing something right.” 

Featured Image by Claire Moore ’22