By Nyah N’Chelle Wright-Walker | BG Falcon Media intern
When Carrie Blackmore joined The BG News her freshman year at Bowling Green State University, she didn’t know it would set the stage for a career filled with storytelling, deadlines, and impact.
“It was very informative for my career going forward,” she recalled. Over her four years at BGSU, she wore many hats including reporter, news editor, designer and eventually editor-in-chief her senior year.
After graduating in 2005, Blackmore went on to work for different newspapers including Middletown Journal and The Cincinnati Enquirer, covering everything from local politics to homicides and breaking news. Her hard work and dedication paid off in one of her major accomplishments when she became a part of The Enquirer’s investigative team, leading data collection for the Pulitzer Prize-winning series Seven Days of Heroin in 2017, which gave an in-depth look at the opioid epidemic in Cincinnati.
Today, Blackmore is mainly a freelance magazine writer, where she continues to use her storytelling skills to make an impact. She encourages students interested in journalism to get hands-on experience before jumping into freelance work.
“Before going straight to freelance work, join news organizations to learn the ropes,” she advised. “It takes dedication but it’s really worth it if you have a passion for it.”She credits mentors like Bob Bortel, who led The BG News during her time at BGSU and offered constant support, as well as Kelly Taylor, who played a key role in her academic and career growth. Though journalism can be grueling and full of challenges, Blackmore said she and her colleagues always find their way back because, no matter the obstacle, journalism always draws them back in.