On December 4, City Desk Editor of Frederick News Post, Pete McCarthy visited Lancer Media to talk to students about his journalism career.

“I started journalism off in a high school class for a year and didn’t think I would continue journalism later in my life. In college, I got involved in a journalism class and then started working for the college newspaper.”

McCarthy graduated in 1997 from Voorhees High School in New Jersey and continued his education at Rowan University where he graduated in 2002.

McCarthy was a Press Secretary for US Senator, Frank Lautenberg. He went on to work as a Public Relations reporter in Washington, D.C. for about a year. McCarthy enjoyed his time working as a reporter there, but it involved lots of politics which he didn’t find very fun.

He then went on to work at Frederick News Post in 2010 as a reporter. McCarthy was then promoted to Community Engagement and then City Editor in 2012. 

Towards the end of the interview, McCarthy gave advice to the class in how to start their careers.

“Ask lots of questions. That’s the first step. The second is knowing how to write a story that draws people in. People can help you write your story, but they won’t be there to help you ask questions.”