Kami Rieck

I attended the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) convention in Seattle. Finding a community in journalism feels like a prerequisite for thriving in this industry. It’s much easier to manage uncertainties, fatigue, and other challenges when surrounded by generous, brilliant, and thoughtful humans. My experience at the AAJA convention has shown me that ongoing efforts to build genuine relationships can lead to lifelong friends, mentors, and a support system that extends beyond the newsroom.

I gained valuable insights from a workshop focused on artificial intelligence for journalists. The session explored how various AI tools can assist with research, workflows, and processes. While many of us have legitimate concerns about the risks AI poses to accuracy, biases, and fairness, there are also concrete opportunities to leverage it to our advantage. This is what I learned during the workshop.

I would not have been able to attend the conference in Seattle without the support of the Tiffany Shackelford Foundation. Since finishing university, I have formed my closest friendships and found valuable mentors through the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). Nurturing these connections has enabled me to explore future opportunities in the journalism industry. It has also inspired me to think critically about the barriers to entering this field and to identify concrete steps I can take to help overcome those barriers, including providing mentorship. I feel motivated to continue cultivating this community!