The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa hosted the SP26 Recent Graduate Panel on Feb. 20 in Sakamaki Hall, where four alumni working in Hawai’i’s media industry shared insights on transitioning from college to professional media careers.
The event aimed to help current students better understand the challenges of entering the media workforce after graduation, according to SPJ Vice President Preston Ancheta.
Ancheta expressed that hearing from former students felt different than hearing from a professor.
“It makes me feel heard,” said Ancheta. “I’m hearing from people like me.”
Panelists reflected on their experience navigating an early-career path in journalism after leaving the university, including the importance of internships and building professional networks and connections while still in college.
“From both of those jobs, I had gotten through connections that I had made, whether that’s through a club that I was in or if I was part of,” said McKenzie Kurosu, a Spring 2025 graduate and communications coordinator at Olomana Communications.
Kurosu added that speaking with mentors before applying to positions helped her better understand workplace expectations.
“And I always made sure to talk to them before and kinda get an idea of what the job was like,” she said.
Panelists also discussed how current events, such as federal budget cuts, have impacted newsroom experiences, including uncertainties about job opportunities and navigating the possibility of not receiving employment offers.
“It wasn’t as severe as I thought it was gonna be,” stated panelist and Hawai’i Public Radio news producer Emma Caires.
She added that one of her first experiences on the field involved seeing how much the community valued local journalism.
“…my first real experience with the job was seeing the community outreach, and seeing how well we are appreciated and trusted in Hawai’i. It was incredible,” she said.
Caires also emphasized the importance of confidence in entering the workforce.
“I feel like part of being a journalist is also being able to banter without being disrespectful. And so all my colleagues are like, have confidence in yourself,” said Caires. “You’re getting offered for a reason, you’re here for a reason, they obviously want you.”
Panelists also discussed the challenges of navigating professional expectations before graduation. Alyssa Salcedo, one of the panelists and a former Civil Beat & FLUX Hawai’i editorial intern, emphasized the importance of well-being as graduation approaches.
“I think it’s really important to understand how to take this at your own pace and acknowledge your limits,” Salcedo said.
She added, “You’re not robots. You have your own flares to work with, you have your own struggles to work with, and it’s going to affect your work.”
Alani Calderon, a morning producer at KITV, also shared her experience entering the competitive media landscape in Hawai’i.
“People are just like you,” Calderon said, “It’s universal to feel nervous, so it’s important not to be too hard on yourself.”
Calderon also shared the advice she would give her freshman self as she began her journalism journey.
“Keep surrounding yourself with people who uplift you and continue doing what you’re passionate about,” Calderon said. “You may not realize it at first, but you’ll become more passionate over time, and you’ll grow to love what you do– and help others love what they do too.”
Organizers said events like this will continue to provide UH students with opportunities to learn from recent graduates, to better understand the transition from academic practices to the competitive field of the island’s media.
