Julie Hirshan Hart, 34

Digital Editor, The Laconia Daily Sun Education: Flagler College, bachelor of arts in media production and journalism, minors in pre-law and Spanish What advice do you have for other young professionals in the news industry?

Curiosity is one of the best skills you can develop. Learn as much as you can about anything and everything that interests you. Being a great journalist is about more than just writing.

Read as much as you can from a variety of sources, especially anything recommended by someone you trust. In your writing and work, be open and honest about what you know and what you don’t. In the age of misinformation, transparency goes a long way in building trust. Admit mistakes and be quick to fix them, taking the lessons learned to inform your work and help you do better the next time around. What is your favorite thing about working for a local community publication?

Connecting with readers and seeing the relationships grow is so rewarding. It’s motivating to get feedback so we can learn and improve to serve them better. Community journalism offers us an opportunity to set our newspaper apart from the mainstream media and focus on local issues that impact the lives of our readers. From school honor rolls to crime news to community fundraisers to health, we’re able to cover topics that matter to our region. With a 21-year presence in our community, I’m proud to be among a group of local businesses that support one another and lift each other up.