About

When I started college, the last thing I thought I would be doing is journalism. My freshman year was filled with chemistry lectures, biology labs and calculus homework. I planned on being a biochemist after graduation.

During my sophomore year, I picked up a copy of The Statesman, the University of Minnesota Duluth’s student newspaper. An ad called out for writers and I thought it might be a fun thing to try, so I marched into the office and filled out an application. I haven’t stopped editing, writing and photographing since.

I major in Journalism with Biology  and Chemistry minors at UMD.

I currently intern with Minnesota Public Radio this semester, where I produce video and photo stories.

I was the editor of a Duluth community newspaper called The Hillsider, until it shut down due to financial reasons. I feel I have finally found my calling in life; to be an editor, designer and web guru. I excel at newspaper editing and designing, but have become more and more proficient in new media with a thirst to learn more.

I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, French cooking and working on my design skills. I am a Mac addict, my desk looks like an Apple Store! My favorite books are the classics with a strong female lead and my favorite movies involve Juilette Binoche, Julie Delpy, Ashwarai Bachchan, Peter O’Toole and Hritik Roshan. I am a fan of strong coffee and Irish whiskey.

Duluth Type

I am currently working on a personal project called Duluth Type, a photo blog about typography in Duluth, Minnesota. Check it out, and if you want to play along, feel free to send me photos of your own Duluth Type.

Stuff Journalists Like: Winning Awards

During my time as editor-in-chief at my university newspaper, I was honored to accept a little recognition for all the hard work it takes to make a newspaper.

During the 2011 Associated Collegiate Press Best of the Midwest convention, The Statesman brought back the Best in Show prize for weekly broadsheet newspapers.

Now, I would like to say that I don’t work in journalism for the praise. I would like to say my best answer is that I do it to protect the First Amendment or for the noble art of writing. The cliche is to say that it is a calling.

But, a nice certificate on the wall doesn’t hurt.

The joy of the byline

The greatest feeling in the world is the moment the paper comes off the press. It is a moment when the story you have written is perfect. Nobody has pointed out a mistake in the copy or a blatant fact error. The rush of pride you get when you see someone reading your story, believing that they are getting some piece of knowledge for your work. Your name is forever tied to that moment in history.

The modern journalist

The future of journalism is uncertain. It is full of doubt, but also full of promise. The journalist of the future will look and act nothing like the journalist of the past. They know how to pitch, design, edit and package a story from start to finish with the social media skills to market it.

High tech and low budget, these modern Burnsteins will write because they have an unquenchable need to tell the news with a duty to their readers and a passion for the craft. Journalism isn’t a job one will simply shut off at the end of the day; it will be a 24/7 lifestyle. Journalists will burn out by the age of 27, take a few years off and try it again because they hear the call. Those who make it in this brave new world will be the best, only because that is what is expected of them. They will have the volition, creativity and tenacity to meet that expectation.

The modern journalist doesn’t do it for the paycheck, for their name in print or for a pat on the back after a job well done.

This is why I do it. There is news to tell and I want to tell it.