Communities
Katherine Gypson '05
Broadcast journalist in the nation's capitol
"A Marlboro education teaches you that everything in life is always changing and developing and leading you toward new things to learn," says Katherine. After completing her Plan of Concentration on U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan and its effect on Afghan refugees living in this country, Katherine moved to the Washington D.C. area to learn more about public policy.
She held several internships, as a writer for Voice of America, an international intelligence reporter for UPI and a public policy research assistant at The Wall Street Journal. She supported herself the same way she did through her undergraduate years, by waitressing.
"Oddly enough, waitressing gave me the ability to talk to anyone, anywhere," says Katherine. She first made contact with Afghan refugees, the subject of her Plan, as a waitress in a Greek restaurant. "You also learn a lot about observing people and their habits and reactions in a way that has really informed my work as a journalist."
Katherine earned her master's degree in journalism and public policy from American University in 2008, and started at the nonprofit America Abroad Media in the same year. She helps produce nonpartisan television programs for international distribution, primarily in the Middle East and South Asia.
"By definition, a journalist is someone who is always learning, always talking to people to discover new perspectives and writing to figure things out," says Katherine. "My job requires good organizational skills and an open, multidisciplinary attitude. I feel like I am continuing my Marlboro education every day."
"I love that my job allows me the opportunity to learn. I'm encouraged to ask questions, come up with better research and meet different people from a variety of backgrounds."