The Asian American Journalists Association, Los Angeles, Latino Journalists: CCNMA, and California State University, Los Angeles, partnered up for the 2nd annual Randy Hagihara News Coaching Day to teach young journalists how to break into the industry. 

On Sept. 21, 2024, mentors and mentees from the news industry gathered at the Cal State LA’s library community room to discuss how early-career journalists can break into the business, how to overcome challenges inherent in being a journalist, and the different jobs that exist within each newsroom.  

The event included two 30-minute one-on-one coaching sessions pairing each mentee with mentors who are working on platforms or beats they’re interested in. Lunch was served right before a panel that included speakers Jill Cowan, a national reporter for the New York Times; Sid Garcia, a reporter for KABC-TV; and Hector Becerra, managing editor of the Los Angeles Times. 

The News Coaching Day is in honor of Randy Hagihara, an L.A. Times editor and recruiter who grew up in Boyle Heights, served in the Air Force, and attended a local community college. Well-known for his straightforward and no-nonsense approach to mentoring, Hagihara spent countless hours focusing on young journalists who might otherwise have been overlooked and encouraged all to continue learning and improving themselves. Behind his “stern” face was a big heart and a man who shared endless, happy memories that left his mentees reminiscing their favorite stories. 

After a brief introduction of Hagihara by Craig Matsuda, a media consultant and former L.A. Times editor, the mentors and mentees broke into pairs to chat and the mentors reviewed resumes, reels, websites and clips and provided advice.

Jenna Birdwell, a participating mentee, said the experience was inspiring and rewarding. She said she gained insight into the different career paths possible and learned how broad the journalism industry actually is. 

Cindy Chang, the city editor at the L.A. Times, who helped organize the event, said, “It was wonderful to see the mentors sharing their wisdom with the next generation of journalists. The experience of the mentors, from TV breaking news reporting to investigative reporting to podcasting to beat reporting to high-level newsroom management, was pretty amazing. We had a good number who were mentored by Randy Hagihara, went on to great careers and are now giving back, not just at this event, but every day working with young journalists in their newsrooms. This event truly carried on Randy’s work.” 

Following the two 30-minute mentoring sessions was lunch and a panel moderated by Julie Patel, AAJA-LA’s president, an investigative reporter and the head of Cal State LA’s Journalism Program.

The three panelists encouraged young journalists to break into the industry and to make their own name with plenty of advice form their own careers, including these tips:

• Write, write, write, write. You have to work hard to become a great writer – not a good writer, but a great writer.
• Earn the audience’s trust by being transparent and covering issues fairly and accurately.
• Pitch your own stories instead of making an editor constantly come up with ideas for you.
• Be humble, be open to learning from edits provided and be a good colleague. 
• Do not be a person that just says “no” to others’ ideas and to requests from editors. 
• Be mindful of what boundaries make sense to you.
• The story is not about you – you are just the storyteller and someone who needs to capture what a diverse range of people are saying.

By stepping outside their comfort zone, young journalists can set themselves apart from the group and find unique perspectives. They must continue to pursue their passions and avoid messages that make them feel they “do not belong.” 

Sid Garcia, a reporter at KABC-TV, said, “When somebody tells you you don’t belong, that means you do, because now, you’re a threat.” 

Mentees and mentors interviewed said they thought the News Coaching Day was a success because many mentees left feeling hopeful and ready to tackle new challenges and several said they enjoyed the lunch, conversations and relaxed atmosphere.

“Randy’s legacy is the journalists he mentored and I’m honored to play a small part in ensuring that legacy continues through this impactful annual news coaching event,” Patel Liss said.

Rachel Uranga, Transportation and Mobility Reporter for the L.A. Times and president of CCNMA, added, “Journalism is a tough profession to break into. It takes talent, grit and often luck. CCNMA is proud to have partnered with AAJA to bring some of the best in the business with upcoming talent. It was heartening to see new connections being forged and we hope those ties will strengthen over the years. We are committed to uplifting new voices and helping carry on the legacy of the trailblazers that made so many careers possible.”

Noelle Villasenor, a participant from the Annenberg School of Journalism, said she learned a lot and some of that can be summarized in three words: “Just do it.”