In November, GBJ students met with two exciting guest speakers and enriched their experience with a field trip to two major media organizations. Pulitzer Prize winner and investigative reporter, Deborah Nelson met with students on November 1. She spoke with students about her ethical guidelines and work style—including her tenacity for digging into stories. Nelson spent five years as the Washington Investigations Editor for The Los Angeles Times, has reported for the Washington Post and the Chicago Sun-Times, and now teaches at the University of Maryland.

On November 23rd, students had the opportunity to report on a guest lecture by Albert Ip, managing director of investments, Asia Pacific, at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He spoke about post-financial crisis risk management – a topic that GBJ students found particularly helpful. One student, Jia Qi Bao wrote, “In addition to enlightening curious students about the banking industry, Mr. Ip also candidly shared his insights about the golden rules to succeed in competitive career fields like banking.”

Thirteen students rounded out their busy month by taking a field trip to two major media organizations on November 29. The first stop was The Global Times, where senior editors Patrick Kearn and Cong Mu encouraged students to submit freelance features. The group also went to the Caixin Media Company, a new venture that is releasing a website and two new magazines: New Century Weekly and China Reform. Editors there also urged students to apply for internships.