Kevin Smith '94

"It's just as important to know what's going on in the world and to develop the social skills as it is to excel in your field of study."

Were you an undergraduate or graduate student, or both?

Undergraduate student.

Why did you decide to come to Emerson?

I liked the atmosphere of the College and the general vibe of the students who were attending, and I loved the idea of being right in the heart of Boston.

How is Emerson a part of your life today?

I graduated from the Writing, Literature and Publishing Department, and I actually get to do what I majored in. No small feat for a liberal arts major in the current economic climate. On top of that, not only have I remained in touch with classmates, but I have also run into other Emersonians over the course of my career.

Describe a favorite Emerson memory.

I still remember working as the sportscaster on the Friday morning show on WECB. We had a lot of fun in that booth, punchy from working on a short night's sleep. I seem to remember one of the special interest stories that the newscaster read was about mating season for newts in western Mass, and something about the ability of the creature to spontaneously change sexes if there was a shortage of one sex or the other. We were all chuckling a little bit about this in the booth (all of us on maybe five hours of sleep combined), when the deejay caused everyone to lose it when she put on "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls, dedicating it to all the newts in western Mass.

Tell us about an "Emerson Connection."

I have run into several through my career, and as a reporter, I think it's best that I don't reveal my sources...at least not completely.

What is your title and how would you describe what you do to a current undergraduate?

Editor, Professional Surveyor Magazine: I edit stories for a trade magazine that targets surveyors/map-making professionals.

Maryland Correspondent, The Mid-Atlantic Brewing News: In addition to editing a magazine, I also cover the Maryland craft-beer industry, which largely consists of hanging out with the professional brewers around Maryland and writing about what they do. I also write a weekly craft-beer column for Want2Dish.com

Describe a notable achievement in your career.

For someone who has largely been a journeyman reporter, I have been fortunate enough to interview a number of notable personalities in sports and politics. The list includes:

• NFL Films president Steve Sabol
• Former Sixers and Celtics coach Bill O'Brien
• Gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi
• Olympians Kate Sobrero and Shannon Miller
• Republican Committee Chairman Michael Steele
• Maj. General Lester Martinez-Lopez

What are your goals for the future?

To reinvigorate a magazine that has fallen to publishing primarily content provided by advertisers and to help the publisher grow the business and expand the company's offerings.

Describe Emerson in 3 sentences or less.

It might not be for everyone, but it was the ideal place for me.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Relish your time at Emerson and get your work done, but don't be so focused on your work that you miss what's going on around you. When going to a school like Emerson, it's just as important to know what's going on in the world and to develop the social skills as it is to excel in your field of study.

What advice do you have for recent graduates?

Don't be discouraged if you can't get a job in your field of study immediately. Get something that will pay the rent and the bills, and then get involved tangentially if need be. I spent time in marketing, education, and even working in the municipal sector while paying my dues as a reporter for small newspapers in the evenings. It took awhile, but now I have two regular writing gigs, a full-time job as an editor, and have had my work in a number of regional and national publications.