On Thursday, our group met with Andy Nystrom, the editor of The Bothell-Kenmore Reporter. This meeting provided valuable insights into the professional world of journalism. After being a journalist for over twenty years, Nystrom was the perfect candidate for learning about this career. This is due to the fact that he has gained extensive experience throughout this period of time. Nystrom’s career began after he graduated from San Jose State and started to write for various news papers. Since then, he has worked for papers such as The Los Altos Daily and The Bothell-Kenmore Reporter. During the interview, he gave advice on how to be a good reporter and what it takes to make it in the competitive field of journalism. According to Nystrom, “there are a lot of highs and lows, but you have to make it work with what hand your dealt.”
Over the years, Nystrom has written many stories, but his most memorable one was when he interviewed celebrity Mariel Hemingway when she came to Bothell for a book signing. Stories like these do not come along every day, but according to Nystrom, “when they do you have to dig your heals in to get the story, because this is not an opportunity to miss”. Despite gripping stories like this one, The Bothell-Kenmore Reporter will be downsizing and moving its location to Totem Lake in order to share office space with The Kirkland Reporter. This may change the dynamic of the paper, but Nystrom is staying positive saying “you just have to roll with the changes.” At the end of the interview, my group was able to leave with a new perspective and optimistic outlook on journalism.
