Local Reporters Audrey Gomez and Jesse Skoubo Return to LBCC

The LBCC journalism program has served as a jump-start for the careers of journalists that fill the pages of local papers. Audrey Gomez of the Lebanon Express and Jesse Skoubo of the Albany Democrat-Herald and Corvallis Gazette-Times are two of them.

Gomez graduated from the journalism program in 2011. While working as a copy editor for The Commuter she received word of an open position at the Lebanon Express. She applied and was hired as a reporter. She has since been promoted to Editor-in-Chief.

Skoubo worked as a photo editor for The Commuter in 2006 while completing his sociology degree. In a photojournalism class he was attending, a guest speaker from the Gazette-Times mentioned an internship for a photographer. Skoubo wasted no time to apply and was hired. He now works full-time, half his week for the GT and half for the Democrat-Herald.

Gomez and Skoubo recently visited The Commuter, their old stomping ground, and spoke to current Commuters about their past experience at LBCC and their present positions.

"You guys are far more advanced than we used to be," Skoubo said.

Since his time, The Commuter office has been updated with new Macintosh computers, fancy programs, and several added work stations. But, some things have remained the same.

Gomez commented about the camaraderie of helping each other and working as a team. She feels she carried those values over to the atmosphere at the Lebanon Express.

"Not all newsrooms are like that."

Gomez is responsible not only for overall production of the paper and covering the city beat, but also editorials. Many reporters don't have the opportunity to voice their opinions, so her position is unique.

"I think that it's an outlet of all the things I left out of the news."

For Skoubo, having a portfolio ready for employers was important for him as he prepared for his career. His time at The Commuter helped with that but also gave him a glimpse of life in a newsroom.

"It helped me get my feet under me to get the pace of a real newsroom."

Both Gomez and Skoubo have continued learning on the job. Each offered valuable advice for the students aspiring to follow in their footsteps.

Much of the news Gomez writes involves meetings with the police, city council, and school districts. Knowing the Oregon Record System codes and what information is considered public information was her advice for the future reporters. Questions to sensitive material often remain unanswered unless a reporter knows the public's right to information.

"Know what is allowed in an executive session, site the O.R.S., any information outside of that is up for grabs," said Gomez.

Skoubo, who shoots action and sports, knows that inexperienced photographers are often unsure of where they can or should position themselves at an event. He suggested that a photographer put themselves where they want to be, within reason, and wait for someone to tell them they can't be there. It’s better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

"When you have a camera around your neck you have immense access to where you can go, as long as you look like you know where you're going," he continued, "If you can stand next to the people that look like they know what they're doing or have the equipment, then that will be the prime area."

The Commuter is a student-run newspaper and is a good first step for a resume and future career in journalism. Those who would like to get involved can contact commuter@linnbenton.edu.