It’s one thing to help resolve a current issue by writing about it and bringing its attention to the public, but it’s another to take action and make a change by personally stepping in and getting involved. Joe Dennis’s career in journalism gives him the opportunity to experience real world events first hand. Joe believes strongly in the power of making connections and that as a result it will get you far in any part of life, especially in the journalism industry.
In an interview Joe said, “One of the most important things that you can do is every time you contact someone just be very friendly with them and make sure you save their phone numbers in your phone and who they are and what they work for, because you never know when a source could come through for you.”
This attitude opened many doors for him and allowed him access to more viewpoints and situations. In one instance because of a relationship he’d previously built, he was called to report on a meth-lab drug bust to get the chance to spend 20 hours with a unit. He’s also
had the opportunity to speak to many celebrities, including: John Mayer, Chris Jericho, and Isaiah Thomas. One of the most impactful people he’s reported on however, is a judge.
Joe spent several months checking in with and writing about a judge who was on the waitlist for an organ transplant. He got to know the family well and would bond over dinners together, updating his writing as to his status and current position on the waitlist. Tragically, the judge was not able to make it through to the top of the waitlist and passed away.
Joe remarked on how this impacted him to take action, “…he died when he was number 12 on the waitlist. When he died that really was powerful to me and that day I became an organ donor. I went to the drivers license facility and became an organ donor just because I saw the impact that organ donation can really have on people, how few organ donors there are and how it would have just taken a few more people to keep him alive.”
Joe Dennis’s experiences as a journalist demonstrate that reporting is about more than telling stories, but about building meaningful connections, understanding people’s lives, and telling their stories through their lens. Through his dedication to developing personal relationships, he gained unique opportunities that shaped both his career and his perspective on life. His story shows how journalism doesn’t just inform the public but inspires personal action and meaningful change.
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