Kaitlin Benz

Hello!

I am a second-year student at Berkeley Journalism diving deep into the world of long-form audio documentary storytelling.

In my first semester at Berkeley, I was part of a class covering the San Francisco Police Department. I published 10 stories, worked as part of the crew on three videos and dabbled in interactive storytelling for my final project. A link to my stories here: https://missionlocal.org/author/kbenz/.

In the summer between my first and second years I interned with CBS Interactive as a tech reporter for CNET. I’m currently employed as a production assistant at the Center for Investigative Reporting’s podcast, “Reveal.”

Outside of school, I’ve worked with the Berkeley Advanced Media Institute to organize the Norwegian Innovation Media Tour Summit last spring. I am always available as a freelance reporter, transcriptionist, tape-syncher, audio engineer, etc.

I’m part of Berkeley Journalism’s leadership committee and a co-chair of our school’s NLGJA+ chapter. I’m a national member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Public Radio Exchange (PRX), Association of Independents in Radio (AIR), Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Broadcast Education Association (BEA), and Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS.)

In my free time I love to cook ambitious meals, try new restaurants in San Francisco, play tennis, spend too much time on Twitter, and continue to use the Oxford comma even though it’s against the rules.

EDUCATION

  • UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Master of Journalism, audio emphasis. Degree expected May 2019.

  • Metropolitan State University, Denver CO. B.A. in Journalism, print emphasis. Degree awarded May 2017.

EMPLOYERS

  • Production Assistant, "Reveal" from the Center for Investigative Reporting
    Oct. 2018

  • Editorial Intern, CNET - CBS Interactive
    May 2018 - Aug. 2018

  • General Assignment Reporter, Mission Local
    Aug. 2017 - Dec. 2017

  • Technology Editor, Metrosphere Magazine
    Jan. 2017 - Aug. 2017

  • Copy Editor, The Metropolitan
    Jan. 2016 - June 2016

AWARDS & HONORS

  • 2nd Place, "Best Regularly Scheduled Audio Programming"
    College Broadcasters Inc.

  • Elected delegate at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism leadership committee (TLC)

  • UC Berkeley Dean's Merit Fellowship Recipient (2017)

  • SPJ Mark of Excellence award for "Best Student Magazine" (2017)

  • Gene Amole Endowed Scholarship (2016)

  • University of Northern Colorado Provost Scholarship (2013)

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

  • Society of Professional Journalists (2016 - Present)

  • Public Radio Exchange, (Present)

  • AIR Media (Present)

  • Women in Media, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism (2017 - Present)

  • Broadcast Education Association (2016 - Present)

REPORTING INTERESTS

Business, Criminal Justice, Food, Gender/Sexuality, Health, Investigative, Politics, Science, Social Issues, Technology

MEDIA PLATFORMS

Audio Journalism