Taylor Barton

I first heard about and then met Taylor through our mutual friend Christine (who has also been an incredibly thoughtful and supportive colleague during my entire time in the Talent team). Incredible women in my circle know so many other incredible women, and this is the first time I had a chance to connect beyond my immediate circle for the Spotlight Series. 

Taylor is currently a Master’s student, and was a Helzel Family Foundation Fellow in her first year at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. I ask her about her journey to this point, and she tells me that her career started in and centered around theater for several years. She was working on the road with a sexual assault prevention education company or more appropriately, a social justice organization,, but as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, layoffs prompted her return home. This forced pause allowed her to reflect on her career, and realize that she was burning out and that her passion for storytelling needed a new medium. 

She briefly worked in the non-profit sector before fully committing to journalism. Within the first week of classes, she knew that journalism was her true calling, a realization that this was something very different from what she had done before. 

Her academic journey reflects the evolution of her career. She began her undergraduate studies as a psychology major, dabbling in student films, and even considered moving to California to pursue acting full-time. However, she ultimately decided to stay in school, a decision she now views as both significant and positive. After taking a year off, she transferred to Columbia College in Chicago. Growing up in a small Michigan town with a population of just 1,300 people, Chicago’s vibrancy and the diverse stories captivated her.

When asked about any missteps or learnings along the way, she reflects on her reluctance to push herself out of her comfort zone during her education and early career. She chose paths where she didn’t have to stretch as much as she could. If given the chance, she would go back and take bigger swings and embrace the process of stumbling in her growth. Acting had come relatively easy to her; in contrast, journalism challenges her, forcing her to continuously grow and adapt.

She draws significant inspiration from many of her mentors, including Joanne Derbort, one of the first women in many newsrooms, winning the Pulitzer for her work in California.. Joanne’s encouragement—particularly in pointing out to Taylor that she has "ink in her veins"—has been a guiding force, as she navigates her current journalism studies. 

She is mindful of habits that allow her to take off her "reporter hat" and focus on her well-being. This is especially critical given the emotional toll of covering heavy topics such as mental health and public safety. She enjoys walking her dog and spending time with her supportive fiancé and friends. 

I ask her about influences, and she tells me about her father. They talk about every story she writes, and she values both his advice and the challenges he poses to her views. These conversations remind her of the importance of having strong opinions while also interrogating one’s perspective.

Looking ahead, she hopes to balance developing a local beat while engaging in investigative work. She is currently part of the Investigative Reporting Program at Berkeley, where she’s focused on in-depth stories aiming to create impactful work. As she grows in her field she wants to continue to advocate for sustainable journalism that is not hindered by burnout. She also cares deeply about how crucial it is for people to engage critically with local news media, and she wants to find ways to uplift this practice and celebrate curiosity.