Columbia Journalism School recently established the Master of Science in Data Journalism, a three-semester program that provides students with the hands-on training that is needed to tell deeply reported data-driven stories in the public interest. It was created to educate a new generation of journalists who can meet newsrooms' demands for reporters who know how to find, collect, and analyze data for storytelling, presentation and investigative reporting.
What is it like to be a student in the M.S. in Data Journalism program? We spoke with Lisa Kim, a member of the Class of 2021, about her experiences at Columbia. A graduate of Yonsei University, Kim previously worked as a prime-time Seoul-based weathercaster for Arirang TV before joining The Korea Herald, South Korea's English-language newspaper. A recipient of the 2020 Nikkei-Columbia Scholarship, she is currently a reporter for Financial Times Ignites Asia.
Please read our Q&A below to learn about Lisa Kim's education in the M.S. in Data Journalism Program.
What inspired you to apply to Columbia Journalism School?
I really wanted to hone the basics of journalism as well as learn how to code and how to use data to report. I was in my third year as a reporter at a local newsroom in Seoul when I visited New York City in 2019. And on that trip, I did a school tour with Associate Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Christine Souders, and I asked her if I could sit in one of the journalism classes, and she coordinated a time for me to observe a data journalism class taught by Professor Mark Hansen. Before that school tour, I really wanted to come to Columbia, but I wasn't sure if it would be the right decision - because it's a big decision. But after the school tour and sitting in on Mark Hansen's class, I left the building thinking that I had to have to come here.
What led you to apply specifically to the M.S. in Data Journalism Program?
When I applied for the M.S. in Data Journalism program, I didn't know what to expect, but the course description said that basically anyone who could turn on a computer could apply. What I didn't know at the time when I applied was that the more I did in-depth reporting, the more I wanted to learn the skills that were precisely described in the M.S. Data course description. Even though I didn't fully know what to expect, I knew what I wanted to learn. It's one of the best decisions I've made in my life.
What was it like starting the program with the Reporting Module, which sends students out into New York City to find stories?
For the reporting class, I had Ruth Padawer as my professor, and the class touched on exactly what I wanted to learn coming into the program. The class begins from the very basics of news reporting, which was a good opportunity for me to improve the ABCs of straight reporting. We were also given beats, and that was a good way for me, as an international student, to ease into New York City. I think the reporting class was a really good way for data students to kick off the three semesters.
What are the most important skills you gained at Columbia?
I came to Columbia with two big goals. The first was to learn data reporting, and the second was to learn how to use data to write beautiful stories that flow very well, and are easy to read. And I'm very happy because I think I learned both skills. With data, I learned how to code. The program does a really good job at making sure the students understand the very basics of coding. When you know the basics, you could build on that - and even data scientists and data analysts who've been coding for a living for years, they tell me that they are also on the internet looking for answers, they're always on Stack Overflow. And so it's always a work-in-progress, and the J-School does a really good job making sure that its students know the very basics so that they can build on top of that as they wish.
How did you choose your elective Seminar & Production class from all the available options?
I chose to take "Narrative Writing" with Professor Kevin Coyne because, like I mentioned, I wanted to learn how to write beautiful stories, and I totally, totally loved his class. After the first class, I knew I was in the right place. I think the stories that I remember as a reader are very easy to follow. I thought there's got to be tips that could help me be a better writer, and Kevin's class taught me them. I can't pinpoint one thing that I learned, but just the whole semester was planned in a way that if students do the readings and participate in the discussions, then they would leave the class as better writers.
What was your experience in the M.S. Data Journalism Program's "Writing With Data" class?
I took both Professor Samir Patel's “Writing with Data” class and Professor Kevin Coyne’s "Narrative Writing" class in the second semester and they were super, super helpful. Taking one class improved my performance in the other class. Samir’s class taught me that data reporting isn't about throwing around large numbers. Instead, it’s about knowing the data and letting the data fade in the background and telling the readers the important numbers - so you're not peppering your stories with numbers, but only highlighting numbers that are vital for readers to know.
What was it like working with Columbia Journalism School's Career Development office?
I'm super grateful for the Career Development team. Everything that I did, I learned from the Career Development office, and as an international student who hadn’t had any experience in an American newsroom, I was told by the staff that I would probably have to do one or two internships or fellowships to show that I could work in an American newsroom, so I was ready to do that. But I got one full-time position offer and my current contract and other job offers, completely thanks to what I learned from the Career Development team.
What advice do you have for new Columbia Journalism School students?
For new M.S. Data students, I would say stay focused. Try to understand all the new ideas and concepts through taking baby steps by understanding one concept at a time. If we learned three different concepts, I started by trying to understand one concept and then the second concept and then the third concept, rather than trying to push myself to understand all three concepts at once.
What advice do you have for people who are considering applying to Columbia?
I definitely think people should apply if they are determined to pursue a career in journalism and to use the skills they gain to report in the public interest - because it's a big decision and investment for anyone. Applying was one of the best decisions that I made, and I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to study here and to be a part of the J-School family. I think that's the same for people in the other J-School programs too - you build really tight connections with each other through the challenges everyone faces together. It’s like everyone I met at the J-School are amazing as journalists and as human beings.
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