Thanks to the generosity of Noozhawk readers, even in the middle of all the chaos and uncertainties in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial commitment by our Hawks Club members enabled us to grow our news staff at the exact moment we — and you — needed it most.
Our first new hire was staff writer Jade Martinez-Pogue, who joined us in June after graduating remotely from UC Santa Barbara.
Where did you grow up? Why did you choose UCSB? And what drew you to journalism?
I grew up in Sacramento, about a mile away from the Capitol. But I wanted a change in environment, and UCSB is too beautiful of a school to pass up. I started taking journalism classes my junior year of college after I realized the Econ and Accounting major wasn’t for me.
After participating in an international reporting trip to Germany through the Professional and Continuing Education program, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in journalism. Being out in the field for the first time, setting up interviews in a foreign country, and learning so much about German history just by walking the streets and talking to residents, I knew that journalism was a field where I could learn something new every day.
It excited me, it inspired me, and it really forged a path for my journalistic career.
What inspires you as a journalist?
I get inspired most when I interview people about what they are truly passionate about. When I speak with them and see how deeply involved they are in any given topic, it really makes me feel like the work I do is important.
I love knowing that the stories I write have the ability to educate and make a difference in people’s lives.
What was it like to start your career in the middle of a catastrophic pandemic? How did you prepare yourself for the challenge?
When I started my professional career, we were just three months into the COVID-19 pandemic. We still didn’t know much about it, and guidelines and restrictions were changing almost every day. Having such a welcoming and supportive team at Noozhawk really helped me adapt to all the challenges that the crisis brought. My colleagues were there to walk me through the ins and outs of journalism and they continue to be there for me every step of the way.
What is a lesson you’ve learned professionally so far?
How to work in a fast-paced environment. I used to like to have everything planned out in front of me with a set schedule for each day. Working at Noozhawk has taught me how to be more flexible and adaptive.
While it was daunting and a bit overwhelming at first, it’s one of the greatest skills that I think I have acquired.
What story or stories are you most proud of?
My Santa Barbara district election story that was part of a larger Noozhawk project and my advance story about California Coastal Commission nominations. I’m proud of these stories because I think they provided a deeper analysis of their respective issues, and they got readers really thinking about the topics. I am always most proud of the stories that I can see make a difference in our community.
» District Election Advocates Say There’s Still Work to Do to Improve Neighborhood Representation
» Das Williams, Meagan Harmon Compete for Coveted Vacant Seat on California Coastal Commission
What has been your most challenging assignment?
My district election story took weeks of research and multiple interviews. I was still fairly new at Noozhawk when I began working on that assignment, so I had to educate myself on the background of local government before even beginning to think about how I was going to write the story.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Santa Barbara County?
Zaytoon in downtown Santa Barbara. It has such a beautiful outdoor patio, and I love to treat myself to a meal there after a long week at work or after finishing a big assignment.
Where’s your go-to getaway locally?
Since COVID-19, I’ve found myself outdoors a lot more. I love to explore all the beautiful hiking paths and trails in the area on my days off.
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At a time when consumers face a myriad of choices and unprecedented challenges in evaluating the credibility of even basic news coverage, all of us at Noozhawk are committed to providing you with local news and information you can rely on.
We strive to produce fair, accurate and unbiased local journalism that holds power to account while providing you with the facts you need to be an informed, engaged citizen of Santa Barbara County — without a pay wall or other reader restrictions.
That has been our mission since our founding in 2007, and we’re proud to continue that tradition in service to our readers now nearly 14 years later.
Will you help us continue to grow by becoming a Hawks Club member today? With your membership, you’re helping us make a positive impact in the community we love as much as you do, and you just may be helping us hire our next Jade Martinez-Pogue.
From all of us at Noozhawk, thank you.
— Noozhawk publisher Bill Macfadyen can be reached at wmacfadyen@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
