Editor’s note: You can support student journalists like Peter Rauterkus by donating to the Reveille fundraiser here until April 14. You can also participate in our giveback with Krispy Kreme here.
I remember walking into Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the 2022 Southeastern Conference Championship Game thinking to myself, “How did I get here?”
Almost two years later, my media career has taken me to New York City for the Heisman Trophy festivities, Lionel Messi’s first road game in MLS, four college football field stormings and countless other unforgettable experiences.
None of those experiences are possible without the Reveille.
I joined the Reveille in the second semester of my freshman year in January 2021 and have worked my way up from sports stringer to sports editor.
In that time, not only did I gain amazing professional experience that helps me as I look for my first full-time journalism job, it introduced me to many great people.
Few things bring you closer to your peers than meeting at 4 a.m. to drive five hours to Starkville, Mississippi, only to drive back the same evening.
As I’ve talked to older professionals for advice throughout my young career, one thing I’ve always heard is that there’s nothing like working with your classmates. As a graduating senior, I can firmly attest to that.
Not only that, getting the experience of covering LSU athletics as a student gives you a valuable network. From interviewing legendary college coaches to making connections with esteemed, professional journalists, I’ve met no shortage of amazing people from being in the media space as a student.
The people I’ve met and things I’ve been able to do have given me three and a half years that I’ll never forget.
In an era of constant change in journalism and the media, support for student media is more important than ever. The built-in opportunities at a place like LSU go without saying, and support for student media allows developing student journalists to fully take advantage of those opportunities.
For me, my time at the Reveille has taught me so many valuable lessons. There’s no more valuable learning tool than putting what you’re taught in class into practice.
Not only did I get to cover many of the biggest events in college sports as a member of the Reveille, my work opened many doors for me in my career.
Last year, I was named a member of the Sports Journalism Institute’s Class of 2023, which helped me land an internship with The Dallas Morning News.
That experience gave me the opportunity to cover the greatest soccer player of all time, interview the U.S. Men’s National Soccer coach and cover the World Series winning Texas Rangers for three games.
Getting that kind of professional experience while still in college is no small feat, and it wouldn’t have been possible without The Reveille.
Now, as I prepare to graduate and enter the professional journalism world, my experience covering LSU with the Reveille gives me a huge advantage.
The LSU community prides itself on being the very best. It’s truly one of a kind in the way it supports everything that wears purple and gold.
With that said, why not student journalism?
