Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara McCaffrey.
Lara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was in my last semester at UC San Diego when I decided I wanted a career in media. My passion was realized when I started at the college’s student-run radio station, KSDT. Beyond finding a niche of individuals that I’m still friends with even today, I found that I loved the excitement of being on the air and talking to bands that came into the station for studio sessions.
I didn’t have a chance to have formal training in journalism because my degree was in Political Science and History, so I taught myself how to write. I copied the style of articles I read and wrote for anyone that would publish me. The first thing I got paid to write was a show review of FIDLAR at the Che Cafe for the San Diego Reader.
Eventually, I went to graduate school at Columbia University in New York City. This had been a moment that I was waiting for — I thought the graduate school might change the trajectory of my career. I did learn a lot while I was there but I didn’t land a fancy gig right away like my classmates. I think a large part of this was being extremely affected by my father’s death at the beginning of my program. I was so down I couldn’t be motivated enough to focus on a career.
I came back to San Diego where I struggled from a lack of opportunities and bad work environments like the now-closed KPRI 102.1 FM. It’s been a long hard road, but thanks to the improving economy and my perseverance, I’ve found a good job writing at a digital media company and have been published in San Diego CityBeat, Psychology Today, ListenSD, the Union-Tribune and more.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. I’ve dealt with personal struggles as well as career struggles. There’s a lack of people that want to pay you for creative work — whether it be writing, art or music — and a lack of opportunities.
There’s a lot of advice I might give to a woman just starting out in journalism or writing but I’ll just share a few points: 1) Be prepared to work twice as hard as a man and anyone in a non-creative field. 2) LOVE what you do, otherwise, you’re not going to get to where you want to be. 3) Be careful while reporting — i.e. don’t go into stranger’s homes without letting an editor or friend know, keep your wits about you in new locations, etc. Journalism can, unfortunately, be more dangerous for women or anyone that’s not a cis-gendered white man.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’ve written about what feels like everything under the sun. I’ve done articles on gospel churches in Harlem, interviewed Gene Simmons from KISS and written blog articles on personal finance. When I’ve been asked to write now, it’s mostly articles on arts and culture articles and, surprisingly, cannabis. I’m not really a user but I’ve found the growing industry really fascinating and have been contributing regularly to San Diego CityBeat’s CannaBeat column.
I’m not sure what sets me apart from everyone else but I think I’m more empathetic than a lot of journalists I’ve run into. I’ve seen people print things that might make a source look bad when they don’t deserve it. For example, I did a CityBeat article about the dwindling supply of DIY venues in San Diego. There were some people I knew that were doing shows in perfectly safe spaces but with questionable permitting. I didn’t print their names because I knew I’d be ruining something good just for a story. It didn’t seem right.
Of course, if there’s a source that’s a corrupt politician or something, their misdeeds need to be covered by journalists.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
To a young woman starting any sort of career, I’d say work really hard and let everyone you meet know what you’re trying to do. Networking is the best way to find new opportunities. A random acquaintance might turn out to help you in the future. I met one of my editors in a bar once and I mentioned that I’m a journalist. They emailed me later to see if I’d freelance for them and now, I write for them regularly.
Contact Info:
- Website: larakmccaffrey.com
- Email: lmccaffr [at] gmail.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LMcCaffree
Image Credit:
Lara-McCaffrey1, Rachel Frank, So We Say All
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