How to Find Ideas for Your Profile Story

By Prof. Mark Grabowskimarkgrabowski.com

Talk to strangers

• Get out of your dorm room or house. Chat up strangers. Start a conversation with the teen bagging your groceries, the woman mixing up your latte or the student in front of you in the cafeteria line. Everyone has a story to tell. Strive to talk to someone new everyday.

Talk to people who know people

Eavesdrop

• Who are people talking about at parties, in the school cafeteria, in dorm hallways? There’s probably at least one thing you’ve overheard this past week about someone doing something noteworthy or interesting that could make a good profile story.

Browse bulletin boards

• At school, in the public library, in grocery stores, etc. You might see an interesting event being organized and it might be worth profiling the organizer.

Utilize social media

• Mine social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to find out who people are talking about.

Read alumni updates

• For schools you attended or programs you were involved with. Alumni often send in brief notes about their accomplishments and what they’ve been up to. There may be someone who’s done something newsworthy.

See what other media are covering• For example, Newsday last

year had a cover story about an Adelphi alum who won a contest to produce a Super Bowl commercial. A student journalist could have profiled him, focusing on how his Adelphi education shaped his career.

• Also, look at the university’s press releases. There are lots of people doing great things who could be great to profile.