Mario Miguel, a student at BYU-Idaho, is just completing his term as the student representative on the Idaho Press Club board.
Interviewed by Melissa Davlin
Hometown?
I was born in California but grew up in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. I have grown to love the West, however, and plan to stay on this side of the country for as long as I can.
Current job?
I am a staff reporter for BYU-Idaho Scroll, our student news organization. I cover crime/courts.
What brought you to Idaho?
I came to Idaho four years ago to study at BYU-Idaho. I am a senior studying communication and will graduate in December.
What first drew you to journalism?
I have always been drawn to politics and current events as they were frequent topics of conversation at home. My dad studied journalism and was a radio reporter when he was young. Naturally my brothers and I all gravitated towards the communications field, especially writing. I was originally studying data science but found I wasn’t very good at programming, so I switched majors twice until I found myself in the journalism program.
What’s your dream job?
I’m not sure if I have one dream job, there are several things I would like to do in my life. I would love to write for Deseret News and/or do investigative journalism at a local level. I am also considering careers in law or law enforcement. At some point in my life, I want to have my own commercial climbing gym.
Who is your journalism hero, and why?
I really look up to Nate Eaton at East Idaho News. I admire how he became the expert on the Daybell case. Even though he is a local reporter, he’s been the guy much of the country has gone to for information about the trial and I hope I can do something similar in the future.
Do you have any pets?
I had a rabbit as a kid, but aside from that, no.
Hobbies?
Since I started college, I started rock climbing and practicing jiu jitsu. I also love to read about history, politics and interesting people.
